Primary and special schools across Ireland are being encouraged to get moving with a new three-week Active School Flag challenge that combines physical activity, learning and a virtual journey around Europe.
The ‘Run Around the EU’ challenge runs from 28 September to 16 October 2026 and encourages pupils, teachers and school communities to build a short running or walking break into the school day. The initiative is open to all classes, including special classes, with participation, inclusion and enjoyment at its centre.
Schools taking part are encouraged to include a 10-minute daily running break over the three-week challenge. Pupils and teachers can walk, jog, run or wheel, making the activity accessible to different abilities and participation levels.
Each completed lap contributes one kilometre to the class total. Classes can then combine their kilometres to see how far they can travel virtually around EU member states, while learning about European countries along the way.
The challenge runs across 15 school days, from 28 September to 16 October, giving schools a simple way to introduce regular movement into their daily routines.
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton encouraged primary and special schools to take part in the initiative.
"I want to encourage all primary schools and special schools across the country to take part in the ‘Run Around the EU’ Challenge. This exciting Active School Flag initiative combines physical activity, learning and fun in a way that is accessible and inclusive for all pupils.
“The challenge encourages school communities to build a short, active break into the school day, helping children to develop healthy habits while supporting their wellbeing, concentration and enjoyment of learning. Whether pupils choose to walk, wheel, jog or run, every lap completed contributes to a shared goal, reinforcing the importance of teamwork, participation and inclusion.
“It is fantastic to see schools embarking on a virtual journey across Europe while at the same time becoming more active together. I want to wish every school taking part the very best of luck and I hope pupils, teachers and school communities enjoy this exciting challenge over the coming weeks.
“I would also like to acknowledge the valuable support of Healthy Ireland and the Blue Star Programme in the development of this initiative, which will help inspire thousands of children to be active, healthy and engaged.”
Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor also welcomed the challenge, highlighting the role of physical activity in supporting children's health and wellbeing.
"The Active School Flag initiative plays a crucial role in encouraging physical activity among children and young people and the #RunAroundEurope challenge provides an excellent opportunity to connect with similar international initiatives. Healthy Ireland’s support for this programme highlights the importance of promoting physical activity from an early age to help build lifelong healthy habits that can positively influence health and wellbeing in the years ahead. I would like to congratulate all the children and their teachers for the commitment and dedication they have shown in taking on this worthwhile challenge."
The challenge also provides an opportunity to bring European learning into the school day. The Blue Star Programme, which supports the initiative, introduces primary pupils to European cultures and the European Union through creative projects that complement the primary curriculum.
Schools registered for the challenge can access resources including maps, progress charts and an EU-focused movement break quiz. The Active School Flag programme also provides 27 EU member state fact files from the Blue Star Programme, covering subjects such as landmarks, languages, geography and traditions.
The inclusive nature of the challenge means pupils can participate in a way that works for them. Walking, jogging, running and wheeling all contribute towards the class kilometre total, allowing the whole school community to work towards a shared target.
Rather than focusing on individual performance, the challenge encourages classes and schools to build activity into everyday routines while combining movement with learning about Europe.
‘Run Around the EU’ is the first Active School physical activity initiative of the 2026/27 school year. Registration allows schools and teachers to access the challenge resources and take part in the virtual journey across Europe.
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