Kruszwica, Poland – September 5, 2026
The 2026 European Rowing Under 23 Championships in Kruszwica, Poland, provided an important platform for both athlete development and sustainable event delivery. Bringing together Europe’s most promising young rowers, the event showcased the future of the sport while demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
Through the World Rowing Development Programme, support was provided to a delegation from Moldova, consisting of two athletes and one coach. The programme enabled the team to gain valuable international racing experience, compete against Europe’s leading U23 athletes, and further develop their high-performance pathway. Opportunities such as these are essential in helping emerging rowing nations build athlete experience, strengthen coaching capacity and increase international competitiveness.
Alongside the racing, the Organising Committee implemented a dedicated sustainability programme aimed at reducing the event’s environmental footprint while creating positive social impacts. Key measures included waste reduction initiatives, responsible resource management, sustainable mobility solutions, environmental awareness activities and stakeholder engagement throughout the Championships.
The sustainability plan also focused on protecting the local environment, encouraging responsible behaviour among participants and spectators, and integrating sustainability into event operations and communications. These actions reflect the growing commitment within rowing to deliver events that not only achieve sporting excellence but also contribute positively to communities and the environment.
By combining athlete development support with meaningful sustainability initiatives, the 2026 European Rowing Under 23 Championships demonstrated how international rowing events can help develop the next generation of athletes while advancing the sport’s sustainability ambitions.