European pathways to active and performing workplaces

On Tuesday, December 2nd, in Brussels, the European Federation for Company Sport (EFCS) hosted the final conference of the European projects Move at Work  (M@W) and Work, Move & Perf  (WMP). Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Sport programme of the European Commission, these two major projects—coordinated respectively by EFCS and the French Federation for Company Sport  (FFSE)—brought together researchers, public decision-makers, companies, and sport stakeholders with a shared goal: making physical activity at work a core driver of health, workplace well-being, and organizational performance in Europe.

More active workplaces: a European challenge

The conference opened with a series of keynote interventions, emphasizing the importance of European-level action:

Eva Jacomet

Head of European Affairs, Sport and Citizenship Think Tank, and moderator, highlighted that workplace physical activity is not only a health matter but a societal priority, fostering inclusion, social cohesion, and overall quality of life.

Stefano Pintus

Policy officer at the European Commission, reminded participants that physical activity declines in adulthood due to work and life responsibilities, highlighting the need for structured workplace initiatives and policies.

Musa Lami

Secretary general of EFCS, highlighted the federation’s mission and long-standing work in European networking and corporate sport cooperation since 1962.

Charlotte Frueh-Richardot

Project manager, presented key statistics:

• 42–55% of European adults do not meet physical activity recommendations
• Only 11% practice physical activity at work
• 100% of leaders who implemented workplace PA programs recommend them

Three panels: linking science, practice, and public policy

Panel 1 – Scientific evidence: health, well-being, and performance

The first panel presented scientific foundations through
the Copenhagen Consensus and the Work, Move & Perf study:

Dr. Adam B. Evans, University of Copenhagen, highlighted current workplace physical activity programmes and the key role of organizational culture, managerial support, and employee engagement.

Dr. Salvador Angosto Sánchez, University of Murcia, shared quantitative results showing significant differences between active and sedentary employees in absenteeism, presenteeism, and annual costs per employee.

Frank Vandaele, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, emphasized the benefits of physical activity for mental health, stress and burnout prevention, and the importance of fostering community.

Scientific conclusion:

Workplace physical activity is a proven lever for performance and well-being, with practical tools now available for organizations. It should be understood within a physical literacy framework, including:

• Positive effects on individual physical and mental health
• Strengthening team cohesion
• Improving organizational performance

Panel 2 – Implementing workplace physical activity: best practices and solutions

The second panel featured company sport ambassadors from France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, sharing practical insights:

Silke Veeckman, project manager at Fros Multisport Vlaanderen (Belgium), presented Belgian tools for needs analysis and evaluation, as well as an online platform to share best practices.

Martine Schuijer, director of Stichting Nederland Onderneemt Maatschappelijk! (Netherlands), highlighted linking physical activity with other health and inclusion priorities, and showcased free resources for national and European engagement.

Victoria Isitt, development officer at FFSE, shared her experience supporting companies, emphasizing the need for innovation and adaptation to new work realities, including remote work and multisite organizations.

Key takeaway: Scaling workplace physical activity requires clear tools, committed leadership, and strategies adapted to different organizational contexts.

Panel 3 – Building a sustainable network of company sport ambassadors

The final panel looked beyond the projects, toward a structured European community:

Aurélia Fischer & Alister Dalrymple, vice president and secretary general, Swiss Federation for Company Sport / Evaleo, presented updates to Active Workplaces Certification criteria, integrating physical activity into CSR strategies.

Simon De Coster, international projects officer, Sport Vlaanderen, shared preliminary findings from a European report on government-led workplace physical activity initiatives.

Vincent Fohal, sports project officer, Municipality of Ixelles, illustrated the role of public authorities in driving active workplaces, with Ixelles being an Active Workplace-certified municipality since 2021.

Message: Sustainable impact relies on cooperation, shared commitments, and common tools, from local to European levels.

Active break

Just a few minutes of movement can help reconnect and relax: participants enjoyed an active yoga session led by Charlotte Frueh-Richardot.

Next steps: free resources to take action

This final conference marked the conclusion of a key phase and the launch of a legacy for research and cooperation projects. To develop more active workplaces across Europe, a full set of practical and accessible resources is available:

Studies and infographics

On the impact of physical activity on employee productivity and organizational performance:

Move at work – EFCS

European studies

Infographics on physical activity and performance

Move at work Guide

E-learning platform (MOOC)

with insights, tools, and success factors for effective workplace physical activity programmes:

MOOC Move at work

Open access to Active Workplaces Certification criteria

allowing organizations to assess and benchmark their initiatives:

Active Workplaces Certification

Move at Work supporters’ pledge

inviting organizations and individuals to promote workplace physical activity based on Copenhagen Consensus principles:

MOOC Move at work

 Revoir la conférence en replay

These resources provide practical tools for transforming workplaces into active, healthy, and high-performing environments, enhancing employee health, well-being, and productivity.

Thank you to all speakers, partners, and participants for supporting more active, healthier, and high-performing workplaces in Europe.

The Move At Work (M@W) project, coordinated by the European Federation for Company Sport (EFCS), is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Sport programme. It aims to democratize physical activity in the workplace by providing a European overview of workplace physical activity programmes and offering practical tools and guidance for their implementation.

The EFCS is implementing the project together with eight partner organizations: the European Network for Innovation and Knowledge (Netherlands), Evaleo (Switzerland), the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (Belgium), the Sport and Citizenship think tank (Belgium), Stichting NLOM! (Netherlands), the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), and the World Federation for Company Sport (France).

The Work, Move & Perf (WMP) project, coordinated by the French Federation for Company Sport (FFSE), is also co-funded by the Erasmus+ Sport programme. It is the first European-level scientific study to analyze the effects of physical activity on individual productivity and organizational performance.

The FFSE is implementing the project with eight partner organizations: the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), the University of Murcia (Spain), the European Federation for Company Sport (France), the Association for Sport in Free Time (Bulgaria), the French National Olympic Committee (France), the Sports Association of the Bank of France (France), the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport (Malta), and the European Network for Innovation and Knowledge (Netherlands).

European Pathways to Active and Performing Workplaces

Brussels — Tuesday, 2 December 2025, 15:00–18:00

Join us in Brussels for the final conference of the Erasmus+ Sport projects Move@Work (M@W)  and Work, Move & Perf (WMP) — a unique opportunity to explore how physical activity can drive healthier, more active and better-performing workplaces across Europe.

This event will bring together European experts, project partners, policymakers and employers to share evidence, tools and good practices on the benefits and implementation of physical activity at work.

Programme

Moderate by: Eva Jacomet, Head of the EU Affairs – Think tank Sport et Citizenship

From 14:30: Welcoming & registration

15:00: Official opening

• Stefano Pintus, Policy Officer – Sport Unit, DG EAC European Commission
• Didier Besseyre, President – European and World Federation for Company Sport (EFCS, WFCS)

15:50-16:10: Active & coffee break

17:00: Q&A

17:50: Q&A

18:00: Conclusions

Cocktail & Networking

About the Move@Work Project (M@W)

The Move At Work (M@W) project, coordinated by the European Federation for Company Sport (EFCS), is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Sport programme. It aims to democratize physical activity in the workplace by providing a European overview of workplace physical activity programmes and offering practical tools and guidance for their implementation.

The EFCS is implementing the project together with eight partner organizations: the European Network for Innovation and Knowledge (Netherlands), Evaleo (Switzerland), the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (Belgium), the Sport and Citizenship think tank (Belgium), Stichting NLOM! (Netherlands), the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), and the World Federation for Company Sport (France).

About the Work, Move & Perf Project (WMP)

The Work, Move & Perf (WMP) project, coordinated by the French Federation for Company Sport (FFSE), is also co-funded by the Erasmus+ Sport programme. It is the first European-level scientific study to analyze the effects of physical activity on individual productivity and organizational performance.

The FFSE is implementing the project with eight partner organizations: the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), the University of Murcia (Spain), the European Federation for Company Sport (France), the Association for Sport in Free Time (Bulgaria), the French National Olympic Committee (France), the Sports Association of the Bank of France (France), the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport (Malta), and the European Network for Innovation and Knowledge (Netherlands).

Don’t miss this opportunity!

Join us on 2 December 2025 in Brussels and be part of the conversation shaping the future of active and performing workplaces in Europe.
Seats are limited — register now to secure your place and connect with leading experts, innovators, and decision-makers driving change across the continent.

Registration

A DURABLE, CREDIBLE AND RELIABLE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME FOR WORKPLACES AT A EUROPEAN LEVEL REGARDING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AT WORK.

The Workplace Active Certification (WAC) is accessible to all organisations, irrespective of their size, location, culture, sector of activity, or social and economic situation. The certification was created by European Federation for Company Sport, the leading organisation in promoting sport at EU level.

In its first pilot year, the WAC certification has been granted to 13 European organisations.

November of 2023 will see new certification awarded in Brussels. This, in the presence of European authorities and key players in corporate sport at European level. The attached flyer gives you an overview of the certification process.

These are the main benefits of this certification highlighted by last year’s recipients and this year’s candidates:

• Helps to take a step back and take stock of the actions implemented internally
• Provides indicators and criteria for assessing your sports policy
• Enhances your commitment and promotes your image as an active sports employer
• Enhances your employer brand, so that you can use it as a lever for attractiveness, recruitment and loyalty, in an increasingly demanding HR – CSR – QWL context.
• Provides pieces of advice, best practices and testimonials from other certified organisations and certification stakeholders (EFCS, auditors, etc.) to help you move forward

In addition, this will allow you to join a network of corporate sports “ambassadors” in Europe Details of the certification process (you may consult all the regulations).

1) An introductory online questionnaire, which once completed, will have to validated by the certification team.

2) Once this has been validated, you will receive your login details to complete the form: once the criteria are completed they shal be posted on our digital platform (List of criteria)

3) These answers will be studied by our auditors, who will then invite you to a certification interview (4 hours by videoconference, involving various players in your organisation) to clear up doubts and provide answers.

4) Once approved, the certification is valid for 3 years. You will have to update the WAC team annually with evidence of your progress.

What are you waiting for?

The first #MoveatWork conference, an Erasmus+ project supported by the European Commission, was organised during the European Corporate Sport Games in Bordeaux. It was hosted on June 15th at the Palais de la Bourse in Bordeaux and gave floor to various speakers, who expressed their wish “to encourage companies and their teams to adopt active lifestyles”.

Move at Work was created because of the following figures:

Stakeholders

The FFSE and EFCS President Didier Besseyre opened the conference by mentioning the importance of physical activity in occupational settings. He was followed by Yves Le Lostecque, Head of the Erasmus Mundus-Sport Unit and representative of the European Commission, and by Patrick Seguin, President of the Bordeaux Gironde Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The first round table brought together

• Marie Christine Oghly, PWorld Association of Women Entrepreneurs (FCEM) President,Vice Chair ICC-World Chambers Federation,
• Marie-Cécile Tardieu, Chief Operating Officer Business France Invest,
• Andris Bērziņš, PFormer Prime Minister of Latvia (2000-2002), Mayor of Riga (1997-2000) & Vice-President of the Latvian Federation for Company Sport.
• Céline Micouin, Advisor to the President of MEDEF.

Following this, Jennifer Braem, UFS Director (Universe of Fitness & Sport) at Groupe Roullier, shared her experience as a WAC certification winner.

To conclude the conference

• Alexandra Heins, EDF Nouvelle Aquitaine Communication manager
• Caroline Jardri, Co-president of the company and sport commission of the MEDEF Gironde, President of the CREPS of Bordeaux (Resource, Expertise and Sports Performance Centers)
• Peder Bisgaard, President of the Danish Federation for Company Sport
• Oliver Serre, Executive Director – Agence régionale de santé Nouvelle-Aquitaine presented a multilateral approach to business sport.

The conference identified a number of obstacles, difficulties and problems encountered by the various players in the field of company sport,. Partners in the Move at Work consortium will be working on these issues in order to find credible and efficient solutions.

Move at Work and its partners across Europe are now committed to extending the WAC certification to more companies and to building a European network of “corporate sport supporters”.

We want to thank Business France and the CCI Bordeaux Gironde, partners of the Conference.

Stay tuned and follow the Move at Work LinkedIn page to keep up to date with project developments and news!

This new M@W adventure is building on the Workplace Active Certification‘s success. This new Erasmus+ project launched on January 2023 will last 3 years.
Its goal is to promote the implementation of physical activity in the workplace. The consortium, led by the FFSE, gathered 8 partners from 5 different countries to meet for the 1st time on January 31st, 2023. 

We are delighted to take part in this great project and are ready for new challenges!

Our objectives are:

• To improve knowledge about company sport 
• To improve the WAC certification
• To provide tangible assistance and support
• To guarantee the project’s durability on an international scale
• To build a network of active supporters, symbol of our cross sectorial approach represented by MAW partners’ diversity

Our consortium:

• Evaleo from Switzerland
• Copenhagen University from Denmark
• Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry from Belgium
• Sport and Citizenship from Belgium
• EUNIK from the Netherlands
• NL Onderneemt Maatschappelijk from the Netherlands
• World Federation for Company Sport