The Erasmus+ Sport project ePhyLi (Promoting Physical Literacy and Healthy Lifestyles through Digital Materials for University Students, project number: 101089928) officially concluded with its final conference, organised and hosted by UCLan Cyprus University. The event celebrated three years of collaborative research, innovation, and education aimed at enhancing the understanding and development of physical literacy among university students through technology-enhanced learning.
Co-funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 101089928, ePhyLi brought together a consortium of five partners: UCLan Cyprus University (coordinator), Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (UniBz), GrantXpert Consulting Ltd (GX), Infinitivity Design Labs (IDL), and the European Physical Education Association (EUPEA). Together, the partners developed a comprehensive range of pedagogical and digital tools to promote the concept of physical literacy, targeting both future and in-service Physical Education (PE) teachers, with the ultimate goal of inspiring active and healthy lifestyles among future generations across Europe.
About the ePhyLi Project
Physical literacy is recognised as a lifelong journey involving motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities throughout life (IPLA, 2017). Promoting physical literacy across all ages is essential for holistic health and fostering healthy lifestyles from an early age, particularly through Physical Education.
The ePhyLi project supported the European priority of encouraging healthy living by raising awareness among future educators (university students in Physical Education, Sport Pedagogy, Sport and Exercise Science, and Primary Education) about the concept of physical literacy.
Over three years, the consortium developed innovative digital and pedagogical tools, including a digital book, a mobile application, an open-access online platform, and teaching materials that empower educators to integrate physical literacy into their practice. These resources strengthen understanding of both the theory and practical application of physical literacy, enhancing motivation, inclusion, and lifelong engagement in physical activity and well-being.
During its three-year implementation, the project achieved several key milestones. The first phase explored how PE students and teachers understand physical literacy and examined how these perceptions influence their participation in physical activity and sport. This research, informed by international literature, provided the foundation for the design of subsequent interventions and tools.
Specifically, the consortium designed and tested innovative methodologies and tools for integrating the concept of physical literacy into university curricula and training programmes through a gamified digital learning approach.
These include:
- A pedagogical framework for embedding physical literacy principles in higher education.
- An eBook comprising eight structured learning modules, available in English, Greek, Italian, and French.
- An interactive digital game and mobile app, which engages users in challenges to learn about physical literacy.
- An online platform featuring interactive modules and comics.
The project also prioritised dissemination and sustainability, fostering collaboration among universities, professional associations, and European networks to reach educators, policymakers, and youth organisations across Europe and beyond.
Through its participatory activities, ePhyLi engaged over 650 participants, including students, educators, and policymakers, through pilot testing, focus groups, and online seminars. Project findings were presented at major international conferences such as the FIEPS European Congress (2024), World Physical Education Alliance Conference (2023), International Physical Literacy Conference (2023), 7th Conference of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (2023), and HEPA Europe Congress (2025). Results were also disseminated through academic publications and collaborations with networks such as AIESEP and IPLA.
The ePhyLi project showcased the potential of digital innovation and pedagogical collaboration to transform the teaching and understanding of physical literacy. Its legacy lies in empowering educators and students to create inclusive, reflective, and engaging learning environments that foster lifelong participation in physical activity.
The ePhyLi Final Conference
The Final Conference, held on 10 October 2025 at UCLan Cyprus University, brought together 82 participants, including university students, PE teachers, academics, and representatives from the Secondary Education Physical Education Inspectorate of the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth.
Organised by UCLan Cyprus University with the support of all project partners and external collaborators such as the International Physical Literacy Association (IPLA), the Cyprus Association of Graduates in Physical Education and Sport Science (PASYPEFAA), and INQUIRIUM Ltd, the event served as a platform for reflection and dialogue on the project’s achievements and future legacy.
Keynote presentations included:
- Mr Nigel Green (President of IPLA, external associate at UniBz) – “What is Physical Literacy and Why Advocate for It?”
- Professor Attilio Carraro (UniBz, AIESEP Board Member) – “Quality Physical Education & Physical Literacy – Is it the same?”
Consortium partners — Dr Olia Tsivitanidou (UCLan Cyprus associate; Managing Director of INQUIRIUM Ltd), Dr Jana Vasickova and Ms Martina Polakova (EUPEA), Dr Antonino Mulè (Free University of Bozen-Bolzano), Dr Nikos Kassenidis (UCLan Cyprus), and Ms Fabiola Fick (Infinitivity Design Labs) — presented the project and its key outputs in detail, including the ePhyLi eBook, digital game, and interactive online platform.
A highlight of the event was the interactive session “The Physical Literacy Facilitator’s Framework: A Reflective Guide for Teachers, Coaches, and Parents”, which encouraged participants to explore inclusive and reflective approaches in Physical Education.
The conference concluded with a panel discussion featuring academics, PE advisors, members of teacher councils, and students, who shared perspectives on integrating physical literacy in educational and community settings.
Panel participants included:
- Mr Loui Chatziloizou, PE Advisor, Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth
- Dr Elisavet Constantinidou (University of Nicosia, PASYPEFAA member)
- Dr Faragó Beatrix and Dr Béki Piroska Boglárka (Eötvös Loránd University, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Hungary)
- Ms Elena Antoniadou (PhD student)
- Ms Nikolena Efthymiou (PE teacher, Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth)
- Salma Heikal, Saule Uzdavinyte, and Styliani Andreou, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science students at UCLan Cyprus.
The discussion concluded with a shared consensus that physical literacy should be viewed as a lifelong, inclusive, and empowering process, not limited to PE lessons but integrated across educational and community settings.
Lasting Impact
The final conference concluded with closing remarks by Dr Efstathios Christodoulides (ePhyLi Project Coordinator and Assistant Professor in Sport and Exercise Science at UCLan Cyprus), who thanked all participants, speakers, and partners for their active engagement and valuable contributions.
In his address, Dr Christodoulides reflected on the three-year journey of ePhyLi, acknowledging the dedication and collaboration of all partners. He emphasised that the project successfully advanced understanding and practice around physical literacy through innovative digital tools, research-based resources, and collaborative educational initiatives.
Dr Christodoulides expressed appreciation to the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, whose representatives actively participated in the conference discussions, and highlighted the importance of maintaining dialogue between academia, schools, and policymakers to embed physical literacy principles across all levels of education.
He concluded by reaffirming the consortium’s commitment to continue ePhyLi’s mission beyond the project’s lifespan, sharing its results, promoting their adoption in higher education and teacher training, and supporting future European collaborations on physical literacy and digital learning.
Learn More
All project results — including the eBook, digital game, and online platform — are freely available on the project website:
👉 www.ephyliproject.eu
Source: UCLan Cyprus | Discover | Happenings | Highlights (https://tinyurl.com/y4r3865d)