We know that outdoor sports have all sorts of benefits for both the participants and for the local economy. It is relatively easy to measure the benefits to the local economy in direct terms and there are agreed EU mechanisms to do this.
However, while there is anecdotal evidence of the social benefits of outdoor sports and there has been research done on this – such research has not been collated and there has been no method developed or agreed at a European level for monetising these benefits
The partners involved in the project are involved in the development of outdoor sports and such development requires investment. Such investment requires clear business cases being developed and increasingly authorities and governments require evidence in economic terms as to the value of such investment.
BOSS bridges a clear gap in the knowledge base at a European level to support investment in health enhancing physical activity (HEPA) in the outdoors.