Nordic Walking-Healthy Living

Project targeted and empowered approx. 260 volunteers, coaches, managers and staff of non-profit sports organizations. It was implemented in Croatia, Austria, and Poland. The project was focused on: strengthening capacity of Nordic Walking (NW) trainers/coaches for developing and implementing enhanced NW training methodology through their participation in the Best practices exchange workshops; strengthening capacity of administrative staff of non-profit sports organizations from partner organizations on good governance of sport associations and development and implementation of new innovative NW programmes; promoting new NW programmes by strengthening, motivating and educating volunteers already involved in project partners organization activities. We have informed general public regarding benefits of NW as an effective and efficient mode of concurrent exercise to improve overall functional fitness, regardless age or gender. Within the Best practice exchange meetings (BPEM) experts in kinesiology and health offered a non-formal education to target groups on: sports management at local, regional and national levels; possibilities in funding of sports at local, regional and national level; government regulations and National strategy for sport, HEPA implementation in project partner countries; visibility, low cost marketing options -how to combine tourism and sports; Nordic walking techniques, organization of various programmes, adaptation of NW programme for all age and gender groups and how to involve disabled persons and volunteers into NW. Through BPEM target groups were presented with all benefits of physical activities as means of general health improvement and social skills development, resulting in the success of all project partner organizations in soft skill upgrade of the participants. All directly or indirectly involved stakeholders supported the project, on their specific professional grounds. BPEM included volunteers who will be able to use the knowledge gained in their future professional engagement. The project contributed to a communication with the decision-makers who proposed adequate measures for promoting NW as a physical exercise that is suitable for all, irrespective of age, gender or physical condition. The innovative element was the inclusion of target groups in the BPEM which proved to be a strong support in gaining new skills for the administrative staff in the field of EU and national funding, connecting organizations activities with other industries. NW trainers/coaches gained skills to create new programs and to adapt the implementation of programs to persons with special needs (partially blind). At the same time, the network of stakeholders, the transfer of best practices, knowledge and experiences among partners and all good solutions contributed to a wider reach and impact of the project. An evaluation of the non – formal education was performed through surveying target groups and, subsequently, using the received data for creating the Nordic Walking Programme Booklet, with the aim of maintaining the sustainability of the project results. Project outcomes were presented during 4th TPM in Croatia which gathered over 700 participants and 80 volunteers. We prepared visibility tools: logo, leaflets, posters, roll up-s, t-shirts, web page, certificates of attendance, etc. Through social media and appearances on local and national TV in project countries we presented results. The main conclusion from the Nordic Walking Programme Booklet is that “The Nordic Walking Programme implemented within the project Nordic Walking – Healthy Living has confirmed, despite a short term of implementation, progress in certain measured health parameters. Due to a clearly positive impact on health condition, a low risk of injuries, availability and a relatively easy learning technique, Nordic Walking is the ideal recreational physical activity for both genders of all age groups and different levels of fitness”