In the South of the Netherlands, where creativity meets community movement, YOUFOSPORTS is reshaping how new sports are developed, scaled, and embedded into everyday life. As an innovative sports organization and international federation, YOU.FO is bringing a fresh, inclusive, and accessible team sport to schools, clubs, and communities across Europe. Through the I3‑INSHAPE project, YOU.FO is now accelerating both its digital ecosystem and its European rollout, building a hybrid model that blends online engagement with on‑the‑field activity.
We interviewed Giel Bos, Director of Sports at YOU.FO, to learn more about their vision and work.
Giel, can you introduce YOU.FO in a few words?
YOU.FO is an innovative sports organization and international federation developing and scaling a new, inclusive team sport built for accessibility and community impact. Based in the Netherlands but operating through regional hubs and local partners, we aim to engage (young) people in a happy and active lifestyle. Our mission is to make sport easy to adopt, fun to play, and scalable across regions and cultures.
What kind of solutions or services do you offer? How do you stand out in the market?
We offer a complete sport ecosystem:
- a new, engaging sport format (YOU.FO),
- a regional HUB implementation model,
- education and training programs,
- and digital engagement tools to support players and organizations.
We stand out due to our plug‑and‑play approach, low barriers to entry, and strong community ethos. YOU.FO is designed to be inclusive, adaptable, and scalable, making it easy for municipalities, schools, clubs, and organizations to adopt. Our vision is to grow as a global sport while maintaining our community‑driven foundations.
What type of solution are you and your SME partner developing within I3‑INSHAPE?
Within I3‑INSHAPE, YOU.FO and TPE Mandragora are co‑developing a hybrid solution that combines digital and physical sport development.
YOU.FO leads the sport concept and methodology, while TPE supports regional rollout and real‑life validation in Catalonia.
The result is an ecosystem where a YOU.FO mobile app supports real‑world pilots, events, competitions, and community engagement, enabling scalable adoption across Europe.
Importance of the I3‑INSHAPE Project and the INSHAPE Initiative
What tangible impact does I3‑INSHAPE have on your project, from development to market access?
I3‑INSHAPE enables us to accelerate both digital development and international validation. The project creates the conditions to test our app and sport format across borders, gather feedback, and build a clear path to market. Without I3‑INSHAPE’s support, combining technical development with real‑world pilots and international partnerships in such a short time would have been far more difficult.
Why are initiatives like I3‑INSHAPE essential for the future of sport and vitality in Europe?
These initiatives bridge innovation, regional ecosystems, and SMEs. They help turn promising ideas into deployable, scalable solutions that respond to key societal challenges such as inactivity, inclusion, and sustainable participation.
By fostering collaboration across borders, they create momentum for a more active, digitally connected, and health‑driven European future.
What are your expectations for the future within the I3‑INSHAPE project?
Our expectation is to deliver a validated hybrid sport solution that other European regions can adopt. In the long term, we aim to scale the YOU.FO app and HUB model across Europe, positioning YOU.FO as a central player in the evolving sport and vitality ecosystem.
What’s one key takeaway you’d like people to remember about INSHAPE?
INSHAPE turns collaboration into real impact. It shows that when technology, regions, and people come together, sport innovations can grow from concepts into scalable, cross‑border solutions that benefit communities across Europe.
📌 Learn more about YOU.FO: https://you.fo/
📧 Contact: Giel@you.fo