With the goal of raising environmental awareness through sport and physical activity, the Fit4Green project brings together university sports organizations and educational institutions to promote sustainable practices on campuses. Led by the EUSA Institute, the project involves six partner organizations from Austria, Latvia, Slovenia, Germany, and Sweden, each contributing their expertise in sports, education, and sustainability. Over an 18-month period, the project focuses on organizing green campus sport events and creating a Green Campus Sport Event Concept Catalogue to provide sustainable ideas and solutions for grassroots sports events.

On January 24 and 25, the Fit4Green team gathered in Munich, Germany, for an in-person meeting to discuss the next steps of the project, exchange ideas, and inspire one another. The meeting took place at the Impact Hub Munich, a venue known for its strong focus on sustainability and community. The Impact Hub provided a collaborative and innovative environment, perfectly aligning with the project’s mission to promote eco-conscious lifestyles and sustainable practices.  

The first day of the meeting focused on applying the people-centered project methodology to Fit4Green project. The team reviewed the project timeline and task distribution, reiterating their commitment to co-creation in planning the green campus sport events. These events aim to raise awareness about healthy and eco-conscious lifestyles, emphasizing the transformative power of nature and sports.  

The team also examined other good practices and initiatives, like the City, Green, Go! project and its toolkit as a reference for ensuring the sustainability of Fit4Green events. Brainstorming sessions were held to generate event ideas and discuss ways to promote sustainable habits among participants.  

In the evening, the team enjoyed a traditional Bavarian dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a short visit to the city center to see the iconic Munich Town Hall. This cultural experience provided a relaxing break and strengthened the bonds among team members.  

The second day began with discussions on project reporting and mitigation strategies for potential risks. The team also arranged communication strategies between partners and their respective events. They explored ways to disseminate event-related information and project results, ensuring maximum impact and visibility. Finally, the team agreed on methods to evaluate and report the impact of the project and its events.  

We are grateful for the productive and inspiring two days in Munich, and especially to InnovationsManufaktur for hosting the meeting. Nowadays, sustainability and the climate crisis are ever-present topics, and it could sometimes feel overwhelming. Yet, it’s vital to keep striving for change, no matter how small the steps may seem. With the Fit4Green project, we are putting our best efforts together to collectively make meaningful progress toward a more sustainable and liveable future for everyone.

FitGreen is Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. For more information, please see https://fit4green.eusa.eu.