8 August 2025, London, UK – World Rowing has been named among 100 global changemakers shortlisted for the Sport Positive Awards 2025, which recognise leaders driving a more sustainable, resilient, equitable, and climate-conscious future for sport.
World Rowing earned its place on the shortlist in the Biodiversity Project category for In Balance With Nature: Trakai 2025 World Rowing U19 Championships, highlighting its commitment to biodiversity action at this prestigious global event.
At the 2025 World Rowing U19 Championships in Trakai, Lithuania, World Rowing piloted an innovative biodiversity preservation and regeneration project on Lake Galvė, a UNESCO ecological and cultural site. Using the bloomUp Biodiversity Compass, the initiative measured the events impacts across 34 indicators within four pillars—Wildlife & Habitat, Ecosystem Vitality, Engagement & Awareness, and Natural Resource Stewardship—aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework and IUCN Sports for Nature.
The findings will guide protection, restoration, and regeneration efforts, creating a legacy model for future rowing events worldwide.
The Sport Positive Awards celebrate organisations and individuals across sport who are advancing sustainable business, climate action, biodiversity, and environmental justice. Finalists span clubs, teams, leagues, venues, federations, non-profits, and academics from around the world, competing across 12 categories including Purpose-Led Partnership, Campaign of the Year, and Inspired Innovation
“Congratulations to World Rowing for being shortlisted. It has never been more vital to celebrate those in sport leading on sustainability and climate action,” said Claire Poole, Founder of Sport Positive. “As the climate crisis disrupts the sports we cherish, bold steps like these protect the future of sport and the ecosystems that support it.”
Winners will be announced at the Sport Positive Awards ceremony on 7 October 2025 in London, alongside the Sport Positive Summit (7–8 October).
Read more about In Balance With Nature: Trakai 2025 World Rowing U19 Championships here.