Menopause is often portrayed as an ending — a time of decline, withdrawal, and loss of relevance. A new project, Don’t (meno) PAUSE, challenges this narrative by presenting menopause as a powerful new life stage defined by movement, knowledge, and personal growth.

Funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Sport programme, Don’t (meno) PAUSE brings together partners from six European countries with one clear goal: to empower women aged 40 to 60 through physical activity, education, and positive communication around menopause.

The project, which officially runs from January 2026 to June 2028, is coordinated by Sportsko učilište PESG (Croatia) in collaboration with partners with partners ROMNI APS (Italy), Udruženje Žene za Žene International (Bosnia and Herzegovina), ATERMON BV (The Netherlands), Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University (Ukraine), and the Athens Network of Collaborating Experts – ANCE (Greece). Together, the consortium aims to address the lack of open, informed, and empowering conversations about menopause — particularly within the context of sport and active lifestyles.

At the heart of Don’t (meno) PAUSE is the idea that menopause is not a pause from life, but a transition into a phase where experience, self-awareness, and autonomy become central. Physical activity plays a key role in this transition. Through sport, women can strengthen not only their bodies, but also their confidence, mental well-being, and sense of agency.

Throughout the project, a wide range of activities will be implemented across partner countries. These include sport-based workshops and events, educational sessions focused on physical and mental well-being, and digital content designed to increase awareness and reduce stigma around menopause. The project will also create an online community space where women can share experiences, learn from one another, and access reliable information in a supportive environment.

A strong emphasis is placed on communication and representation. Don’t (meno) PAUSE actively avoids fear-based or deficit-oriented narratives that frame menopause as a medical problem or a period of loss. Instead, the project promotes a knowledge-based, empowering approach that highlights movement, continuity, and lifelong learning. Women are presented as active participants in their own lives — not as passive subjects of biological change.

By combining sport, education, and community-building, the project seeks to contribute to broader European objectives related to health promotion, gender equality, and active ageing. It also aims to create lasting resources that can be used beyond the project’s lifetime by organisations, practitioners, and women themselves.

Don’t (meno) PAUSE sends a clear message: life does not stop with menopause. On the contrary, it continues — with strength, movement, and purpose. Follow the project on social media to stay informed about project activities, research insights, and ongoing progress:

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The project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.