Research & Projects

Erasmus+ project „STANDOUT“

31. October 2025
Standards for Outdoor Sports Cities and Urban Areas

Outdoor sports are a key driver for health, social cohesion, and environmental awareness. They not only improve physical and mental well-being but also strengthen communities by creating spaces where people meet, share experiences, and connect with nature. By investing in outdoor sports, cities can enhance liveability, attract visitors and talent, and promote a more active, inclusive, and sustainable urban lifestyle.

The Erasmus+ project STANDOUT aims to develop standards for cities and municipalities that promote outdoor sports and active, healthy lifestyles in urban environments.The project’s focus areas include:

  • integrating outdoor sports into urban planning with a focus on inclusion, participation, and sustainability
  • transforming urban environments by encouraging cities to adopt minimum standards and an accreditation system aligned with the European Green Deal
  • promoting cross-sector collaboration and the use of digital tools to exchange knowledge and foster innovation.

The project runs for three years (January 2024 – December 2026) and is coordinated by the European Network of Outdoor Sports (ENOS).
In addition to Mountainbike Forum Germany e. V., partner organizations from Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Serbia, and the Czech Republic are involved.

Visit the official project page
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Focus Areas of the Project

Movement & Health

STANDOUT promotes a healthy and active lifestyle through accessible, well-designed urban green spaces that encourage movement, relaxation, and outdoor activity for all.

Transformation

STANDOUT supports the transformation of cities into vibrant, green, and active spaces through civic participation, nature-based design, and long-term ecological sustainability.

Nature

STANDOUT emphasizes the integration of natural elements into urban spaces — bringing nature closer to people’s daily lives and strengthening biodiversity within cities.

Inclusion

STANDOUT promotes the creation of inclusive and accessible green and blue spaces that welcome all members of society, regardless of age, gender, background, or physical ability.

Target Groups

Direct Target Groups

  • Project partners
  • Local cross-sector stakeholders in participating countries, including:
    • Citizens (both active and inactive)
    • Grassroots sports clubs, training providers, educational institutions, and municipalities
    • Urban planners and local authorities
    • Environmental and conservation organizations
    • Professionals from the health and social care sectors
Indirect Target Groups

  • Regional and municipal authorities across Europe
  • Residents and citizens of cities and urban regions

Implementation Activities

Research

  • Definition of outdoor sports and their role in urban contexts
  • Identification of motivators and barriers to participation
  • Compilation and analysis of good practices

Knowledge Exchange

  • Mutual learning and experience sharing among partners
  • Engagement of local stakeholders
  • Site visits and transnational meetings to discuss best practices

Standards Development

  • Creation of standards for blue, green, and white infrastructure
  • Guidelines for urban policies and projects
  • Development of a self-assessment tool for municipalities

Communication & Dissemination

  • Public relations, outreach, and webinars
  • Sharing outcomes and tools with municipalities and stakeholders across Europe

Further Effects and Benefits

  • Development of urban green and blue spaces that are open and accessible to all
  • Creation of strategies to increase participation in outdoor sports, emphasizing sustainability
  • Strengthening of the grassroots sports sector to meet growing demand inclusively and safely
  • Collaboration with the health sector to integrate outdoor activity into preventive health strategies
  • Implementation of programs promoting sustainability and outdoor participation
  • Ensuring outdoor activities are accessible and appealing to diverse social groups
  • Establishment of systems that guarantee fair and equal access to outdoor activities for everyone

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.

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Project partners

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