An ageing Europe in motion: why promoting physical activity for older adults is now a social priority

Co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Sport programme.

Across Europe, the population is ageing faster than ever before. Life expectancy has doubled in the last two centuries, the average age continues to rise, and older adults are becoming an increasingly large part of our social fabric. This demographic shift brings with it new responsibilities, new challenges, and—if approached with the right mindset—new opportunities for growth, inclusion, and community well-being.

Within this context, the project Youth & Wisdom – Strength in Unity, Growth in Motion addresses one of the most urgent needs of contemporary Europe: promoting the physical, mental, and social health of older adults through accessible, community-based physical activity programmes.

The essential role of grandparents in European families

Before exploring the health dimension, it is important to recognise a fundamental social reality: grandparents sustain the structure of family life across Europe.

According to SHARE (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe), the involvement of grandparents in childcare is not limited to Southern countries. Even in Austria, Germany, France, Sweden, and Denmark, a significant percentage of older adults take care of their grandchildren at least once a week.

But when we look at daily involvement, Southern Europe leads:

Country	Daily care (%)	1+ day per week (%)
Italy	33.1	47.6
Greece	28.0	48.9
Spain	24.3	37.5
Belgium	16.5	48.3
Germany	15.0	43.2
Austria	12.6	35.6
Switzerland	11.1	37.3
France	9.4	29.7
Sweden	2.9	32.4
Netherlands	2.3	42.9
Denmark	1.6	22.0

This data reveals a common European pattern: grandparents are essential pillars of childcare, particularly in the hours between school and the return of working parents.

And this has a direct connection to sport.

Millions of children practice extracurricular sports, and in countries like Italy, over 70% of young people aged 11–14 participate in regular sports activities (ISTAT, 2017). Who takes them to training? Very often, the grandparents.

This means that while children benefit from sport, many grandparents remain passive observers—spending long periods seated, inactive, and socially isolated despite being physically present in the sports environment.

Aging and health: why physical activity matters more than ever

Ageing naturally brings physical and cognitive decline. Yet, decades of international research show that these processes can be slowed, reduced, or managed effectively through regular physical activity—provided it is adapted to the individual’s age and condition.

Some key findings:

• The American College of Sports Medicine reports that just 1.5 hours of aerobic exercise per week can prevent up to 40 chronic diseases.

• Physical activity can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 50%.

• Studies from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, University of Calgary, University of Edinburgh, Harvard Medical School, and Columbia University confirm that exercise is the most effective strategy to prevent cognitive decline.

• Movement benefits the respiratory, cardiovascular, skeletal, nervous, immune, and endocrine systems.

• Improved balance and mobility drastically reduce the risk of falls, one of the leading causes of loss of independence in older adults.

In short: exercise keeps older adults physically healthy, mentally sharp, and socially connected.

And yet, a large proportion of seniors across Europe remain physically inactive—often due to lack of opportunities, fear of injury, or absence of tailored programmes.

The silent epidemic: loneliness among older adults

Beyond the physical decline, ageing carries a significant social risk: loneliness.

According to the survey Elderly People in Europe Today (Ipsos for Institut du Bien Vieillir Korian):

• 18% of older adults in Europe suffer from loneliness.

• In Italy, the number rises to 26%.

Loneliness is associated with depression, worsening physical health, cognitive impairment, and premature mortality.

Sports, however, offer a powerful countermeasure:they create routine, community, meaningful interactions, and opportunities for intergenerational relationships.

The demographic challenge: Europe is getting older

Eurostat projections show that the average age in the EU will rise from 40.9 years today to 47.2 years by 2060. In Italy, ISTAT expects the average age to reach 49.8 years by 2059.

This shift presents:

• pressure on healthcare systems,

• increased pension expenditure,

• reduced workforce availability,

• greater vulnerability among older adults.

But it also presents something else:

an extraordinary opportunity to build healthier, more connected, more resilient communities—if we invest in the active participation of older adults.

Why Youth & Wisdom responds to a real and urgent need

By analysing demographic trends, social dynamics, and public health data, the project identifies a clear gap:

🔹 Older adults need accessible, safe, enjoyable opportunities to engage in physical activity.🔹 Sports associations often lack structured programmes tailored to seniors.🔹 Grandparents already spend hours each week in sports environments—but remain passive.

From this reality emerges a simple, powerful logic:

If grandparents are already present in sports settings, why not create physical activities for them—together with their grandchildren?

And this is exactly what the project aims to achieve.

A project built on solid needs analysis

The needs identified are:

1. The number of older adults in Europe is increasing.

2. Physical inactivity is widespread among seniors, despite clear evidence of the benefits of exercise.

3. Many older adults are also grandparents, heavily involved in daily family life.

4. Grandparents accompany grandchildren to sports activities, spending long periods waiting.

5. These waiting times can be transformed into active opportunities for health and social connection.

The project Youth & Wisdom responds directly to these needs by promoting:

• active ageing,

• intergenerational bonding,

• the social inclusion of older adults,

• the transformation of passive environments into active ones,

• new competencies among youth workers and sports instructors.

A focus aligned with European priorities

The project fully aligns with the objectives of the Erasmus+ Sport programme and key EU policy frameworks:

• inclusion and diversity,

• health-enhancing physical activity,

• active ageing,

• intergenerational solidarity,

• education through sport,

• community well-being.

By addressing a shared European challenge with an innovative, community-based approach, Youth & Wisdom positions itself as a valuable contribution to the future of social inclusion and healthy ageing in Europe.

a clear challenge, a concrete response

Europe is ageing, but ageing does not have to mean inactivity, loneliness, or decline.With the right opportunities, older adults can live healthier, more autonomous, more connected lives.

Youth & Wisdom – Strength in Unity, Growth in Motion is built precisely on this vision:transforming everyday family life into an engine of inclusion, health promotion, and intergenerational unity.

This project does not simply respond to a need—it anticipates the future of European communities.