Did you know that paddle sport not only support environmental protection, but can also actively contribute to the circular economy?

Paddle sport has a close relationship with climate, natural ecosystems, and sustainable economic development. Through science-based tools, structured methodologies, and collaborative networks, the sport is increasingly positioned as a driver of environmental responsibility and sustainable growth.

If you are interested in paddle sport, climate action, and sustainable development, we invite you to register for Sustainability Webinar Two, organised as part of the International Canoe Federation Sustainability Webinar Series.

This webinar focuses on the DECK Project – Developing Environmental and Circular Knowledge, an initiative led by the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation (FICK), endorsed by the ICF, and funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ Sport Programme.

Date: 25 February 2026

Time: 10:00 CET

Register for free by clicking: here

Recording: here (pending)

About the DECK Project

The DECK Project aims to establish environmental standards for sustainable pddle sport events, while supporting sport organisations in embedding sustainability into governance, operations, and event delivery. The project places strong emphasis on:

• Promoting sustainability in water sports
• Building networks for a culture of health, environment, and sustainability
• Encouraging collaboration between national federations and stakeholders
• Through initiatives such as BENCHES (Building Networks for a Culture of Health, Environment, and Sustainability), DECK highlights FICK’s long-term commitment to greener, more inclusive paddling, while offering practical solutions that can be adapted across the wider paddlesport community.
• And more!

Webinar Description

Join this 60-minute interactive webinar to explore the DECK Project in depth and gain practical insights from National Federation representatives actively engaged in sustainability transformation.

During the session, the speakers will share their experiences, progress, and knowledge, explaining how sustainability principles can be successfully integrated into paddlesport events and organisational structures.

The panellists will make short presentations followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Participants at this webinar include:

Dr. Cecilia L. Farias (ICF Host) Since 2016, she has served as the first female Vice-President of International Canoe Federation (ICF), re-elected in 2021 and again in 2024 for a term through 2028. As Vice-President, she also chairs the ICF’s Diversity and Inclusion Commission and leads its Sustainable Development Programme, actively championing gender equality, inclusion, and environmental responsibility across global paddle sports. Before becoming a top-level sport administrator, Dr. Farias was a competitive canoe-kayak athlete in Argentina — a two-time national sprint champion and one of the first women to compete internationally in her country. Over decades she has held key posts in sport governance: including Secretary-General of the Argentine Canoe Federation, Internal Auditor of the Argentine Olympic Committee and Academic, Secretary-General and later President of the Pan American Canoe Confederation, and roles within the continental and global governance structures of canoe sports.
Matthew Campelli (Moderator) Strategist, communicator and content creator specialising in sustainability and sport. Touchline Earth Founder and Managing Director.
Anna Merlini (Speaker) Anna Merlini has collaborated as a researcher with the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa, Italy. She has extensive experience in environmental sustainability and sport. Currently, Anna is the Environmental Sustainability Officer for the Italian Kayak Federation, where she also serves as Project Manager for Erasmus+ Sport European initiatives, including Developing Environmental Circular Knowledge (DECK) and Biodiversity, Ecosystems and Nature Conservation Helped and Enhanced by Sports (BENCHES). In addition to her national environmental project management role, Anna is also an active member of the National Federation School Commission and coordinates environmental education projects across Northern Italy.
Georgia Griva (Speaker) Georgia Griva is Director of the Hellenic Canoe-Kayak, SUP & Surfing Federation, where she has played a leading role in sport governance and event management for over two decades. She is currently an Advisor and Project Manager on Environmental Policies and Implementation, and a key coordinator of the DECK – Developing Environmental & Circular Knowledge project under the Erasmus+ Sport Programme. With extensive experience in organising international competitions and sustainability-driven initiatives, Georgia brings strong expertise in integrating environmental responsibility into sport governance, event operations, and paddlesport development at national and international levels.

Webinar Goals

• • Demonstrate how National Federations can integrate sustainability into governance and daily operations
  • Explore the opportunities and challenges associated with delivering more sustainable sporting events
  • Share knowledge, tools, and practical experience with other National Federations and organisations within the paddle sport community

Learning Outcomes

• • By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:
  • Understand how National Federations can collaborate effectively to embed sustainability principles into event planning, governance, and operations
  • Identify practical approaches and tools used by DECK Project partners to reduce the environmental impact of sporting events
  • Recognise common challenges and opportunities in delivering more sustainable events across different national contexts
  • Apply shared lessons and best practices to their own organisations, events, or sustainability projects within the paddlesport community

There are two more paddle sport and sustainability webinars scheduled in 2026. Please stay tuned. We will announce them soon.

Register for free by clicking: here

Register now to join the International Canoe Federation’s Sustainability Webinar Series and be part of the movement shaping a more sustainable future for paddle sport.