Andorra Joins PRESAPTER Project to Promote Health via Physical Activity in Pyrenees

Andorra has joined the European PRESAPTER project, a cross-border initiative aimed at using physical activity to boost public health and territorial cohesion in mountain regions. The effort addresses challenges like geographic isolation, an ageing population, and mobility issues that complicate access to healthcare and prevention programs across the Pyrenees.

Funded under the Interreg POCTEFA 2021-2027 programme, PRESAPTER—standing for Health Prevention through Physical and Sports Activity in the Territory—runs for 33 months starting in September 2025. It has a total budget of €1.19 million, with €774,447 from European funds and contributions shared among partners. The University of Perpignan leads the project, alongside the National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia and the Kilian Jornet Foundation. Associated partners include the Cerdanya Cross-Border Hospital and the Andorran government, which contributes institutional expertise in sports policy.

The project was officially launched at the Cerdanya Hospital, a hub of Pyrenean healthcare cooperation. Scientific lead Fabienne Durand highlighted the shared traits of mountain areas: scattered populations in remote spots, high proportions of elderly residents, and a draw for elite athletes thanks to the natural terrain.

Andorra brings a unique profile to the table, blending an ageing demographic with a robust sports culture and a high density of professional athletes. This makes the Principat an ideal testing ground for studying physical activity as a preventive tool, applicable to those with chronic conditions and healthy individuals alike. It bridges community health and high-performance sports.

Andorra's Secretary of State for Youth, Sports and Culture, Alain Cabanes, said the involvement strengthens management of top-level athletes while merging scientific insights and sports policies into a sustainable public health strategy aligned with EU goals.

The project will recruit 300 volunteers across participating areas, tailored to local demographics. Participants will wear smart rings to track physical activity and health metrics, while a mobile app collects data on habits and customises exercise plans based on terrain and weather. Artificial intelligence will analyse the data to uncover links between lifestyle, environment and wellbeing.

For Andorra, with its rugged landscape and mountain-driven economy, the approach offers potential for smarter healthcare and sports planning. Beyond research, PRESAPTER seeks to position mountain territories as proactive health promoters, potentially creating a scalable model for similar European regions if results validate physical activity's preventive benefits.