About us

The Competence Centre for Physical Activity

The Competence Centre for Physical Activity (CCPA) was founded by the Estonian Olympic Committee on 5 October 2022 for the nationwide increase development and coordination of the field of physical activity to the efficiency of the management of the field of physical activity and to improve the cooperation between sports organisations and local governments. The competence centre is the main partner of the state in promoting physical activity. The activities of the CCPA include initiating and supporting development and research-based intervention programmes, collecting and introducing best practices from the world, empowering and assessing the organisations operating in the field, and developing and managing the training system designated for the field.

In the upcoming years, the primary task of the competence centre will be developing a functioning format for cooperation with the partners and improving the work of the organisations operating in the field of physical activity.

The competence centre actively contributes to the implementation of the action plan for promoting physical activity initiated by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Education and Research in 2023 and coordinating the activities of the annual European Week of Sport and physical activity events in Estonia.

In its operations, the competence centre follows the objectives and main directions of the strategic documents ‘Estonia 2035’ and ‘Sport 2030’ and the statutory targets of the CCPA. In organising its activities, the CCPA observes the principles of sustai- nable development and environmental protection, accessibility, and equal treat- ment, as well as the good governance practices approved by the Estonian Olympic Committee.

CCPA ensures that opportunities for physical activity are available to anyone in Estonia – regardless of their age, fi- nancial means, or special needs. We raise awareness of the importance – and above all the opportunities – of physical activity, thereby ensuring the population takes care of their health.

We encourage people to make conscious choices to be physically active to improve their health and well-being, and reduce the negative impact of sedentary lifestyle in Estonia. We seek practical solutions and work together to lead a transformation in physical activity and to improve people’s quality of life.

According to the Eurobarometer survey on sport and physical activity published by the European Commission in the autumn of 2022, 42% of Estonia’s population engage in sports at least once a week (the EU average is 38%), and 28% of the population engage in sports less frequently (the EU average is 17%).

Almost 30% do not engage in sports at all and are not physically active (45% in the EU) – for example by riding a bicycle, dancing or gardening.

According to a 2022 survey on the health behaviour of the Estonian adult population, 45.2% of the 16-64 age group practice physical activities regularly (at least twice a week for 30 minutes).

According to a report published by the National Institute for Health Development in 2023, just 10% of young people and adults are sufficiently active on a daily basis to remain healthy.

Based on the 2021 physical activity survey in which an objective methodology (acceleration sensor) was used to measure physical activity, 43% of the students in grades 1-9 and just 29.8% of the students in grades 4-6 meet the recommendation for physical activity (60 minutes per day).

CCPA’s vision for 2035 is that through cooperation between various parties, Estonia will become the most physically active nation in Europe.

DEVELOPMENT PLAN OF THE COMPETENCE CENTRE FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY 2025–2028