European Outdoor Cities
Standards
Explore four pillars, 12 categories and 65 indicators that help cities and municipalities understand and strengthen the conditions for outdoor sport and recreation.
The framework
The European Outdoor Cities Standards provide a shared structure for understanding the conditions that support outdoor sport and recreation in urban and peri-urban areas.
They help cities and municipalities see the whole system: natural conditions, outdoor infrastructure, inclusive participation, strategy, investment and the organisations that create outdoor opportunities.
How the framework is organised
The framework moves from broad orientation to specific topics for reflection. Each level adds detail while remaining connected to the wider European Outdoor Cities system.
Four pillars provide the main orientation across the framework.
Twelve categories describe the core areas of municipal outdoor development.
Sixty-five indicators translate each category into specific topics that cities and municipalities can examine.
Four equal pillars
The same names, numbers and order are used across the Quick Check, Standards and Good Practices, making it easier to move from first orientation to deeper understanding and practical examples.
Pillar 1 · Categories 1–4
Protect natural environments and provide safe, accessible and well-managed places for outdoor sport and recreation.
Pillar 2 · Category 8
Understand and remove barriers so people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities can participate.
Pillar 3 · Categories 5–7
Embed outdoor sport in policy, knowledge, communication, cooperation and long-term resources.
Pillar 4 · Categories 9–12
Strengthen the public, private and community organisations that create and deliver outdoor opportunities.
Explore the Standards
Browse the Standards by pillar. Open a category to understand why it matters, what it covers and which indicators belong to it.
Natural environments are the foundation of outdoor sport and recreation. Protecting and strengthening them supports activity, wellbeing, nature connection and long-term availability of outdoor opportunities.
Availability, quality, protection and development of natural areas: existing and protected areas, valued characteristics, conservation and restoration, new natural spaces and climate adaptation.
Natural spaces alone do not guarantee a good outdoor experience. Accessible, well-designed and maintained infrastructure determines how easily and safely people can take part.
Trailheads and gateways, trail networks, activity hotspots, visitor monitoring, maintenance, sustainable operation, responsible land use and managed access in protected areas.
Safety is a basic condition for participation. Clear procedures and reliable information reduce avoidable risks and increase confidence, especially for beginners, families and visitors.
Safety planning, emergency preparedness, risk communication, incident reporting and learning, and routines for closing, repairing or reopening unsafe infrastructure.
The presence of nature and facilities does not automatically mean people can use them. Distance, transport, cost, regulation, unfamiliarity and inaccessible information can all prevent participation.
Proximity, supportive access regulations, equipment availability, public transport and active mobility, parking and equipment transport, and reducing social, cultural, physical and economic barriers.
Outdoor sport should be accessible to people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities and circumstances. Physical access is only one part; confidence, affordability, welcome and representation also matter.
Whether municipalities set clear ambitions for participation, provide inclusive initiatives and offer infrastructure for beginners, experienced users and people with different support needs.
Outdoor sport does not develop by chance. Long-term progress depends on political commitment, strategic direction, coordination across policy areas and resources beyond individual projects.
How outdoor sport is embedded in policies, spatial planning, organisational responsibilities and stakeholder structures — plus dedicated staff, cooperation and public/private funding.
Successful outdoor development depends on knowledge and the ability to learn — decision-maker awareness, evidence about needs, and the skills to deliver safe, inclusive and sustainable opportunities.
Awareness among decision-makers and citizens, evaluation of facilities and initiatives, needs mapping, knowledge exchange, professional competence and volunteer education.
People are more likely to participate when they know what is available, how to reach it and what to consider. Communication strengthens identity; events introduce new audiences and activate public spaces.
Communication strategies, printed and digital information, maps and live status systems, accessible information for different groups, and events that encourage participation.
Guides, instructors, equipment providers and accommodation businesses add expertise, services and capacity — introducing newcomers, supporting tourism and contributing to infrastructure and events.
The presence of professional outdoor providers and how they contribute to local outdoor sport beyond their core commercial activities.
Civil society is often the first point of entry into outdoor sport. Clubs, volunteers and self-organised groups create activities, share skills, maintain places and build social connections.
The range and inclusiveness of clubs, self-organised communities outside club structures and the contribution of volunteers to infrastructure, facilities and activities.
Schools, early-years settings, health and care services can connect people with nature at different stages of life — supporting education, physical and mental health, inclusion and quality of life.
How public institutions use nature and outdoor learning in kindergartens, schools, health promotion, rehabilitation and elderly care, plus the staff competence and facilities needed.
No common framework can anticipate every local idea. Recognising creative, place-specific contributions keeps the Standards flexible and supports the exchange of emerging good practice.
Space for municipalities to describe additional support, initiatives or achievements not adequately represented in the other categories.
No directly connected Good Practice is available for this category yet. Explore examples from the wider pillar.
Principles
European municipalities differ in geography, governance, resources and outdoor culture. Eight shared principles guide the framework and its application.
From framework to practice
The Standards show what cities and municipalities should consider. Good Practices show how comparable questions are being addressed in practice across Europe.
First step · Orientation
Nineteen questions across the four pillars give an immediate qualitative snapshot — about ten minutes, no registration and no preparation needed.
Next step · Inspiration
Examples from municipalities across Europe, connected to the same pillars and categories — to adapt locally, not to copy one-to-one.
Developed through STANDOUT
The European Outdoor Cities Standards were developed and tested through the STANDOUT Erasmus+ Sport project together with municipalities, public authorities, researchers and outdoor sport organisations from across Europe.
Research
Workshops, existing Good Practices and European labels and frameworks helped identify barriers, drivers and relevant areas of municipal action.
Co-creation
Partner working groups, expert input and five Knowledge Exchanges translated evidence and experience into pillars, categories, indicators and guidance.
Pilot testing
Viana do Castelo, Silkeborg and Sundsvall tested clarity, relevance and practical application in different municipal contexts.
Finalisation
Pilot feedback informed the final wording, structure and guidance of the Standards.
Resources & FAQ
Explore the Standards online or use the published resources for the complete framework, background and implementation guidance.
The Standards are a public European framework describing the conditions that support outdoor sport and recreation in cities and municipalities. They are organised into four pillars, 12 categories and 65 indicators.
Yes. The criteria are intended to be transparent and useful to cities and municipalities at different stages of development.
No. The Standards themselves do not certify, rank or compare municipalities. They provide a shared framework for reflection, discussion and continuous improvement.
Municipal decision-makers and staff are the primary users, but the process benefits from input by public institutions, outdoor organisations, clubs, communities, businesses and nature managers.
Not necessarily. The framework is designed for different geographical, cultural and governance contexts. Municipalities should use professional judgement and focus on meaningful local interpretation.
No. Use the best available information. Missing or uncertain information can reveal where further dialogue, monitoring or cooperation may be useful.
The Quick Check provides a first qualitative snapshot through 19 questions across the four pillars. The Standards provide the complete structure behind that first orientation, with 12 categories and 65 indicators.
The Standards are public and do not require Network participation. The European Outdoor Cities Network is being developed for cities and municipalities that want to exchange experience, work more systematically with the framework and stay connected to the next stages of the programme.
Yes. Returning to the framework can help municipalities review progress, refresh priorities and respond to changing local conditions.
Resources
All four pillars, 12 categories and 65 indicators are available on this page.
The published Standards, the implementation guidance and every other project report — eight documents to download.
Get more information and updates
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Use the Quick Check for a first qualitative orientation. Then return to the Standards to understand your results and explore Good Practices connected to your development priorities.
