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Physical inactivity has been linked with a number of chronic diseases affecting the population. Evidences arerising the concern and a number of nations have implemented policies promoting health increasing physical activity, using an interdisciplinary approach. New methodologies for assessing their efficacy have to consider the growing complexity and the multisectorial context of the setting. The purpose of this paper is to describe an evaluation project of physical activity promotion programs, which have been implemented in three different Italian regions: Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Autonomous Province of Trento. The evaluation process has been specially designed for each region, taking into consideration its aims and the local context of each promotion plan. The work involved the main stakeholders and was planned bearing in mind the importance of long-term sustaina-bility. It is here proposed as a contribution for developing efficient and sustainable methods and operational tools for the evaluation of health promotion programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]