The DECK (Developing Environmental and Circular Knowledge) project reached a milestone on August 21, 2025, with the successful conclusion of its Final Conference, held at the iconic Idroscalo venue in Milan during the ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships. The event marked the culmination of three years of collaborative work aimed at promoting sustainability in canoeing events across Europe.
The conference opened with a warm welcome from distinguished guests, including Luciano Buonfiglio, President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), Thomas Konietzko, President of the International Canoe Federation (ICF), and Antonio Rossi, Vice President of the Italian Canoe & Kayak Federation (FICK). Their speeches highlighted the importance of environmental responsibility within sport and set the stage for a day dedicated to sharing insights and experiences from the DECK project.
Anna Merlini from FICK provided an overview of the project’s objectives and key aims, underlining DECK’s commitment to establishing environmental standards for sustainable canoeing events. Matteo Semeraro from the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies then presented the project’s main results, including the development and implementation of operational tools such as the Sustainability Rating Tool and the Life Cycle Assessment to evaluate the environmental impact of sports events. Donatella Minelli from Sport e Salute showcased the dissemination and awareness-raising activities that have been crucial in extending the project’s reach and impact.
The conference featured an engaging panel discussion chaired by Tiberio Daddi of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, bringing together representatives from partner federations and organizations, including Georgia Griva (Hellenic Canoe-Kayak, SUP, Surfing Federation), Andrej Jelenc (Canoe Federation of Slovenia), Magdalena Hrženjak (Croatian Canoe Federation), Anna Merlini (FICK), Donatella Minelli (School of Sport, Sport e Salute), Roberto Maviglia from the Metropolitan City of Milan, and Cecilia Farias, Vice President of the International Canoe Federation.
The discussion explored the project’s achievements, challenges, and future prospects. During the first round, partners reflected on the overall experience of the DECK project, sharing how it has enhanced sustainability management within their organizations and the benefits for external stakeholders such as event organizers. The second round focused on the practical activities carried out during the project, highlighting the relevance of environmental impact assessments, guidelines, and the web-based practices database in improving sustainability practices across events. The final round looked toward the future, with participants outlining plans to sustain the positive outcomes of DECK, identify key topics for ongoing development, and leverage project tools in forthcoming EU-funded initiatives.
The Final Conference successfully demonstrated how DECK has fostered international cooperation to embed sustainability within canoeing and kayaking events. Through its innovative approach and strong partnerships, the project has not only created valuable tools and guidelines but also inspired lasting change in environmental awareness and operational practices within the sport.
Participation in the conference was possible both in person and via livestream, reflecting DECK’s commitment to accessibility and broad dissemination of its outcomes. As the project closes, the legacy of DECK will continue to influence the sustainability of canoeing and kayaking events across Europe, with partners committed to maintaining the momentum and applying the lessons learned in the years ahead.
View the highlights of the Final Conference
