Kicking off June 1 (National Health and Fitness Day), the ParticipACTION Community Challenge presented by Novo Nordisk is set to motivate communities across Canada. This national physical activity and sport initiative helps reduce barriers to physical activity and encourages everyone to get active throughout June, with the goal of crowning Canada’s Most Active Community.
What is the ParticipACTION Community Challenge?
The Community Challenge is a nationwide initiative designed to mobilize communities, encouraging physical activity and sport participation where people live, learn, work and play. By providing low-barrier, inclusive opportunities, the challenge ensures that people in Canada, regardless of background, age, gender, or ability, can get active.
Exciting prizes and grants
The Community Challenge runs for the entire month of June, culminating in the recognition of Canada’s Most Active Community. The winning community will receive $100,000 to support local physical activity and sports initiatives. Additionally, there will be a winning community in each of the 12 remaining provinces and territories that will receive between $7,500 and $15,000. In 2023, the town of Salisbury, NB, earned the title of Canada’s Most Active and used the winning prize of $100,000 to enhance local trails.
Since the Community Challenge began in 2019, ParticipACTION has awarded more than $1 million to 36 communities across Canada. The non-profit has also distributed over $6 million in grants to organizations to help create more opportunities for physical activity and sport participation.
How to get involved
National Health and Fitness Day, an annual event dedicated to inspiring people to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives, marks the start of the Community Challenge. ParticipACTION has partnered with organizations nationwide to offer free or low-cost programming throughout June.
● YMCA: Enjoy a free 30-day challenge with YMCA@Home, offering live fitness classes, on-demand content, meal plans and fitness challenges. Participating YMCAs across Canada will provide free programming throughout June.
● GoodLife Fitness: Free access on June 1 at locations across Canada. Visit the ParticipACTION website for details.
● Fit4Less: Free access on June 3 at locations across Canada. Check the ParticipACTION website for more information.
● Connect with your community: Visit the ParticipACTION website to find out which organizations in your community are taking part in the challenge by entering your postal code.
Building inclusive communities
Supported by public and private funders, the ParticipACTION Community Challenge presented by Novo Nordisk distributes funding to community organizations that promote or deliver physical activity and sport opportunities to equity-denied groups. This initiative helps level the playing field and reduces barriers to physical activity, fostering stronger and healthier communities. Examples of programs that have received funding this year include a therapeutic walking program for persons with disabilities in Victoria, BC, and cricket teams supporting newcomers to Canada in Surrey, BC.
How to participate
Join the Community Challenge by signing up at ParticipACTION.com. Communities, organizations, schools and workplaces can register their events or activities taking place from June 1 to 30, 2024.
Every registered event and participant tracked will contribute to each participating community’s progress in the challenge. Participants can follow the leaderboard on the ParticipACTION website to see how communities are doing.
Register today!
Visit ParticipACTION.com to register and join the movement. Together, we can create a healthier future for people living in Canada. Get active, stay engaged and let’s see which community will be crowned Canada’s Most Active in 2024!