On 9 December 2025, key strategic partner EUSA Institute took center stage in promoting winter sport participation in Slovenia through a dynamic webinar held as part of the European Week of Winter Sport (EWWS). The event brought together educators, sport professionals, and community leaders to highlight inspiring local initiatives that encourage active lifestyles, inclusivity, and a love of winter sports across the country.
The EUSA Institute organized the webinar in collaboration with national winter sport organizations, providing a platform for sharing best practices and fostering connections between schools, universities, and community programs. The participants gained insights into how small local actions can contribute to a broader European vision, uniting communities around physical activity during the winter season.
The webinar opened with a presentation from Andrej Pisl of the EUSA Institute, who outlined the goals of the EWWS initiative. He emphasized the importance of engaging communities and creating sustainable programs that extend beyond one-off events. His remarks set the stage for a discussion on how local initiatives in Slovenia are actively contributing to the EWWS mission of promoting winter sports across Europe.
Following that, we had Martin Tuš of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia, who shared his experience supporting community-driven winter sport programs, including the Winter Olympic Festival. He illustrated how collaboration between local organizations and national institutions can amplify participation, offering young people meaningful opportunities to experience winter sports while fostering a culture of health and inclusion.
Another highlight of the webinar was the presentation by Žan Kralj from the Skiing Association of Slovenia, who spoke about the Student on Skis project. This initiative introduces over 10,000 schoolchildren to snow sports each year, ensuring that young people from diverse backgrounds have access to skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities. Kralj emphasized the transformative impact of such programs in nurturing a lifelong interest in physical activity.
Mojca Rupert from the University of Ljubljana’s Center for Extracurricular Activities shared insights into university-led winter sport programs. From alpine skiing and ice skating to cross-country skiing, these initiatives engage students in organized physical activity, while building connections and promoting inclusion within the academic community. Rupert highlighted ongoing efforts to expand these programs and encourage more young people to take part in winter sports.
This webinar highlighted the powerful role of local initiatives in supporting the European Week of Winter Sport. Through highlighting these initiatives, the event illustrated the significant impact of community-driven efforts in advancing a broader European movement focused on sport, sustainability, and healthy, active living throughout the winter season. The attendees were invited to register their own events on the official EWWS platform, gaining visibility within an expanding European network dedicated to promoting winter sports.
For more information on the European Week of Winter Sport and how to participate, stay connected to the website and social media pages.
