What is Active and Equal? - Active and Equal

“Active and Equal” is a two-year joint European Union – Council of Europe project dedicated to mainstreaming women’s health and well-being in sport. Building on the momentum of previous initiatives for gender equality in sport, "Active and Equal" breaks new ground as the first Europe-wide project to tackle the long-neglected topic of women’s health in sport. Its mission is to ensure that girls and women of all ages can participate in sport safely, confidently, and free of stigma at every stage of life, making sport a true vehicle for health, inclusion and equality.

"Active and Equal" responds to a recognised gap in the sport sector: while Europe has made strides in promoting women’s participation and leadership in sport, there has been a systemic oversight of women’s specific health needs: from menstruation to maternity to menopause. This project addresses that gap through a comprehensive strategy that links policy, practice and public awareness. The overall objective is to integrate a women’s health lens into sports policy and practice across the continent. By doing so, "Active and Equal" helps sports institutions create environments where women and girls can thrive, leading to greater long-term participation and a more gender-equal sport culture.

Women and girls remain less active than men across Europe, and research shows that health-related factors are a significant piece of the puzzle. From teenage girls dropping out of sport due in part to unmanaged menstrual issues, to adult women struggling to return to exercise after childbirth without guidance, to mid-life women feeling unwelcome in fitness spaces: the need for action is clear. Moreover, recent European studies have highlighted persistent gender gaps in sport and called for targeted measures. "Active and Equal" directly answers these calls. This focus aligns with European policy priorities, notably, the EU Work Plan for Sport 2024-27 which prioritises gender equality and health, and the Council of Europe’s sport ministerial resolutions urging member States to adapt sport to participants’ real needs.

Pillars

The project is structured around three mutually reinforcing pillars:

Mapping and Needs Assessment

"Active and Equal" will carry out the first-ever cross-European mapping of women’s health in sport. Through surveys, consultations and research in participating countries, the project will collect data on the barriers women and girls face, whether physical (e.g. ill-fitting facilities, training schedules that ignore menstrual cycles) or social (taboos and lack of awareness). Each country will produce a National Report identifying gaps and good practices, and these will feed into a European Mapping Report. This evidence base will guide policy-makers and sport bodies on where interventions are most needed.

Toolkit and Capacity-Building

"Active and Equal" will develop a Women’s Health in Sport Toolkit, accompanied by a modular training curriculum for sports professionals. This practical toolkit, co-created with experts and tested in the field, will provide coaches, physical education teachers, sport doctors and club managers with the knowledge and tools to support female athletes’ health needs. Training sessions will be rolled out in each partner country to build capacity and confidence among those who work with girls and women in sport. By investing in education, the project addresses the current lack of professional know-how, ensuring that sport staff are prepared to foster inclusive and health-sensitive environments for women and girls.

Awareness and Visibility

Complementing the evidence and training components, "Active and Equal" will launch a Europe-wide awareness-raising campaign to break the silence and stigma around women’s health in sport. This pillar will leverage the power of storytelling and role models: an Ambassadors’ programme will bring forward inspiring women from the sports world, such as athletes, coaches, referees, who will share their personal stories and champion the message that topics like periods, pregnancy, or menopause should not be taboo in sport. A series of short, engaging video clips will feature these role models across different life stages, highlighting real experiences and solutions.

Partners

Geared with a strong coalition of partners, including sports ministries, health experts, national Olympic Committees, sport federations, universities, and NGOs, "Active and Equal" is truly pan-European in scope. Six pilot countries will lead the implementation, representing different regions and contexts, ensuring that the project’s approach is adaptable and relevant to all. The project will also coordinate with other initiatives to maximise synergies and avoid duplication.

Objectives

The project aims for a lasting impact: sport environments that are more inclusive, more responsive to women’s health, and ultimately more empowering for women and girls. "Active and Equal" will pave the way for more women and girls to lead active, healthy lives in and through sport, benefiting individual well-being and enriching the sporting community as a whole with greater gender equality.

Mainstream women’s health in sport policies and practices by addressing physical, social, and institutional barriers across Europe.

Improve sport environments for girls and women through research-driven recommendations and national needs assessments.

Equip sport professionals with knowledge and tools to support female athletes' health across life stages.

Raise awareness and challenge taboos around menstruation, pregnancy, menopause and more, through storytelling and public campaigns.

Promote cross-sector collaboration among sport, health, education and equality stakeholders to drive systemic change.

Advance gender equality in sport by integrating a health-focused, inclusive approach into national and European strategies.