Building bridges through movement and friendship
Connecting children around the world through active learning and shared experiences.
What is all about?
Active Sister Schools is an innovative international project that unites students from Denmark, Poland, Spain, and Ukraine. Through movement and fun classroom activities, children discover each other’s lives, cultures, traditions, and environments. By incorporating Physically Active Learning, we combine education with physical activity, making the experience engaging and beneficial for their well-being.
How it works?
In our project, children from different countries and schools are divided into teams. They first connect online during a special selection ceremony that kicks off their journey together. From there, teams collaborate on various tasks, earning points while learning about each other's customs and languages.
Inspired by the classic pen-pal system — but with a modern twist — we foster friendships and understanding through movement and joyful cooperation rather than just written communication. We deliver unique online video content with an engaging storyline and proven methodology enabling an easy implementation of physically active learning.
Why we do it?
We believe in the power of learning from each other, making friends, and fostering a sense of belonging and community. By connecting children across borders, we help them build meaningful relationships and promote global understanding.
The project was born out of a heartfelt desire to support Ukrainian schoolchildren. Many are now learning in isolated shelters or far from home because their schools no longer exist. We wanted to provide them with a space away from worry—a place where they can experience joy, connect with others, and feel part of a larger community.
Inspired by the cherished tradition of pen-pals, we aim to nurture those same friendships and understanding—but through movement and fun activities that make the experience even more engaging and heartwarming.
Project milestones
These milestones mark our journey in building bridges through movement, learning, and friendship among children worldwide.
Collaboration Initiated
UAactive, ISCA, and V4SPORT signed a Letter of Intent, forming a partnership to develop the Active Sister Schools project aimed at uniting students internationally.
- 2022 -
Pilot Edition (3 countires)
The pilot connected 15 school teams from Denmark, Poland, and Ukraine. Students eagerly took on monthly challenges, sharing fun while learning about each other’s cultures.
2023/2024
Second Edition (4 countires)
Building on the pilot’s success, the second edition expanded to include schools from Spain. Now in four countries, the collaboration enriched the experience for all participants.
2024/2025
UNICEF Poland Patronage
Recognizing its positive impact on education and the integration of children across borders, on September 20th 2024, UNICEF Poland granted patronage to Active Sister Schools,
- 2024 -
Connecting our vision to shared global values
Our mission resonates with global efforts dedicated to children’s education, health, and well-being.
Championing children's rights
In honor of World Children’s Day on November 20th, which commemorates the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, we uphold every child’s fundamental rights to education, play, and cultural understanding. By fostering international friendships and promoting active learning, we ensure that children have the opportunity to learn from one another and feel a sense of belonging in a global community.
Learning through play
We embrace the philosophy of learning through play as a vital component of children’s development. Our program delivers unique online video content with engaging storylines and proven methodologies that make it easy to implement physically active learning. By making education enjoyable and accessible, we encourage creativity, collaboration, and a lifelong love of learning.
Promoting health and well-being
Committed to promoting children’s health through active lifestyles, we focus on physically active learning that enhances education while contributing to better health outcomes. Our approach addresses sedentary behaviors and fosters long-term well-being, aligning with global initiatives to create healthier communities.
Building global communities
We aim to improve lives through integrated, locally driven solutions by connecting children from different countries to build mutual understanding and global citizenship. By bridging cultural gaps, we contribute to more inclusive and resilient communities, fostering a generation that values diversity and cooperation.
Shared values and vision
Our dedication to education, health, and cultural exchange aligns with the core values shared by many organizations worldwide. We strive to make a meaningful impact on society by enriching children’s educational experiences and fostering connections that transcend borders.
An invitation to collaborate
We see powerful synergy between our mission and the goals of those committed to children’s well-being, education, and health. By embedding key messages of learning through play, promoting health, and championing children’s rights, we aim to create lasting change.
Who is the project intended for?
The project is designed for students in the second and third grades of primary school, typically aged 8-9.
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.
Do you want to join the Active Sister Schools network?
Our Network
The project was born as a collaboration between the following funding Partners: V4Sport Foundation (Poland), Danish School Sports (Denmark), International Sport and Culture Association (Denmark), UkraineActive (Ukraine), and Deporte para la Educación y la Salud (Spain).
The project is funded by the European Union and runs under a patronage of UNICEF Poland.
We invite all who share our passion for empowering the next generation through education, health, and global connection to join us in expanding this impactful initiative. Your support can help us reach more children, provide richer content, and further our shared vision.