The Italian Canoe Kayak Federation (FICK) marked World Environment Day with a powerful message: “Together, we build a sustainable future for the Earth and for humanity. It’s not just a slogan. It’s a call to action. Time is running out, and our planet needs concrete gestures, not just words.”
FICK leads the way in environmental protection with projects that embody action, awareness, and respect—such as DECK, which promotes sustainability in sports activities; BENCHES, focused on protecting riverbanks and aquatic environments; and RIPAGAIA, which transforms every canoe outing into an opportunity to make a positive impact.
At the same time, the International Canoe Federation (ICF) highlights the importance of environmental sustainability as central to the success of major sporting events. DECK proudly collaborates with ICF to support a significant milestone: ensuring that the upcoming ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships are held sustainably, showcasing a new model for eco-conscious international sport competitions.
The 2025 World Championships will not only showcase elite athletic performance but also demonstrate a new way of managing international sporting events with sustainability in mind. The event will be the first to apply the full DECK methodology, offering an opportunity to test and validate tools and strategies designed to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainable practices.
Ongoing Education and Training
While preparations for Milano 2025 are underway, DECK continues its educational and training activities aimed at strengthening environmental knowledge in the sports sector. In June, the final session of the “Sport and Environment” webinar series will take place:
Green Procurement and Bidding in Sports
Monday, 16 June at 15:00 CET
This will be followed by a national-level webinar in Greece on 24 June, organised to promote the DECK project and its tools to local stakeholders and sports organisations.
A Collaborative Approach to Sustainable Sport
DECK (Developing Environmental and Circular Knowledge) is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Sport programme and coordinated by the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation (FICK). It involves a strong international partnership that includes Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Scuola dello Sport (Sport e Salute Spa), and the national federations of Greece, Croatia, and Slovenia, all with the strategic support of the ICF.
Together, the consortium is building a replicable model that can be adopted by sports organisers across Europe and beyond—turning sustainability into an essential pillar of event planning and sports governance.
