Sport for Education and Health ** (DES)** is a Spanish NGO founded in 2014. It collaborates with schools to combat sedentary lifestyles and weight gain among children by promoting healthy lifestyles. DES aims to transform educational projects by integrating comprehensive, structured, and systematic actions for children’s education. Currently, DES partners with academic centres, public administrations, and international organisations to provide adaptable solutions and resources, addressing the pandemic of inactivity and weight gain.
**The Autonomous Body ** Municipal Sports Foundation of Valencia is a public law entity established by the Valencia City Council on April 10, 1981. It operates under an administrative framework for budgetary and accounting purposes and serves as the technical office for Valencia City Council on sports matters. The Foundation oversees all municipal sports-related services, guided by three essential plans: the ‘Master Plan for Valencia Sports Facilities,’ the ‘Master Plan for Sports Activities,’ and the ‘Management Plan for the Municipal Sports Foundation of Valencia.’
Placemaking and Sport in Valencia have been implemented in the municipal sports area known as IDE Benicalap. Throughout the project, regular meetings with representatives of various sports and cultural organisations in the Benicalap neighbourhood have been held to assess and address the needs for improvement and adaptation of the municipal sports facilities.
The “Fallas” cultural association, the Football Club of Benicalap, the Tennis Association, the Archery Club, the Runners Club, the Neighbors Association, and other civil organisations worked hand in hand during the project implementation, ensuring a collaborative approach to enhancing the community’s sports infrastructure. Some improvements decided upon include restoring a green area for leisure and picnics, rebuilding the two tennis courts, enlarging and improving the dressing rooms, expanding the cafeteria area, and setting up a calisthenics area.
An investment plan has been developed and facilitated by the Municipal Sports Foundation of Valencia as a result of collaboration between neighbourhood civil organisations and the Valencia City Council. This plan includes a renovation budget to be implemented from 2024 onwards. Additionally, neighbourhood organisations will begin meeting periodically with municipal representatives at the newly established ‘Benicalap Sports Table.’
The Placemaking and Sport project in Valencia has successfully tested a methodology that can now be applied to other areas and facilities in the city, encouraging citizen participation in all project phases.
