Questions & answers

Be sure to check out our Questions & Answers below. If you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@generationgames.com

Can any city organise the Generation Games?

Yes, sure! Any city, any organisation can set up an edition. Large cities with 5 million inhabitants, villages with 1,000 people, schools with 200 kids. There is no bidding procedure. The principle is the same: organise an edition of the Generation Games with the community.

Who can organise the event in our city?

The city can decide: whatever works best for you. It could be a sports organisation, a University, a group of students and older volunteers, someone working for the Sports Department. You will need a person or organisation with some experience in organising an event. The community itself will organise it, several people playing a role.

What are the objectives of the Generation Games?

The event combines several objectives. It’s  about generations sporting together,  people of all ages having a good time participating in several sports and activities, in a relaxing, non-competitive atmosphere. Learning from each other, inspiring one another. Passing on the passion for sport. The Generation Games is multi-sports, multi-generations, multi-purpose. The event gives room to social and educational topics, stimulating a healthy lifestyle, strengthening intergenerational solidarity.  With a focus on positive community impact and respect for everyone’s role. With valuable legacies for future generations around the world.

Do we need to pay for the event?

No, there is no fee involved. The reason why? The Generation Games is a non-profit event based on the principle of sharing, co-creating, volunteerism, and connecting. The event is about doing good and realising positive community impact around the world. That’s why we share the event as well. By an open source website and toolkit. Any city, any school, any neighborhood, any organisation can set up an edition. Sharing the concept will contribute to the objectives of the event. So, it’s free, valuable, and priceless.

Are there any conditions for a city?

Yes, we have some requests/requirements. An edition should be based on the on the 10 principles you find on the website. We also have some guidelines regarding sponsors and partners (no tobacco and alcohol for example). And we ask a city to inform us via the Register your event page. And, of course, we ask for a good organisation. Enthusiasm and commitment are important conditions.

How many teams can participate?

You decide. How many teams can you handle? This depends on 1. location, 2. number of sports, 3.how many hours you offer the activities. Example: if you offer 12 activities (and on average each activity can handle 7 teams per hour), and the event is between 10h00-16h00: 12 x 7 x 6 = 504 teams (in theory). In that case, you better go for 300 teams (with 4 people on a team). Also important: how far apart are the sports? If you spread the sports over a 2 kilometer circuit in the city center,  that’s different than having all the sports on one square.

Do we need to inform your organisation that we will organise an edition?

Yes, please. We expect and appreciate that you inform us if you have plans to organise an edition of the Generation Games. We keep track of all editions. Also to be able to know the worldwide effect of the event. And we can support you, and give advice and feedback. So, if you consider organising an edition, please let us know. You can do so via the Register your event page

Is it difficult to organise the Generation Games?

No, it is not very difficult. The creative framework is available, including ready-to-use designs in the toolkit. You need enthusiastic organisers. Every community is capable of organising an edition, even without professionals. Teamwork will be important, connecting/involving expertise in the field of event management, communication, and so forth. Many hands make light work. Preparing the event is part of the fun. And you decide on the scale and ambition.

Do the teams play against each other?

The teams do not play against each other, each team participates in several sports. For some sports, you can also think of some quick matches between 2 teams: not too fanatic, because all of the participants should enjoy!

How much does an edition in total cost?

The event can be realised with very limited resources. Almost with no budget. By involving several partners. We stimulate cities to co-create as much as possible and work together. Find partners that understand the concept. You don’t need expensive and fancy materials to realise a great event!
The teams had a very good time, the atmosphere was excellent.
Inka Helin
Generation Games Tampere 2017

How can the event be financed?

It’s more like ‘realising’ than ‘financing’. The event is based on volunteerism. You will need sports materials, perhaps some music, t-shirts for the volunteers, 1 or 2 photographers. Find people in the community, local businesses and citizens, that can play a role. Some costs, perhaps the city or partners can cover.

How much preparation time do we need?

On average 4 to 5 months. Since every edition is different, also preparation time could be different. You need enough time to find the people to play a role, to get permission for a location, and to promote the event. Most of these activities can be done at the same time, parallel to each other.

Do the participants need to qualify, and is some kind of training needed?

There are no qualifications and no training is needed. Anyone can take part in the sports activities offered during the Generation Games. A good warming-up before the event would be good. And of course, if the teams want to practice a bit in the weeks and months before the event, that’s great.

Does the event cause traffic jams and do we need crowd control?

Even if you have over 500 teams participating, this won’t be a problem for traffic. The event is different from a running event, with a huge group of people all at once running in the street and blocking the streets. During the Generation Games, small groups of people (3-5 people per team) walk through the city. So, the event has no negative traffic implications.

Can you give examples of partnerships?

Partners can play various roles: sports clubs providing sports materials, local supermarket could supply fruit, a national sports federation could organise a clinic, and so forth.

Do we need flags or banners for the event?

Yes, that would be nice! It contributes to the atmosphere of the event to have festival banners. You could place a banner at every sports activity, so the teams know where to go. The toolkit provides the design. You can print these yourself.

Which sports are offered during the Generation Games?

You decide! The Generation Games is a multi-sports event. For that reason, we would advise a minimum of 7 sports. You can think of very popular, well-known sports. And sports many people never played before. One activity will last about 10 minutes. The teams walk from one activity to another. It is important that each activity is fit for the whole team.

How many people form a generation team? How many generations in a team?

Around 3-5 persons form a team. The best would be to have 3 generations in a team. Like kids, parents, grandparents. But two generations is also fine. The sports activities are developed for teams of this size.

How are the generation teams formed?

The people in the city form their own team. For instance, a team with some family members. A city can also decide to stimulate new connections: making teams of people in the city that don’t know each other. People will get to know other people in this way. For school editions, teams can consist of the pupils and their families.

Can individual companies also organise an edition?

Yes, that is certainly possible. A company could organise an edition with their employees and their families.

What are good locations in the city?

That’s up to you. You can use one square for the event. You can also decide to organise the event on two city squares and use a connecting street as well. It’s good to have one main location where most of the sports take place and an opening and closing ceremony. You can also include some surrounding streets, sidewalks, and additional squares. All at walking distance of course. It underlines the city as an urban playground. You need about 10 x 10 meters for each sport. For some sports, you need less.

Should we measure the results of the event?

Yes, please. We will share with you how to measure and which performance indicators to use. In step 8 on the Do it yourself page, you will find an evaluation form to reflect on the results of your event.

Can we connect with other initiatives in the city?

Sure! You can connect the Generation Games with other projects and events in the city. The Generation Games offers a podium for projects with mutual objectives. If you can connect with initiatives and organisations in the field of social inclusion, educational projects, or stimulating an active lifestyle, please do.

What is the ‘relay baton project’?

During the event, the participating teams can decorate their own baton (carton packaging material) and pass it on to another cities, with inspirational messages inside. Like a message in a bottle to make valuable, purposeful connections within communities, and between cities. The relay baton has a strong symbolic value, an important symbol of the Generation Games. The relay baton stands for teamwork, sharing, passing on, and positive legacies. Please let us know if you are interested.

Is it possible to work with sponsors?

Sure! A city can involve many (sports) organisations, businesses, and partners. We stimulate cities to connect with partners working on healthy lifestyles, intergenerational solidarity, and inclusive societies with a good match with the Generation Games. For example, companies in the field of sports equipment and healthy food. No sponsors in the field of alcohol and tobacco. Please check with us if you are not sure.

How many volunteers are needed?

You need around 2 volunteers per activity. For some sports, 1 volunteer is enough. And you need some volunteers to hand out the scorecard, to provide general information. Also for photography and other activities.

Why is the concept 100% free and open source?

The concept is available at no cost and open source. This is simple: we are convinced that the Generation Games concept has more impact if it is 100% available for any city and community around the world. The Generation Games is an intergenerational sport for all event, organised around the world. Everyone can take part, in a sympathetic, non-competitive atmosphere. A fee could be a barrier for some cities: that’s why the creative concept is ready-to-use.