EuropeActive interim president, Marcel Boots and host, TV presenter and former Paralympian, Denise Schindler, have presented this year’s EuropeActive Awards at EHFF in Koln.

For the first time there were three awards, with the addition of a BeActive Award. This went to Ukraine Active for its success in keeping activities going while the war with Russia has been ongoing, using physical activity as a way of supporting people with their physical and mental health and uniting communities.

President of Ukraine Active, Andrii Boliak, received a standing ovation when he accepted the award holding the Ukrainian flag.

French operator, Fitness Park Group, received the EuropeActive Impact Award which recognises what organisations can do to create an impact measured by accessibility, scalability, contribution to growth and jobs, social impact and leadership.

Philippe Herbette, president Fitness Park Group, said: “We will keep going forward with the same vision, passion and energy.”

The Rainer Schaller Entrepreneurship Award, which honours exceptional inspiring entrepreneurship, was awarded to the Finnish budget brand, Liikku. CEO, Johanna Riihijärvi, who founded the company in 2010 said her goal was to create a high quality concept at an attractive price. 

The company has grown consistently, opening around 10 clubs a year and between January 2020 and January 2021 it managed to double the membership base. Now it has 72 clubs and 100,000 members, all created with a small team of 19 people.

“We have a clear, defined concept, good partners, strict processes, a lot of data analysis and only online membership,” said Riihijärvi.