P01-13 A pilot study benchmarking physical activity policy actions in Europe: Lessons learned from the CO-CREATE project

Abstract Background Global research shows a strong link between physical activity and risk of developing non-communicable diseases. To increase physical activity levels, governments must design and implement a comprehensive set of policy actions across a range of areas. To aid governments in this process, the MOVING benchmarking tool was developed to assess the design and strength of countries' policies in promoting physical activity, as well as gaps in policy action. Methods The MOVING benchmarking tool was developed using a consultative process that reviewed evidence on physical activity policy design, existing benchmarking tools and built on the policy areas of the MOVING framework. The tool values the strength of policy design based on policy attributes that are evidence-based and aspirational - regardless of whether any countries have implemented them. The tool was applied to a set of physical activity policies from five countries participating in? CO-CREATE?, a European Commission-funded project: Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal and UK. Physical activity policies that are currently implemented in these countries were identified based on a comprehensive country scan, with a set methodology. A set of policies from each country corresponding to benchmarks on access to quality public open space and green spaces and community and mass participation initiatives were analysed. The policies were assessed by applying the benchmark corresponding to the relevant policy area Results The benchmarking tools easily identified the strengths and weaknesses in the design of each policy. Thus, the benchmarking tool identified where there was scope for improvement in specific policy area for each country, such as walking and cycling infrastructure and active transport. It also allowed comparisons between countries for specific policy areas. Further, by allowing a fast assessment of many physical activity policies, the benchmarking tool enabled an analysis of the interplay of single policies and draw conclusions about the overall policy environment in the selected countries. Conclusion The MOVING benchmarking tool can inform the development and implementation of policies which promote physical activity. It can be used by government policy-makers, researchers and civil society organisations to identify areas of physical activity policy that require government action. The scores generated by the benchmarking tool will be amalgamated into an overall policy index for 27 European countries.


Issue/problem
The favorable international position of the Netherlands in terms of sport an physical activity is no reason for those involved in policy to lean back. The motor skills of our children are decreasing, some population groups never engage in sports, respectful behavior in sports needs our attention and the traditional sports clubs are under pressure due to declining numbers of members and volunteers. To tackle these issues, for the first time in history, the Netherlands have a National Sports Agreement (NSA) involving a numerous set of stakeholders besides the national government. Description of the problem Through the NSA, we want to make sport enjoyable for everyone. Now and in the future, without any restrictions and in a safe and healthy environment. The sports infrastructure will be strengthened at every level: locally, regionally and nationally. Policy makers want to involve communities of practice and knowledge from monitoring and science in order to be able to adjust policy on the short term and create a 'selflearning' policy process.

Results
Local and regional stakeholders were invited to strengthen and start collaboration and compose local and regional sports agreements in line with the NSA which has six main ambitions: inclusive sport, sustainable sports facilities, vital providers, positive sports culture, enjoying exercise from an early age and elite sport inspires. As registered on 08-11-2019, 339 out of the 355 municipalities in the Netherlands have started work on a local sports agreement. Thirty nine local agreements were already in place covering 45 municipalities. From the national level, vouchers are made available for local stakeholders to facilitate implementation of particular interventions within a certain ambition on the local level. A consortium of national knowledge institutes provided local policy makers with training sessions facilitating them to incorporate local data, facts and figures in the local sports agreements. Twice a year, National Parliament is informed about the efforts taken and results obtained. On a continuous basis, for every ambition, a set of indicators is disseminated through the website www.sportenbewegenincijfers.nl Abstract citation ID: ckac095.013 P01-13 A pilot study benchmarking physical activity policy actions in Europe: Lessons learned from the CO-CREATE project

Background
Global research shows a strong link between physical activity and risk of developing non-communicable diseases. To increase physical activity levels, governments must design and implement a comprehensive set of policy actions across a range of areas. To aid governments in this process, the MOVING benchmarking tool was developed to assess the design and strength of countries' policies in promoting physical activity, as well as gaps in policy action.

Methods
The MOVING benchmarking tool was developed using a consultative process that reviewed evidence on physical activity policy design, existing benchmarking tools and built on the policy areas of the MOVING framework. The tool values the strength of policy design based on policy attributes that are evidence-based and aspirational -regardless of whether any countries have implemented them. The tool was applied to a set of physical activity policies from five countries participating in? CO-CREATE?, a European Commission-funded project: Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal and UK. Physical activity policies that are currently implemented in these countries were identified based on a comprehensive country scan, with a set methodology. A set of policies from each country corresponding to benchmarks on access to quality public open space and green spaces and community and mass participation initiatives were analysed. The policies were assessed by applying the benchmark corresponding to the relevant policy area Results The benchmarking tools easily identified the strengths and weaknesses in the design of each policy. Thus, the benchmarking tool identified where there was scope for improvement in specific policy area for each country, such as walking and cycling infrastructure and active transport. It also allowed comparisons between countries for specific policy areas. Further, by allowing a fast assessment of many physical activity policies, the benchmarking tool enabled an analysis of the interplay of single policies and draw conclusions about the overall policy environment in the selected countries.

Conclusion
The MOVING benchmarking tool can inform the development and implementation of policies which promote physical activity. It can be used by government policy-makers, researchers and civil society organisations to identify areas of physical activity policy that require government action. The scores generated by the benchmarking tool will be amalgamated into an overall policy index for 27 European countries.

Issue
Population level changes in physical activity (PA) may benefit from policy intervention. In response to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Wales introduced legislation (the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015) to holistically improve health and well-being, including the translation of national policy into practice. This audit provides a case study approach that could be replicated by researchers in other countries to appraise the role of PA actions in national and sub-national policies. Description An audit of policies published by national and sub-national public bodies between 2015 and 2020 was conducted. The list of identified policies was reviewed by an external panel to act as a ?critical friend? to verify its inclusiveness. Content of the policies were extracted and synthesised to determine: (i) how many policies included a PA action; (ii) what the drivers of those policies were; (iii) the content of the PA actions; and (iv) how the PA actions aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Results
A final list of 73 policies was obtained. Only 16 national-level documents had a PA action, which had been published by 4/13 public bodies (who are bound by the Act). Of the 19 subnational well-being policies, 15 included PA actions. Most policies were considered reactive and varied in terms of the clarity and specificity of the actions, the assignment roles/ responsibilities, and the setting of targets; all overarching principles which can be used to strengthen national and subnational policy in the future. The most common theme of action across the national-level documents was the broad action of PA promotion, which was identified in nine of the 16 documents. The actions within the national-level documents were reflected in the sub-national well-being plans. Lessons This research used a novel approach to assess alignment of policies related to PA and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Wales. It provides an overview of the current status of policy related to PA in Wales, which can be used in manifestos and frameworks to shape the subsequent actions of public bodies.

Main messages
This case study provides a valuable example of how to utilise PA to address broader health and wellbeing agendas, and specifically promotion of healthy lifestyles among children and adolescents