Paddle for the Earth: From Budapest Action Days to Final Meeting in Zagreb

In 2025, the Paddle for the Earth project brought together partners from Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia for international activities combining sport, sustainability, and intercultural exchange.

The meeting in Budapest

On May 16-17, Budapest Association for International Sports hosted partners Kajak Kanu Klub Mladost (Croatia), Caritas of the Archdiocese of Zagreb (Croatia), and Kajakaško društvo Brkati som (Slovenia) for two days of learning and action.

The first day, participants joined an interactive workshop on eco-friendly practices in outdoor sports, from clean-ups to replacing disposable equipment. The day closed with a shared dinner in Budapest, fostering networking and idea exchange. The following day, participants paddled dragon boats on the Danube while collecting river waste alongside volunteers and local residents. Blending sport, environmental action, and intercultural dialogue, the activity embodied the goals of Paddle for the Earth. The day ended with a group lunch and discussions on future collaboration.

The final meeting

On 5–6 September 2025, the partners of the Erasmus+ Sport project Paddle for the Earth gathered in Zagreb for the final meeting. Representatives of all partner organisations – Caritas of the Archdiocese of Zagreb (Croatia), KKK Mladost (Croatia), BAIS (Hungary), and KDBS (Slovenia) – jointly reviewed the project’s achievements, shared lessons learned, and officially concluded the two-year initiative.

The final meeting was organised by Kajak Kanu Klub Mladost, with special thanks to Caritas of the Archdiocese of Zagreb for their hospitality and support in hosting the event on their premises.

Review of Achievements

During the meeting, partners reflected on the many accomplishments of Paddle for the Earth:

• International meetings, including the kick-off and final events.

• River and lake clean-up actions in cooperation with local environmental organisations.

• Cultural exchange activities, such as the two-day youth event in Kalje, Croatia.

• A tournament for school-age children, with a focus on sport and sustainability.

• Inclusion activities that enabled young people from Caritas, people with disabilities, and those at risk of social exclusion to experience paddling and canoe sports.

• Training sessions and educational materials on eco-friendly practices in kayaking and canoeing.

• Development of the Guidelines for Sustainable Kayaking and Canoeing Practices, the project’s main intellectual output.

• An information campaign through social media, brochures, posters, and press releases.

• Preparations for participation in the European Week of Sport, where the project will be presented with roll-up banners, guidelines, and promotional activities, as well as registration of a pledge under the HealthyLifestyle4All initiative.

Key Discussions in Zagreb

Over the two-day programme, partners focused on:

• Reviewing project results, indicators, and milestones.

• Risk management and lessons learned for the final report.

• Financial and administrative reporting.

• Drafting the structure of the final report and division of responsibilities.

• Planning dissemination and sustainability to ensure the project’s impact continues beyond its official conclusion.

  
  

The meeting ended with acknowledgements to all partners and a joint dinner celebrating the project’s results and the friendships built through cooperation.

Looking Ahead

The outcomes of Paddle for the Earth will endure through the developed Guidelines, educational materials, and strengthened cross-border networks of partner organisations. The project successfully raised awareness of sustainable practices in water sports, improved inclusion in sport, and highlighted the connection between physical activity, climate change, and healthy lifestyles.

The Paddle for the Earth project was co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Sport programme.