National strategy(ies)

Portugal structures its national approach to sport and physical activity through a combination of strategic documents, cross‑ministerial programmes and sector‑specific initiatives that collectively aim to promote active lifestyles among all age groups, including young people. Although no single national plan is exclusively dedicated to youth, several strategies incorporate explicit objectives for children and adolescents.

The National Strategy for the Promotion of Physical Activity, Health and Well‑being (ENPAF 2016–2025) establishes the overarching framework. Developed by the Ministry of Health through the Directorate‑General of Health (DGS), in articulation with the Ministry of Education and the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth (IPDJ), ENPAF follows the goals of the WHO European Region Physical Activity Strategy 2016–2025 and the WHO Global Action Plan for Physical Activity 2018–2030. Its purpose is to promote awareness of the benefits of physical activity, combat sedentarism and reduce the burden of chronic non‑communicable diseases. ENPAF is organised around three thematic axes—promotion of physical activity, health professionals, and intersectoral cooperation—supported by monitoring and research instruments. 

The National Programme for the Promotion of Physical Activity (PNPAF), created in 2016 under DGS, operationalises ENPAF’s vision. It integrates international WHO guidelines and acts across prevention, clinical practice, community action, monitoring and literacy. The programme supports the training of health professionals, leads national campaigns such as “Follow the Whistle”, coordinates national surveys on physical activity and implements community interventions (e.g., Diabetes em Movimento). 

Complementing these is the National Sports for All Programme (PNDpT), led by IPDJ, which aligns national action with guidelines from the EU, UN, WHO and the International Olympic Committee. The programme’s objectives rest on three pillars: sport development; health promotion; and education and training for and through sport. It aims to increase sports participation, reduce sedentary behaviours, strengthen access to sport and enhance awareness of the benefits of physical activity. 

Governance and Institutional Architecture

The governance of youth sport and fitness policy in Portugal relies on the cooperation of multiple institutions.

IPDJ plays a central coordinating and implementing role, managing sports facilities, supporting federated and high‑performance sports, and developing programmes dedicated to youth participation in sport. It also works in partnership with municipalities, education authorities, sports federations and civil society organisations. 

The Ministry of Education, through the Directorate‑General for Education (DGE), is responsible for the curricular development of Physical Education and coordinates School Sport, which serves as a nationwide system for participation in physical activity, competitions and extracurricular sports. 

Through the Office of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, the government ensures articulation between education, health and youth policies, particularly in sport‑promotion initiatives targeted at children and adolescents. 

Promoting and supporting sport and physical activity among young people

Portugal uses a mix of national programmes—some universal, other targeted measures — to ensure that young people have access to opportunities for sports participation.

National Sports for All Programme (PNDpT)

Under PNDpT, specific initiatives promote the social inclusion of disadvantaged young people through sport, ensuring equal access to activities, facilities and structured programmes. Priority is given to expanding opportunities, strengthening school–community links and shaping sport as a tool for healthy lifestyles. 

High Performance Sport Unit in School (UAARE)

UAARE is a flagship initiative designed to reconcile academic study with high‑performance sports careers. Implemented through coordinated action between schools, federations, parents, municipalities and sports organisations, UAARE supports secondary‑level student‑athletes. In 2019/2020, 19 schools hosted the programme, supporting around 600 student‑athletes across 39 disciplines. Academic performance remains high (93% pass rate), with low dropout levels (1.4%). 

Ethics in Sport

The National Plan for Ethics in Sport (PNED), managed by IPDJ, promotes core values such as respect, responsibility, fairness and cooperation. Its initiatives include educational campaigns, training, school interventions, pedagogical resources, and projects such as “Red Card to Bullying” and the mobile Internship Centre of Values in Sport. These actions target children, young people, teachers, families, athletes and sports clubs. 

Sport Without Bullying

Emerging from the Red Card to Bullying initiative, this project is led by IPDJ and the Faculty of Human Kinetics (Faculdade de Motricidade Humana), involving clubs, municipalities and ambassadors. Its aim is to combat bullying in sports training through tools, coach training and direct intervention in clubs. 

Physical education in schools

Physical Education (PE) is a compulsory curricular subject at all levels of basic and secondary education. The 2012 revision of the secondary curriculum increased PE’s weekly timetable to 150 minutes, and since 2018/2019 PE grades once again count towards final secondary graduation. 

The Essential Learning framework guides planning, teaching and assessment, ensuring progressive development of physical, motor and sports skills. The model emphasises student choice, flexibility and the consolidation of competencies across 10th–12th grades. 

Professional education pathways also include compulsory physical education modules across their three‑year cycles. 

School Sport

School Sport is a structured national system coordinated by the Ministry of Education, comprising recreational, competitive and developmental components. Its objectives include promoting physical literacy, enhancing health, supporting social development and fostering values such as discipline, teamwork and inclusion. 

The School Sport Programme defined strategic vectors—qualification of the sport offer, increased participation, articulation with school organisation and consolidation of governance—and established three levels of activity:

• complementary projects;
• competitions (interscholastic and international);
• enhancement projects (training, pilot initiatives, training centres). 

Collaboration and partnerships

Partnerships are a core component of sport and youth fitness policy. Cooperation involves:

• ministries (Health; Education; Youth and Sport; Labour and Social Security; Science and Higher Education);
• municipalities and inter‑municipal communities;
• schools and universities;
• sports federations and clubs;
• NGOs, Private Institutions of Social Solidarity (IPSS) and private partners.

ENPAF explicitly promotes intersectoral work, and CIPAF formalises coordination between ministries in physical activity promotion. At the local level, municipalities combine facilities, support events and contribute to local strategies for active lifestyles.