Improving Sustainability of Sports Facilities and Events through Circular Economy

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B IPA Adriatic-Ionian

Date of latest update: 2026-01-29

Description

Description (EN):

The UN has launched the Global Climate Action: Sports for Climate Action Framework and the Football for the Goals Initiative, highlighting the complexity of sports’ impact on climate, the difficulty to measure the impact, and its importance for the achievement of sustainable development goals. Furthermore, most sports organisations and fans would now acknowledge that sports’ contribution to climate change is considerable. On the other hand, sports’ global interest for billions of fans and the media coverage generated in response, provide a strong platform for the sector to play an exemplary role in meeting the climate change challenge and inspire large audiences to do the same. The EU Work Plan for Sports 2021-2024 acknowledges the role of sports in Environment and the fight against climate change, portraited under “Priority Area: Socio-economic and environmental dimensions of sport” and the key topics of “Green Sport”, “Sport facilities” and “Major Sporting Events”. In 2021, the EC launched the Expert Groups on Green Sport, focusing on developing sustainable sport practices in Europe. Also, the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) launched by the EC in 2020 is one of the main building blocks of the European Green Deal and includes actions directly related to sports that refer to buildings' sustainability, recycling, reducing waste etc. Moreover, UEFA, the leading sports association in Europe has created its “Strength Through Unity– Football Sustainability Strategy 2030” including 4 key environmental policies: 1) Circular Economy (CE), 2) Climate & Advocacy, 3) Event Sustainability and 4) Infrastructure Sustainability. In 2022, UEFA launched its “Circular Economy Guidelines” identifying 4 areas of activity: 1) Food & Beverage within football organizations, facilities and events; 2) Energy & Water regarding active and passive energy, renewable energy, water cycle; 3) Apparel & Football Equipment and 4) Event Materials including signage, brand production, furniture & IT equipment. The ADRIONOSPORTS project aims to contribute to the climate change struggle and the European Green Deal goals, inspired also by UEFAs’ Sustainability Strategy 2030 and CE Guidelines, by improving the sustainability of sports facilities and events through CE principles. In the sports sector, events face big challenges in terms of climate change, resources and waste management. Carbon emissions that contribute to climate change are a significant issue for these events. Large amounts of waste are produced during events, while energy consumption to power facilities and water consumption for toilets and to irrigate the fields and nearby areas put more pressure on the environment. On top of these issues, we should also consider the consumption, waste and pollution produced when constructing new buildings, parking lots, apartments and other structures that are linked to sport events. ADRIONOSPORTS proposes a holistic approach, in line with UEFA’s 4 key environmental policies and CE Guidelines, that aims to address collectively the challenges under these topics and create a benchmark for sustainable sports facilities and events. The project builds upon the concept of CE to propose sustainable ways of improving the ecological footprint of sports events and facilities, following the 4 CE principles (4R): Reducing – Reusing – Recycling - Recovering. The ADRIONOSPORTS transnational partnership will share and valorise past experiences with the aim to jointly: a) develop a Joint Strategy & Action Plan for adopting CE principles in sports facilities and events, b) implement pilot actions showcasing the benefits brought by CE, c) build stakeholders’ capacities through the ADRION Circular Economy Academy and d) create a Toolbox for Green Sports Facilities and Events to be utilised by entities beyond the partnership in the ADRION area and beyond. Transnational cooperation is required to complement and expand knowledge on project topics and to overcome limitations of regional and national markets. This cooperation is enhanced by the support of UEFA, contributing with its “Football Sustainability Strategy 2030”, and ensuring extensive capitalisation by National Football Associations, their members and UEFA’s stakeholders’ network. The uniqueness of the project lies on a) its focus on the sports sector that - although a huge waste producer - has not been targeted so far by projects at European or even national level, despite its popularity that can significantly inspire and influence other sectors (incl. public administration) and individuals, and b) the strong commitment and support of UEFA safeguarding also project replicability and transferability. ADRIONOSPORTS is part of the indicative actions: "Identify and implement transnational action plans and strategies to enhance and/or scale up CE at regional/national/macro-regional level".

Actual Achievements (EN):

During the 1st Reporting Period, the ADRIONOSPORTS project focused on establishing a strong foundation through strategic management and coordination activities, in line with the administrative and operational requirements of the IPA ADRION Programme. A major milestone was the organisation of the project’s Kick-Off Meeting (4–5 December 2024, Heraklion, Crete), which brought together all project partners. This meeting served as a crucial starting point for defining objectives, clarifying management structures, and launching the planning of key activities across all work packages. To further support coordination and planning, a preparatory meeting was held between the Lead Partner (LP) and Project Partner 2 (PP2) in September 2024. Additionally, project representatives participated in programme-level events such as the Implementation Seminar for 1st Call Projects in Bled, Slovenia, and the IPA ADRION - INTERACT online training, both held in October 2024. Key management achievements during this period included: - Development and signing of the Partnership Agreement; - Creation of project management tools to ensure effective monitoring and execution; - Collection of partner input for updates within the JEMS system; - Formation of the Steering Committee, including development of its operational rules; - Coordination and management of advance payments to IPA partners. In terms of technical progress, the project has initiated implementation across all work packages (WPs): - WP1 (led by LP-CRETE): Partners conducted initial desk-based research into existing Circular Economy (CE) practices in the sports and other sectors within their territories. They also began mapping stakeholders likely to be involved in or affected by CE interventions in sports facilities and events, as preparatory activities for the systematic assessment of the existing situation of CE in sports facilities and events (Activity 1.1). - WP2 (led by PP2-TREK): The groundwork was laid for assessing the feasibility of planned pilot actions. To ensure momentum in WP2 activities, the project initiated the activity of verification of the physical sites where the CE interventions will be implemented by the partners as part of their Pilot Actions, through the conceptualisation of the verification approach and distribution of a standardised template for the “Verification and Justification of Selection of Pilot Sites,” enabling partners to conduct this initial feasibility step in a structured and consistent manner (Activity 2.1). - WP3 (led by PP3-CERVIA): Work began on initial considerations regarding the Toolbox of Good Practices in CE. A template was developed for collecting and documenting innovative CE applications in sports infrastructure and events, which will contribute to knowledge transfer and replication potential. - WP4 (led by LP-CRETE): Communication activities (Activity 4.3) were launched, including the design of a project poster, initial social media visibility, and promotion of the project and Kick-Off Meeting by partners. Under Activity 4.1 “ADRION CE Academy”, initial stakeholder mapping began for the forthcoming Circular Economy Academy, while Activity 4.2 “Capitalisation Activities” saw the identification of key target groups for capitalisation efforts. These actions are essential for ensuring broad visibility and long-term impact. The joint efforts of transnational partners and the harmonisation of tools and approaches during this start-up phase have ensured alignment on project goals and methodologies and strengthen the project’s positioning to deliver innovative and replicable Circular Economy interventions in the sports sector. Overall, the ADRIONOSPORTS project has made substantial progress in laying the groundwork for successful implementation, ensuring that both strategic planning and technical preparations are on track to deliver impactful results in the next phases. During its first year, the ADRIONOSPORTS project progressed in line with the Application Form and work plan, achieving its initial objectives related to the establishment of effective project management and coordination structures and the initiation of technical activities across all four Work Packages. Concerning project management and coordination, the Lead Partner (LP1-CRETE), in close cooperation with PP2-TREK as Technical Coordinator, established the organisational and operational framework required for efficient implementation. The Partnership Agreement was developed and signed by all partners, defining roles, responsibilities and internal procedures. Project management and monitoring tools were created, including a detailed project time plan, an activity monitoring tool and a budget performance assessment tool, allowing systematic tracking of progress and expenditures. A Steering Committee was formally established and its operational rules were defined. Financial management activities included the coordination of advance payments to IPA partners, the preparation, submission and revision of the 1st Project Report, and the management of the distribution of the approved first payment to all project partners. Continuous communication and coordination with the Managing Authority/Joint Secretariat were ensured throughout the reporting period. In addition, the tendering, selection and contracting process for an external expert supporting LP1-CRETE in project management and implementation was completed. Two transnational project meetings were organised during the reporting period. The Kick-Off Meeting (4–5 December 2024, Heraklion, Crete) officially launched the project, ensured a common understanding of project objectives, clarified management and coordination structures and initiated detailed planning of activities across all Work Packages. The 2nd Project Meeting (8 July 2025, Makarska, Croatia) focused on reviewing implementation progress, identifying delays and risks, and agreeing on corrective measures and adjusted timelines to ensure smooth continuation of project activities. Furthermore, the organisation of the 3rd Project Meeting along with two workshops on the validation of the Draft Joint Strategy and Action Plan (WP1) and the validation of he feasibility studies (WP2) was in progress during this period. Technical implementation advanced in all four Work Packages. WP1 (Lead: LP1-CRETE) addressed the objective of analysing the current state of Circular Economy (CE) practices in sports facilities and events. Project partners conducted desk-based research and initial mapping of relevant stakeholders at territorial level. To ensure comparability of results, a standardised template for the Existing Situation Analysis was developed in June 2025 and distributed to all partners. Completion of the analyses was ongoing by the end of the reporting period. In parallel, a questionnaire aimed at collecting stakeholder inputs for the development of a shared vision on CE in the sports sector was developed in July 2025, with data collection underway. WP2 (Lead: PP2-TREK) focused on preparing the ground for Pilot Actions. Activity 2.1 progressed through the development and application of a standardised template for the verification and justification of pilot site selection, ensuring transparency and consistency across territories. Furthermore, a common methodology for the preparation of feasibility studies for Pilot Actions was developed, providing a unified framework to assess technical, financial and organisational feasibility. WP3 (Lead: PP8-CERVIA) initiated Activity 3.1 by developing a template for the systematic collection and documentation of Good Practices in CE applied to sports infrastructure and events. This activity aims to support knowledge transfer and replication. The collection of Good Practices by project partners was ongoing at the end of the first year. WP4 (Lead: LP1-CRETE) achieved an important early output with the completion of the Communication Plan (D.4.3.1) in July 2025, following a structured stakeholder analysis conducted by all partners. Communication activities were launched, including the design of the project poster, the establishment of project social media accounts and dissemination actions related to the project and the Kick-Off Meeting. Additionally, initial stakeholder identification started for the Circular Economy Academy (Activity 4.1), while Activity 4.2 focused on identifying key target groups for capitalisation activities. Overall, the first year of implementation resulted in the establishment of shared tools, methodologies and coordination mechanisms across the partnership. This transnational cooperation ensured a harmonised approach to project implementation, strengthened exchange of knowledge and experience among partners, and created a solid basis for the implementation of Pilot Actions, capacity-building and capitalisation activities in the subsequent phases.

Project outputs: Joint Strategy & Action Plan for adopting Circular Economy principles in sports facilities and events in the ADRION area(EN)
Pilot Actions with the aim to adopt Circular Economy principles in sports facilities and events(EN)
Pilot Toolbox for Green Sports Facilities and Events in the ADRION area(EN)
ADRION Circular Economy Academy(EN)

Thematic information

Institutional cooperation and cooperation networks

Priority: (VI-B_IPA-A_2) Supporting a greener and climate resilient Adriatic-Ionian region

Priority specific objective: RSO2.6. Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 075 Support to environmentally-friendly production processes and resource efficiency in SMEs

Partners (9)

Lead Partner: Περιφέρεια Κρήτης

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 931060709

Partner’s ID if not PIC: EL997579388

Department: Department of European and International Affairs

Address: Eleftherias Square, 71202 Irakleio, Greece

Department address: Eleftherias Square, 71202 Irakleio, Greece

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://www.crete.gov.gr/

Total budget: EUR 300 000.22

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 255 000.18

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 45 000.04

Contractors:

Name: PlanO2
VAT registration or tax identification number: 800549664

Lead Partner: Περιφέρεια Κρήτης

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 931060709

Partner’s ID if not PIC: EL997579388

Department: Department of European and International Affairs

Address: Eleftherias Square, 71202 Irakleio, Greece

Department address: Eleftherias Square, 71202 Irakleio, Greece

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://www.crete.gov.gr/

Total budget: EUR 300 000.22

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 255 000.18

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 45 000.04

Comune di Cervia

Name: Comune di Cervia

Department: Community Services and City Development Dept.

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 943505906

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 00360090393

Address: Piazza Garibaldi, 48015 Cervia, Italy

Department address: Piazza Garibaldi, 48015 Cervia, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.comunecervia.it

Total budget: EUR 233 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 198 050.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 950.00

Contractors:

Name: Studio dott. Maurizio Tomalino
VAT registration or tax identification number: 06848740012
Name: Naxta srl
VAT registration or tax identification number: 02135061206

Regionalna agencija za ekonomski razvoj Šumadije i Pomoravlja

Name: Regionalna agencija za ekonomski razvoj Šumadije i Pomoravlja

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 952966413

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 100559100

Address: Kralja Petra I, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.redasp.rs

Total budget: EUR 150 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 127 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 500.00

Javna ustanova "Centar za sport i rekreaciju"

Name: Javna ustanova "Centar za sport i rekreaciju"

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 886524420

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 4200560530009

Address: Mis Irbina, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: https://csrsa.ba

Total budget: EUR 150 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 127 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 500.00

Fudbalski savez Crne Gore

Name: Fudbalski savez Crne Gore

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 886543917

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 02019949

Address: Bulevar Veljka Vlahovića bb, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Other

Website: http://www.fscg.me

Total budget: EUR 150 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 127 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 500.00

Grad Makarska

Name: Grad Makarska

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 922154751

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR53515145212

Address: Obala kralja Tomislava , 21300 Makarska , Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://makarska.hr/

Total budget: EUR 180 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 153 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 27 000.00

TURIZEM BOHINJ, zavod za pospeševanje turizma

Name: TURIZEM BOHINJ, zavod za pospeševanje turizma

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI84521147

Address: Cesta Staneta Žagarja , 4000 Kranj, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.bsc-kranuj.si

Total budget: EUR 180 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 153 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 27 000.00

TREK Αναπτυξιακών Υπηρεσιών και Υποδομών Ανώνυμη Εταιρεία

Name: TREK Αναπτυξιακών Υπηρεσιών και Υποδομών Ανώνυμη Εταιρεία

Department: REGIO

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 984128439

Partner’s ID if not PIC: EL095432501

Address: Kifissias Avenue, 11526 Athens, Greece

Department address: Kifissias Avenue, 11526 Athens, Greece

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: https://www.trek-development.eu/

Total budget: EUR 260 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 221 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 39 000.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Comune di Cervia

Improving Sustainability of Sports Facilities and Events through Circular Economy

Partners and Projects info

Regional Economic Development Agency for Sumadija and Pomoravlje

Improving Sustainability of Sports Facilities and Events through Circular Economy

Partners and Projects info

Public institution "Center for Sports and Recreation"

Improving Sustainability of Sports Facilities and Events through Circular Economy

Partners and Projects info

Football Association of Montenegro

Improving Sustainability of Sports Facilities and Events through Circular Economy

Partners and Projects info

City of Makarska

Improving Sustainability of Sports Facilities and Events through Circular Economy

Partners and Projects info

TOURISM BOHINJ

Improving Sustainability of Sports Facilities and Events through Circular Economy

Partners and Projects info

TREK Development SA

Improving Sustainability of Sports Facilities and Events through Circular Economy

Partners and Projects info

Region of Crete

Improving Sustainability of Sports Facilities and Events through Circular Economy

Partners and Projects info

Region of Crete

Improving Sustainability of Sports Facilities and Events through Circular Economy

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Improving Sustainability of Sports Facilities and Events through Circular Economy

Project acronym: ADRIONOSPORTS

Project ID: IPA-ADRION00289

Project start date: 2024-09-01

Project end date: 2027-08-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

PRO-ENERGY (EN) | PRO-ENERGY project (funded by Interreg Balkan-Mediterranean 2014-2020) dealt with the improvement of energy efficiency and resource management of public buildings. Its Joint Strategy & Action plan, ICT solutions, Cost- Benefit-Analysis Modelers, Energy Performance Contracting and other tools will be valorised for the definition of the Pilot Actions and the development of the Toolbox. PP2-TREK will be the link between the two projects. (EN), CIRCLE-IN (EN) | CIRCLE-IN - Promoting CIRCuLar Economy Investments and policies in the cross-border area of Greece-Italy” (funded by Interreg V-A Greece-Italy 2014-2020), was a project aimed at promoting Circular Economy in the cross-border area of Greece and Italy. The project developed a strategy for the promotion of Circular Economy, a Capacity-Building program, a Joint Pilot Circular Economy platform and implemented an awareness campaign on Circular Economy. PP2-TREK will be the link between the two projects and will valorise the aforementioned outputs and results of Circle-In in the implementation of the ADRIONOSPORTS. (EN), ECOWASTE4FOOD (EN) | ECOWASTE4FOOD - Supporting eco-innovation to reduce food waste and promote a better resource efficient economy (funded by Interreg Europe 2014-2020) brought together seven local and regional authorities from seven countries throughout Europe with the ambition to address the crucial issue of food waste. Its objective was not only limited to stop an unacceptable situation which causes the loss of up to 50% of the agricultural production that keeps not consumed or is consumed in a wrong way regarding health concerns, but also to demonstrate that food waste could be at source of a resource efficient and environmentally friendly economy for the territories. It is quite clear that the topic of ECOWASTE4FOOD is directly linked to circular economy practices that can be applied in sports facilities and events especially when food is concerned. In this respect, PP2-TREK will be the link between the two projects and will capitalise on the results of the ECOWASTE4FOOD project to contribute to the development of strategies and pilot actions to improve sustainability of sports facilities and events, especially when it comes to produced food waste during sports events. (EN), INCIRCLE (EN) | INTERREG MED INCIRCLE (support INsular and low-density areas in the transition towards a more CIRCuLar Economy) built up on previous projects, capitalising knowledge and available tools to test a new methodology that will apply the principles of circular economy to the tourism sector, with a focus on the peculiar needs of islands and low-density areas. INCIRCLE tailored policies address mobility, energy efficiency, use of limited resources as water and waste production, while enhancing community prosperity and quality of life. LP1-CRETE will be the link between the two projects and will capitalise on the results of the project to contribute to the development of strategies and pilot actions to improve sustainability of sports facilities and events. (EN), SCREEN (EN) | HORIZON 2020 SCREEN (Synergic Circular Economy across European Regions) - SCREEN has defined a replicable systemic approach towards a transition to Circular Economy in EU regions within the context of the Smart Specialization Strategy, thus contributing to novel future eco-innovative and horizontal business models across different value chains. LP1-CRETE will be the link between the two projects and will capitalise on these business models to define approaches, within the strategies and action plans, that improve sustainability of sports facilities and events. (EN), BLUEfasma (EN) | INTERREG MED “BLUEfasma” (Empowering Innovation Capacities of SMEs, maritime clusters and networks, in MED islands and coastal areas to support blue circular economy growth in fishing/aquaculture) - BLUEfasma is about rethinking circularity. In particular, BLUEfasma aspires to trigger change in the fishing/aquaculture sector of Mediterranean islands and coastal areas by reinforcing the adaptation of Circular Economy (CE) practices. BLUEfasma tackles the challenges of continual depletion of natural resources and the low Mediterranean CE innovation performance in fishing/aquaculture by empowering innovation capacity of SMEs, maritime clusters/networks and Public Authorities to boost blue CE growth. LP1-CRETE will be the link between the two projects and will capitalise on the results of the project, especially in relation to the adaptation of CE practices to tackle the challenge of natural resources depletion, to apply similar methodologies in ADRIONOSPORTS and improve sustainability of sports facilities and events. (EN), REPLACE (EN) | REPLACE Interreg EU (REgional PoLicy Actions for Circular Economy) - REPLACE aimed at improving management, implementation and monitoring of regional policy instruments targeted at facilitating the transition towards a CE, while boosting sustainable development: the main operative target refers to the development and application of policies and actions focusing on identification, valorisation, assessment and financing of circular value chains, resulting in new local and interregional projects. REPLACE developed a replicable framework for regional benchmark on circularity excellence level. LP1-CRETE will be the link between the two projects and will valorise the framework for regional benchmark on circularity excellence to set measurable objectives in the ADRIONOSPORTS strategy and action plan and to assess circularity excellence in the pilot actions. (EN), IMPRECO (EN) | Interreg Adrion “IMPRECO” (Common strategies and best practices to IMprove the transnational PRotection of ECOsystem integrity and services) - IMPRECO main objective is to enhance the safeguarding of ecosystem services and tackle their environmental vulnerability strengthening the potential of protected areas in biodiversity and ecosystems conservation through their transnational networking. LP1-CRETE will be the link between the two projects and will capitalise on the results of IMPRECO to ensure the safeguarding of the sustainability improvements of ADRIONOSPORTS practices and in turn, ensure the durability of project results. (EN), RElevant Audience Plan Leading to Awareness Network for Circular Economy Use of Recycled Tyre materials in city LIFE (EN) | RElevant Audience Plan Leading to Awareness Network for CIrcular Economy Use of Recycled Tyre materials in city LIFE is a LIFE20 GIE/FR/000282 project that aims to raise awareness about theCircular Economy opportunities for RTM products and applications that will foster the adoption of environmentally friendly behavior and practice in urban communities. The focus is to make available models and experiences that may easily be adopted to improve the infrastructure for transport (roads and rails), Concrete and Building (steel fibersreinforced concrete for industrial flooring and roads, rubber sheets and layers for noise reduction,recycled fibers
textile panels for insulation), Urban and Street Furniture, Sports and Leisure products and applications (sport facilities, rubber surfaces for multisport and leisure activities, etc.) The awareness-raising activities will be organised to interact between and among Municipalgovernments, industrial sectors, professionalorganisations, training bodies. LP1-CRETE is currently running this project and aspires to create complementarities and synergies between this project and ADRIONOSPORTS.
(EN), LEGEND (EN) | PP7-REDASP was the partner at the project “Low Enthalpy Geothermal Energy Demonstration cases for Energy Efficient building in Adriatic area – LEGEND”, implemented from October 2012 to March 2015 in the context of the IPA CBC Adriatic Programme. The overall objective was to promote the better management of resources through the exploitation of the low enthalpy geothermal energy in the Adriatic area and through the development of pilot applications in public and residential buildings as well as the development of cost/benefit monitoring activities and policy and financial supporting schemes. Within the project and in the partnership with the City of Kragujevac a pre-feasibility study on energy efficiency of the public swimming pool was produced and the conceptual design for implementation of geothermal pumps and solar panels. ADRIONSPORT activities can be considered as a continuation of elaborating and implementing sustainable environment models in sports facilities and analyses and management models of LEGEND will be used in the implementation of the project.
(EN), TACKLE (EN) | TACKLE (LIFE) aimed at improving environmental management of football matches and the overall level of awareness and attention towards environmental issues in the football sector. Between 2018 and 2021, best practices on environmental management were collected and tested in different stadiums across Europe and information exchanged among NFAs to guide their implementation. The project's supporting organisation UEFA will be the link between the two projects since it was involved in the TACKLE project through National Football Associations. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 603 000.22

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 362 550.18

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 85.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Report on existing situation analysis of Circular Economy in sports facilities in project areas
Workshop for the validation of the existing situation analysis
Questionnaire of the collection of information on the shared stakeholder vision for Circular Economy
Report on the shared stakeholder vision for Circular Economy in the ADRION area
Draft Joint Strategy & Action Plan for adopting CE principles in sports facilities and events
Workshop for the validation of the Joint Strategy & Action Plan for adopting CE principles
Final Joint Strategy & Action Plan for adopting CE principles in sports facilities and events
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the adoption of the Joint Strategy & Action Plan
Methodology for the drafting of feasibility studies
Workshop for the validation of the feasibility studies
Feasibility Studies for Pilot Actions on adopting CE principles in sports facilities and events
Report on the Implementation of the Pilot Action in Crete
Report on the Implementation of the Pilot Action in Bohinj
Report on the Implementation of the Pilot Action in Makarska
Report on the Implementation of the Pilot Action in Podgorica
Report on the Implementation of the Pilot Action in Sarajevo
Report on the Implementation of the Pilot Action in Kragujevac
Report on the Implementation of the Pilot Action in Cervia
Report on the assessment of available tools and solutions for CE interventions
Draft Pilot Toolbox for Green Sports Facilities and Events in the ADRION area
Guidelines and recommendations for the replicability and transferability
Workshop for the presentation and validation of the pilot Toolbox
Pilot Toolbox for Green Sports Facilities and Events in the ADRION area
ADRION Circular Economy Academy
ADRIONOSPORTS Roadmap for the Capitalisation of Project Outputs and Results
Report on collaboration and exchange visits with other relevant projects of Interreg programmes
Report on the participation in IPA ADRION Thematic Clusters and in thematic meetings
Communication Plan
ADRIONOSPORTS Promotional Video
Media and Communication Kit
ADRIONOSPORTS Final Networking Event

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal The recently adopted European Green Deal aims at an economic growth decoupled from resource use and at an increase of the share of renewable energy in final energy consumption. ADRIONOSPORTS will contribute to these goals through the application of circular economy practices in sports facilities and events Thus, it directly contributes to the element of "mobilising industry for a clean and circular economy" of the European Green Deal.
EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion ADRIONOSPORTS promotes climate neutrality of sports facilities and events thus contributing to a better Environmental Quality, the 2nd thematic pillar of EUSAIR. Furthermore, the ADRIONOSPORTS consortium includes partners from EUSAIR areas in 7 out of 10 countries Italy, Slovenia, Greece, Montenegro, Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina representing thus a critical mass with direct interest in the sustainable development of the region.
Other ADRIONOSPORTS contributes to the Territorial Agenda 2030 through "climate change mitigation and adaptation actions". It specifically contributes to territorial priorities of "Healthy Environment: Better ecological livelihoods, climate-neutral and resilient towns, cities and regions" by promoting climate neutrality of sports facilities and events and by instigating cooperation between territories.
Other ADRIONOSPORTS contributes to the thematic policy area of environment and energy of the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region Strategy (EUSALP), and more specifically to the achievement of the objective for "ensuring sustainability in the Alps: preserving the Alpine heritage and promoting a sustainable use of natural and cultural resources". This is achieved through the promotion of climate neutrality of sports facilities and events and the contribution in promoting the sustainable use of natural resources in the region. Furthermore, the ADRIONOSPORTS partnership includes partners from EUSALP areas in Italy and Slovenia with direct interest in the sustainable development of the region.
Other UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC) SPORTS FOR CLIMATE ACTION: The UNFCCC sports for climate action initiative sets principles and strategies for participating facilities to achieve net-zero operations by 2040. ADRIONOSPORTS directly contributes to the achievement of the initiative's objectives by promoting climate neutrality for sports facilities and events and by promoting a transferable and replicable set of solutions and methodologies for application to other sectors and entities beyond the consortium. UEFA who supports ADRIONOSPORTS has joined this initiative.
Other UEFA's STRENGTH THROUGH UNITY - FOOTBALL SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY 2030: This strategy includes 4 key policies for the environment and a specific policy related to infrastructure sustainability. ADRIONOSPORTS, also through the support of UEFA to the project will contribute to the strategy and the specific policy on infrastructure sustainability by promoting sustainability of sports facilities and events and by creating a set of tools and solutions that can improve sustainability of the sector in the long-term.
Other ADRIONOSPORTS contributes to the achievement of objectives set in UEFA's Circular Economy Guidelines. ADRIONOSPORTS proposes a holistic approach, in line with the latter, that aims to address collectively the challenges under these topics and create a benchmark for sustainable sports facilities and sports events.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B IPA Adriatic-Ionian

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-01

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

70 / 70 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

653 / 653 (100%)

Notes on the data

Languages

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Improving Sustainability of Sports Facilities and Events through Circular Economy

Description

Thematic information

Partners (9)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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