More and more people are participating in sports in the Region of Sport

The second quarter of the Veszprém-Balaton European Region of Sport 2026 program has proven that sports are a true force for community building. During the spring and early summer, crowds turned out for the Region of Sport flagship events, 235 winning projects were launched, while international competitions and unique inclusion programs added color to life in the region.

After receiving the title, the most important task was to translate local needs into concrete, measurable actions. The tool for this is the grant application system, which generates a direct and visible impact throughout the entire Veszprém-Balaton region. Following an informational roadshow covering nine municipalities, 235 winning projects received funding.

The funds support communities through five different programs:

• Active Communities: 127 winning projects
• Vitality Points: 70 projects 
• Festival of Communities: 10 projects
• Opportunities in Sports – Inclusive Active Lifestyle: 27 projects
•  Opportunities in Sports – Inclusive Sports Instructor Training

One of the program’s greatest successes is the “VitalPoint” initiative, under which at least two new forms of physical activity were introduced each month in seventy smaller communitiesnew forms of exercise for residents were introduced in at least seventy smaller communities, thanks to which new, active communities have formed.

The highlight of the quarter was the "Night of Movement" in June. Led by Veszprém, the region joined the nationwide initiative with tremendous enthusiasm: nearly two thousand people exercised together in the city, creating a true festival atmosphere. The most memorable moment of the event was the joint walk, which began simultaneously in 55 historic settlements. This collaboration perfectly symbolized the program’s goal of inclusion: everyone, regardless of age or health status.

In addition to community sports, the international elite was also represented. In May, the seventh and decisive stage of the 47th Tour de Hongrie finished in Veszprém, and in June, the event for young talents at the Open European Games of Table Tennis Hopes event attracted 250–350 promising young athletes from 12 countries to Veszprém, Balatonfüred, and Várpalota.

Sports hold the power to uplift everyone. In this spirit, a 30-hour inclusive physical education teacher training course was held this spring, organized in partnership with the Hungarian University of Physical Education and Sports Science, with the cooperation of the University of Pannonia. Based on feedback from 28 coaches who came from more than twenty locations across the region, the program brought about a profound shift in perspective.

For the participants, the most memorable experience was the hands-on day spent with students from Kozmutza Flóra Special School and the sitting volleyball match played alongside athletes with disabilities. In addition, those completing this training program—the only one of its kind in Hungary—will be able to to apply for funding to purchase equipment and make facilities accessible.

The Region of Sports programs are generating enormous interest: on social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), online views have already exceeded 2.56 million, and more than 600 articles about the program have appeared in the press.

In the second quarter, corporate wellness partnerships also continued to strengthen for the fall #BeActive Night and European Week of Sport events.