Partners Convene in Porto for 5th Steering Committee Meeting

11th March 2025, Porto: FREE KICKS partners convened for the 4th Steering Committee meeting at FC Porto’s Estadio do Dragão in Porto, Portugal; with Project Co-ordinator Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Communications and Dissemination Partner Sport Positive and football partners Real Betis Balompié, FC Porto, Malmö FF, European Club Association (ECA) and Romanian Football Federation joining in person.

The session allowed for presentations by all sports partners to provide updates on project status relating to EMAS certification and the green procurement actions. Partners discussed the scheduled upcoming fourth webinar and planning actions for the remaining training modules. All project partners were updated on communication and dissemination activities. Updates were also made regarding the networking events with the ECA Sustainability Working Group.

Pictured: Reps of Sport Positive, Real Betis Balompie, FC Porto, Malmö FF, Romanian Football Federation, and SSSA (not pictured: Rep of ECA)

Following the meeting, FC Porto held a networking presentation and event where the Porto Municipality, the Municipal Company Porto Ambiente (EMAP), and LIPOR awarded the club with the GREEN HEART Certification. The GREEN HEART certification is a recognition of environmental sustainability practices with a particular focus on sustainable waste management practices created by LIPOR in 2014.

Partners then toured Estadio do Dragão and FC Porto Museum – taking in efforts such as waste management, reusable cups offered at food and beverage stands and transparent roof panels allowing lots of natural light, among other initiatives like the new Inzone sensory space.

The FREE KICKS project is co-funded by the European Union* and coordinated by the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSA). Project partners FC Porto, Fundación Real Betis Balompie, Malmö FF, Racing Club, Romanian Football Federation, European Club Association (ECA) and Sport Positive will address the topics of circular economy and environmental sustainability in football organisations.

*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

FC Porto Promotes FREE KICKS Project in Stadium

FC Porto Promotes FREE KICKS Project in Stadium

FC Porto has brought awareness to the FREE KICKS project through dedicated signage at home Liga Portugal matches. Thousands of fans were reached through the action of visual FREE KICKS materials appearing on the LED perimeter boards at Estádio do Dragão. Not only did this ensure peak visibility to fans in the stadium and viewers worldwide, but FC Porto Sustainability Manager Teresa Santos also participated in an interview to reinforce the widespread impact of the project.

Features:

1. FC Porto vs. Sporting CP
   Liga Portugal, Estadio do Dragão – April 2024
   FC Porto’s Sustainability Manager, Teresa Santos, presented an interview to 45,230 spectators at the match half-time to spread awareness about the FREE KICKS project and FC Porto’s involvement
   Score: 2-2 Draw
   
   Teresa Santos (left) speaking on the FREE KICKS project ahead of the match

2. FC Porto vs. Casa Pia
   Liga Portugal, Estadio do Dragão – December 2024
   The FREE KICKS logos, short messages and website link were displayed on the perimeter LED signs throughout the match to 32,810 supporters.
   Score: 2-0 for FC Porto
3. FC Porto vs. Estrella
   Liga Portugal, Estadio do Dragão – December 2024
   The FREE KICKS logos, short messages and website link were displayed on the perimeter LED signs throughout the match to 32,116 supporters.
   Score: 2-0 for FC Porto
4. FC Porto vs. Boavista
   Liga Portugal, Estadio do Dragão – December 2024
   An impressive number of 47,509 supporters were in attendance to view the FREE KICKS logos, short messages and website link that were displayed on the perimeter LED signs.
   Score: 4-0 for FC Porto
5. FC Porto vs. Santa Clara
   Liga Portugal, Estadio do Dragão – January 2025
   27,793 supporters gathered at the home match to viewing the FREE KICKS logos, short messages and website link on the perimeter LED signs.
   Score: 1-1 Draw
6. FC Porto vs. Guimarães
   Liga Portugal, Estadio do Dragão – February 2025
   The FREE KICKS logos, short messages and website link were displayed on the perimeter LED signs throughout the match to 44,142 supporters.
   Score: 1-1 Draw

#EUFreeKicks

Project Partner Real Betis Balompié holds Forever Green match

FREE KICKS* project partner Real Betis Balompié continues to show the power of football in tackling environmental sustainability and responsibility. In the Forever Green match against Real Sociedad on 16 February 2025, Real Betis continued the Without Blue, There Is No Green campaign activities. Real Betis Balompié welcomed 48,758 supporters in their 3-0 victory.

Key initiatives of the night included:

• Goals for the Oceans – Sponsors Gree and Gravity Wave pledged to remove 1 ton of plastic from the ocean per Betis goal, resulting in 3,000 kg of plastic collected.
• Fan-led waste management – Volunteers from the Real Betis – CaixaBank program and OK Planet encouraged fans to pick up and recycle waste and containers at the designated points in the stadium.
• Reforestation initiative – A total of 300 trees will be planted thanks to over 230 participants.
• Sustainable hydration – Players used reusable bottles made from sugar cane.
• Sustainable entertainment – Electric Band played a set featuring instruments made from sustainable materials and environmentally friendly lyrics.
• Awareness video – The Forever Green Manifesto video was shown in the stadium, explaining its relation to number 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the UN’s 2030 Agenda, ‘Life Below Water’.
• Special-edition jersey – Real Betis sported the first kit made of marine algae.
• Symbolic match entrance – Pre-match participants highlighted marine pollution through the players and officials walking out to the pitch with a fishing net from the Andalusian coast and the mascots carrying stuffed turtles
• Additional details – Sustainability messages were featured on the steps to the teams’ changerooms, and the captain’s armband raised awareness of invasive Asian algae in Tarifa.
• Suppoter Mobility – Fans were encouraged to travel sustainably with a dedicated bike parking area outside the stadium.

Read more from the Forever Green website here.

* Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Real Betis Balompié designs the first shirt made from marine algae

FREE KICKS* Partner Real Betis Balompié designs the first shirt made from marine algae

As a proud partner of FREE KICKS*, Real Betis continues to set an example for innovating on circularity. In this new initiative, the project partner leverages apparel to drive influence and environmental sustainability awareness in football. This groundbreaking initiative is part of the club’s Forever Green platform, which aims to engage the world in the fight against climate change through the powerful voice of football. 

The objective of this algae-based kit is to raise visibility about the environmental catastrophe caused by the uncontrolled invasion of the Asian algae Rugulopteryx Okamurae on the Andalusian coasts of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, which is driven by climate change.

The first of its kind, the kit, was developed in collaboration with Hummel, Parley for the Oceans, and Pyratex and will debut on 16 February against Real Sociedad. The materials were derived from algae, ocean plastics, and wood pulp—echoing the circular economy goals championed by the FREE KICKS project.

Read the full press release here.

* Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

2Playbook: Real Betis and its Forever Green project take centre stage at Sport Positive Summit

The LaLiga club has been nominated for the awards at this congress, where it has unveiled the initiatives it develops through this platform.

Real Betis has shared the spotlight with entities such as FIFA, the NBA and the Olympic Committee at the Sport Positive Summit. The LaLiga club has participated in the world sports summit, which promotes the evolution towards a future with low carbon emissions and a constant fight against climate change.

This event, held in London, is supported by the International Olympic Committee and the UN Climate Change Committee. Rafael Muela, manager of the Real Betis Balompié Foundation, was in charge of representing the club and presenting all the initiatives that exist through Forever Green. Muela was part of the round table Finding Efficiencies with Sustainable and Responsible Procurement, in which new ways of seeking sustainability and caring for the environment in their actions were expressed.

In addition, the Foundation and Forever Green were also present at another event attended by all members of the European Free Kicks project, which addresses the issues of the circular economy and environmental sustainability in football organisations.

In addition to this, Forever Green was nominated in the Sports Positive Award 24′ in the Campaign Of The Year category , awards that recognise the efforts and initiatives of companies and organisations that address society’s challenges through sport. Finally, the award went to the Green Gooners Cup, a collaboration between Arsenal FC and Ball Corporation.

Read the original article, in Spanish here.

FootBoom: Forever Green and Real Betis at the Sport Positive Summit

Real Betis has made its mark at the Sport Positive Summit, the global sports summit that promotes the transition to a low-carbon future and a relentless fight against climate change. This event, held in London, is backed by the International Olympic Committee and the UN Climate Change initiative.

Rafael Muela, manager of the Real Betis Balompié Foundation, represented the green and white club at this significant gathering and presented all the initiatives established under Forever Green. Muela participated in the round table titled “Finding Efficiencies with Sustainable and Responsible Procurement,” where new ways of pursuing sustainability and environmental stewardship were discussed.

Additionally, the Foundation and Forever Green featured in a session alongside all participants of the European Free Kicks project, which addresses topics of circular economy and environmental sustainability within football organizations. Real Betis and Forever Green attended this prestigious international event alongside major entities like FIFA, the Olympic Committee, and even the NBA.

Furthermore, Forever Green was nominated for the ‘Sports Positive Award 2024’ in the “Campaign Of The Year” category, which recognizes the efforts and initiatives of companies and organizations tackling societal challenges through sport. Ultimately, the award went to the Green Gooners Cup, a collaboration between FC and Ball Corporation.

The green and white club continues to establish itself as one of the most sustainable teams on the planet thanks to the Forever Green platform. It has already received numerous international accolades, in addition to this latest nomination, for its significant commitment to environmental issues. With the Forever Green initiative, Real Betis Balompié is dedicated to daily efforts to build a much more sustainable future, with football as the primary driver of that change.

View the original article here.

Marca: Forever Green and Betis, present at Sport Positive Summit

World Sports Summit held in London

Real Betis has been present at the Sport Positive Summit, the world sports summit that promotes the evolution towards a future with low carbon emissions and a constant fight against climate change . This event, held in London , is supported by the International Olympic Committee and the UN Climate Change Committee .

Rafael Muela, manager of the Real Betis Balompié Foundation, represented the green-and-white club at this important event and presented all the initiatives that exist through Forever Green. Muela took part in the round table “Finding Efficiencies with Sustainable and Responsible Procurement”, in which new ways of seeking sustainability and caring for the environment in their actions were expressed. In addition, the Foundation and Forever Green were also present at another one in which all the members of the European Free Kicks project were present, which addresses issues of the circular economy and environmental sustainability in football organizations. Betis and Forever Green have been at this important international event accompanied by large entities such as FIFA, the Olympic Committee and even the NBA .

In addition to this, Forever Green was nominated in the ‘Sports Positive Award 24’ in the category “Campaign Of The Year”, awards that recognise the efforts and initiatives of companies and organisations that address the challenges of society through sport. Finally, the award went to the Green Gooners Cup, a collaboration between Arsenal FC and Ball Corporation.

The green and white club continues to show itself as one of the most sustainable on the planet thanks to the Forever Green platform. It already has many international recognitions, in addition to this latest nomination, for its great involvement in the environment. With this Forever Green initiative, Real Betis Balompié continues to strive daily to build a much more sustainable future with football as the main driver of this change.

Read the original article,  in Spanish here.

Partners Convene in London For 4th Steering Committee Meeting

10th October 2024, London: FREE KICKS partners convened for the 4th Steering Committee meeting at the conclusion of the Sport Positive Summit in London; with Project Co-ordinator Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Communications and Dissemination Partner Sport Positive and football partners Real Betis Balompié, FC Porto, Malmö FF and Romanian Football Federation joining in person, and Racing Club joining remotely from Argentina.

The session allowed for presentations by all sports partners of the actions they have implemented so far and the plans for future actions. This included a round of updates on partner status relating to EMAS certification and the green procurement actions. Partners discussed the planning of upcoming webinars and training modules and were updated on communication and dissemination activities.

The FREE KICKS project is co-funded by the European Union* and coordinated by the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSA). Project partners; FC Porto, Fundación Real Betis Balompie, Malmö FF, Racing Club, Romanian Football Federation, European Club Association (ECA) and Sport Positive, will address the topics of circular economy and environmental sustainability in football organisations.

*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.