BESF Support Two Groundbreaking EU Projects
Promoting Health and Wellbeing in Esports: Our Role in Two Groundbreaking Erasmus+ Projects
The Belgian Esports Federation is proud to be involved in two major European initiatives aiming to improve the health and wellbeing of esports players: the GG Project and the E-Health Project. Both projects are Erasmus+ funded collaborations between academic institutions, esports organisations, and policy experts across Europe, each dedicated to addressing important aspects of life in esports.
From Research to Resources: GG Project Survey Reaches Over 1,000 Players
The GG Project recently completed its first major milestone. Focused on promoting mental health in esports, the project closed its worldwide survey in early 2025, gathering insights from over 1,000 gamers from a variety of competitive levels. The results, now available in a summary report (available here), reveal key mental health challenges and opportunities within esports and will directly inform the development of free, evidence-based resources for the community.
The GG Project resources, which will cover a range of topics from mental health literacy and psychological skills training to sleep support and coaching, will be launched later this year. The GG Project’s mission is not only to support individual players but also to empower the broader support network around them, including coaches and parents. This closely aligns with the BESF’s strategy to promote holistic player development and uphold integrity and wellbeing in esports environments.
Kicking Off the E-Health Project: Physical Activity and Healthy Habits in Esports
Just as the GG Project’s survey phase wraps up, the E-Health Project is kicking off with a mission to promote active and healthy lifestyles among esports players. The project’s consortium met last week at ISCTE University in Lisbon for a launch event, where partners shared ideas and aligned goals for the months ahead.
This ambitious project is designed to understand the physical and lifestyle habits of esports athletes, and then translate that data into engaging educational multimedia tools. The aim is to help players integrate physical activity into their lives and adopt long-term health habits that support both performance and wellbeing.
The BESF is thrilled to be part of this initiative, contributing especially in the areas of communication and dissemination. The E-Health Project also has policy ambitions, working toward the creation of a Code of Conduct for esports organisations that promotes health-focused best practices across Europe.
Building Expertise in Esports Health and Performance
BESF’s growing role in these international projects is strengthened by the recent appointment of Matthew Watson as our Vice-Chair for Health & Wellbeing and Nalin Chaturvedi as Vice-Chair of the Player Engagement and Community Development Commission. Matt brings a unique blend of experience as a coach in both traditional sports and elite-level esports (including roles in the LEC, LFL, and NLC), combined with a strong academic background in sport science, coaching, and performance psychology. Nalin has supported athlete engagement efforts at major global sporting events such as the Olympics and is also the Director of Publisher Relations at ESL FACEIT Group. The involvement of Matt and Nalin in both the GG Project and E-Health Project ensures that the BESF will remain closely connected to the latest evidence-based practices in health and performance and deliver impactful project outcomes.
A Healthier Future for Esports in Belgium and Beyond
Through our active involvement in both the GG and E-Health projects, BESF is committed to helping players in the Belgian esports ecosystem to fulfil their gaming ambitions and compete in environments that support their health, wellbeing, and long-term success. We’re proud to contribute to shaping a healthier, more sustainable future for esports, both here in Belgium and across Europe. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about new resources, events, and opportunities to get involved!
