Building bridges through movement and friendship
Connecting children around the world through Physically Active Learning and shared experiences.
Active Sister Schools is an innovative and international project that aims to create unity and integration across school classes from different countries. Through movement and engaging classroom activities, students discover each other’s lives, cultures, traditions, and surroundings in a fun and interactive way.
This project creates a vibrant platform where children from diverse backgrounds can connect, learn, and build lasting friendships.
Why Active Sister Schools?
Creating a safe space for Ukrainian children
The project was born out of a desire to support Ukrainian schoolchildren. By connecting them with peers around the world, the project offers a sense of joy and belonging - even for those studying in shelters or far from home because their schools no longer exist. It provides a much-needed escape from worry, replacing isolation with friendship and shared experiences.
The power of physical activity and connection
We believe that moving together and sharing experiences brings children together. By connecting young people across borders, we create opportunities for friendship, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding.
Inspired by pen-pals
The project draws inspiration from the traditional pen-pal system, which has long helped children build connections and gain insight into the daily lives of their peers abroad. However, Active Sister Schools takes this concept a step further by fostering community, integration, and mutual understanding through movement, play, and joyful cooperation rather than solely written communication.
How does it work?
International teams take on monthly challenges
Classes from different countries that join the project during recruitment are grouped into 15 international teams. Each team consists of one class from every participating country. The journey begins with a special online event - the Drawing Ceremony - where all students and teachers meet virtually for the first time. From there, newly formed teams collaborate on various tasks, take part in monthly challenges, and meet online within their groups. They earn points for completing activities while discovering each other’s customs, languages, and daily lives.
Who is the project for?
The project is designed for primary school students in the second and third grades, typically aged 8-9.
Ready-to-use tools
Each month, teachers receive innovative, ready-to-use materials based on the Physically Active Learning method. These resources help them guide students through challenges while combining three key elements: education, movement, and fun.
These key milestones highlight our journey in building the Active Sister Schools initiative over the years.
Collaboration initiated
UAactive, ISCA, and VSPORT formalized their commitment by signing a Letter of Intent, outlining a shared vision: to establish lasting partnerships between schools, using education and sport as powerful tools for social integration, cultural exchange, and resilience.
2022
Pilot edition
The pilot project connected 15 international teams from three countries: Denmark, Poland, and Ukraine. Students eagerly participated in monthly challenges, having fun while learning about each other’s cultures. The pilot was funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
2023-2024
Second edition
Building on the success of the pilot, the second edition expanded to include schools from Spain, bringing the total to four participating countries. This collaboration further enriched the experience for all students and teachers involved. The project is funded by the European Union.
2024-2025
UNICEF Poland Patronage
Recognizing the project’s positive impact on education and cross-border integration, UNICEF Poland granted its patronage to Active Sister Schools on September 20, 2024.
2024
Ready-to-use tools
All participants receive ready-to-use innovative materials as part of their participation in the project. The content combines three pillars: education, movement, and entertainment.
Edition 2024/2025 - project schedule
The timeline of the project runs from October 2024 to May 2025
Through eight monthly classroom-based challenges involving movement and fun activities, students learn about each other’s lives, cultures, and languages. The project is also accompanied by additional events, including online meetings such as international webinars, drawing activities, and closing ceremonies.
Edition 2023/2024 - pilot
The pilot phase of the project, running from September 2023 to February 2024, engaged 15 international teams, each composed of schools from Denmark, Poland, and Ukraine. Participants enthusiastically embraced monthly challenges, where they not only had fun but also taught each other about their countries.
The project was implemented through a collaboration of four partners – V4SPORT Foundation, Danish School Sports, UkraineActive, and International Sport and Culture Association. The pilot has been funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
The official closing ceremony of the pilot project
The pilot phase of the project, running from September 2023 to February 2024, engaged 15 international teams, each composed of schools from Denmark, Poland, and Ukraine. Participants enthusiastically embraced monthly challenges, where they not only had fun but also taught each other about their countries.
The project was implemented through a collaboration of four partners – V4SPORT Foundation, Danish School Sports, UkraineActive, and International Sport and Culture Association. The pilot has been funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
