Briefly in English
Together, we strengthen lifestyle guidance skills in primary schools
The ELOVA project (Strengthening professionals’ competence in lifestyle guidance in primary schools) develops practical tools in collaboration with primary school professionals to support children’s well-being as part of everyday school life.
The project will create an accessible online training programme for school staff and a game-based tool to be used with children. The aim is to strengthen professionals’ competence and provide practical ways to support children’s nutrition, physical activity, sleep and mental well-being.
Why is the project needed?
Primary schools play an important role in supporting children’s health and well-being. However, school professionals may not always have sufficient time, knowledge or practical tools to address challenges related to healthy lifestyles.
In Satakunta and South Ostrobothnia, challenges related to children’s physical fitness, nutrition and mental well-being highlight the need for more consistent lifestyle guidance.
By strengthening professionals’ competence and developing practical tools together, we aim to make supporting children’s well-being a natural part of everyday school life without adding unnecessary demands to school staff.
What we do?
The project focuses on three key areas:
Strengthening professional competence
We will develop an accessible online training programme covering children’s nutrition, physical activity, sleep, mental well-being and practical approaches to lifestyle guidance.
Developing practical tools together
Approximately 50 professionals from primary schools and well-being services will participate in developing and testing the training programme and a game-based tool for children.
Supporting children’s well-being through everyday activities
The game-based tool will help children explore healthy habits in an engaging and playful way. Both tools will be piloted in schools and further developed based on feedback.
Project Experts
ELOVA is a joint project by Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) and Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SEAMK). Our multidisciplinary team brings together expertise from various fields.
Meet our team and find their contact details here.
Project information and funding
Project name: Strengthening professionals’ competence in lifestyle guidance in primary schools (ELOVA)
Duration: 1.9.2026 – 31.8.2028
Implementing organisations: Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) and Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SEAMK)
Target groups: Primary school teachers, classroom assistants, school catering staff, school health care professionals and other professionals supporting children’s well-being.
The materials developed during the project will be made available for wider use across Finland.
The ELOVA project is co-funded by the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). The funding authority is the Economic Development Centre of Central Finland.
