Mental Health, Youth Empowerment and Inclusion in Focus at the MOVE Congress 2025.

Beyond its keynote sessions and study visits, the MOVE Congress 2025 will also serve as a meeting point for several European projects and initiatives working to strengthen inclusion, wellbeing, and innovation in grassroots sport. From final conferences to coalition meetings, these events showcase how ISCA and its partners are turning ideas into action across Europe — and how those actions continue to grow beyond project timelines.

ABCs of Mental Health — A Simple Model for Wellbeing

The ABCs of Mental Health project is rooted in a simple yet powerful message: being mentally, socially, and physically active helps protect and strengthen wellbeing.

As part of the MOVE Congress side events, the project meeting will gather partners and the new group of Next Adopters for the first time — marking an important milestone in the journey to expand its reach beyond the original project framework.

This year’s Congress will bring together researchers, project partners, and new adopters from across Europe to explore how the model can continue to grow beyond the project framework. Among the guests are Professor Christina Pollard and Rodney Glossop from Curtin University, where the concept was originally developed.

“Sometimes the hardest part is taking the first step. That’s why #activation in this area is so important,” says Professor Pollard.

The ABCs of Mental Health project presence at MOVE Congress is more than a dissemination activity — it marks the beginning of the next phase of its expansion, bringing science, practice, and policy closer together to inspire new communities to act, belong, and commit.

Icehearts Europe — Building a Support “Village” Around Every Child

Youth mental health will also be a central theme, with Icehearts Europe holding its final conference alongside other MOVE Congress side events and featuring prominently in the Congress programme through sessions moderated by Fiona Chambers from University College Cork. Participants will explore how long-term, sport-based mentorship can prevent social exclusion and foster belonging among children and young people.

Originating in Finland, the Icehearts model has been replicated across five European countries — Estonia, Spain, Italy, Slovenia and Denmark — creating local “villages” of care that connect mentors, schools, and communities. A hands-on session will let participants simulate building an Icehearts village, experiencing how partnerships between schools, mentors, municipalities and families come together in practice.

During the Congress, a study visit is scheduled in Ballerup Municipality, where DGI has established a three-year partnership to expand Icehearts into more clubs, schools and local areas. The project’s closing event will also celebrate a growing legacy: more than 2,200 children have already participated in Icehearts Europe since its launch.

But the project’s story doesn’t end here. Six countries from the Next Adopters group have already committed to implementing Icehearts locally, while current partners are actively seeking ways to sustain and expand their work. New partnerships — such as the collaboration with Ballerup Municipality — will help ensure that Icehearts continues to grow and support more children in the years ahead.

Active Sister Schools Coalition — Strengthening Physically Active Learning

The MOVE Congress will also host the Active Sister Schools Coalition Building Event, led by V4Sport. This side event will unite teachers, organisations, foundations, and policymakers to promote Physically Active Learning (PAL) and its transformative role in education.

Through a panel discussion with teachers from across Europe, the event will share experiences from the Active Sister Schools project and highlight how integrating movement into learning environments boosts student wellbeing and engagement. By opening space for new partnerships and funding opportunities, the event aims to strengthen the case for physically active learning.

Global IRTS (Integration of Refugees Through Sport) and ISCA Awards — Recognising Impact

The Congress will also feature the ISCA Awards connected to the Global IRTS (Integration of Refugees Through Sport) initiative, recognising individuals and organisations using sport to promote inclusion and community resilience. Alongside the awards, Congress sessions will share key insights from the Global IRTS project and the international consensus on best practices for refugee integration through sport.

ChangeMakers — Youth-Led Change in Motion

MOVE Congress will host the first in-person gathering of ChangeMakers, a group of young leaders starting their training journey during the event. This marks the project’s kick-off moment for on-the-ground activity and youth-led engagement. ChangeMakers is a European initiative that empowers individuals from underrepresented communities to become leaders in grassroots sport.