Acting as a direct follow-up to the PASS project, PACTE seeks to take a further step towards increasing active cities across the continent. The PASS findings and further research brought to light the far-reaching effects and burdensome costs of physical inactivity on Europeans, but it also defined the ever-growing importance urban environments have to play. Indeed, over three quarters of local decision-makers are unaware of the levels and consequences of inactivity, which becomes an increasing issue as over 70% of the European population lives in cities and urban areas today. To top it off, local policies have a more direct impact on citizens than national or European ones do.

While physical activity experts have virtually omitted to investigate the status quo of physical activity on a local level, PACTE is unfolding itself in a timely manner.

PACTE aims to focus on the physical activity in Europe, at a municipal level. The three core objectives to do so are:

• a European-wide representative survey of municipalities’ physical activity policies and practices; Results
• to create an evidenced-based matrix for change for Active Cities, offering tailored solutions for continuous change;
• and to develop and deliver a communication campaign aimed at European municipalities, and promoting physical activity promotion.