Healthy European and Physically Active Kid

HEPAKid is a project that aimed to address the Erasmus+ Sport objective to “support the mobility of managers and staff of non-profit sport organisations” especially by “supporting the implementation of EU PA Guidelines.”The project’s overall objective was to raise awareness about the importance of HEPA for preschool children (3-7 years). The specific objectives were: 1. To establish a long-term network for promotion and implementation of HEPA for preschool children 2. To develop, implement and exchange good practices for HEPA for preschool children 3. To enable innovative synergy with national focal points for EU Physical Activity Guidelines.The project succeeded to reach all three specific objectives. The long-term network has been initiated throughout the continuous communication among project partners. Good practices were prepared as a part of HEPAKid programme. Las but not least we have initiated a partnership with the national focal point for EU PA Guidelines in Croatia - Croatian Institute for Public Health (CIPH).Participants of the project were 40 children (13 Croatia, 13 Czech Republic, 14 Italy) 5-12 years old who were involved in the implementation of the HEPAKid programme. Participants were measured in three stages and they showed progress in precision, balance and explosive power while agility did not show statistically significant progress.The project was implemented in all three countries at project partners' facilities - according to the plan.As an outcome the project delivered:HEPAKid programme with good practices included. This was team work made by the whole project team. Besides this, we have been very active on social media, mainly on Facebook and the project teams' websites. Furthermore, the project was promoted during the European Week of Sport in all three partner countries - HEPAKid programme, and many other additional sport activities were executed. Apart from the aforementioned successes, we have initiated a partnership with the national focal point for EU PA Guidelines in Croatia - CIPH. An added value to the project is brought by presenting the project outcomes at the International Scientific Conference Effects of Applying Physical Activity on Anthropological Status of Children, Adolescents and Adults in December 2018, Belgrade. Pledge Boards were developed for contribution to HEPAKid project and thus, were signed by all project partners together with the project coordinator. New Erasmus+ projects were prepared and granted for 2019 - HEPA2RKids. Three transnational meetings gave an additional value to the project - not only project monitoring was held, but the networking among project team was enhanced and much more constructive. The project outcomes delivered the following impacts: Project team exchanged good practices, skills and knowledge and they were used for improving our HEPA programme and adapting it to local circumstances. Children developed habits of being physically active as from early age, which increase chances of staying physically active in older age. Their families were informed about the importance of physical activity and thus retained motivated to keep children engaged in sport.Regarding the combination of project consortium, it was a success to have a multi sectoral combination - local sport club, local kindergarten and local university. Success was achieved through exchange of good practices, skills and knowledge.During and after the project, project partners and the coordinator have been in close communication and thus exchanged specific skills and knowledge needed for implementation of international projects and working with children. Future recommendations are aimed at retainment of the collaboration.