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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.

About the project

PETkayak ECOventure is an Erasmus+ Sport project running from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2027, with a total duration of 24 months. The project brings together environmental sustainability, water safety, and inclusive grassroots sport activities across partner countries. The project focuses on upcycling discarded PET plastic bottles into functional kayaks, engaging local communities in hands-on activities that promote environmental awareness and responsible behavior towards rivers and natural ecosystems. Instead of relying on industrial recycling processes, PETkayak ECOventure applies a practical, low-cost, and accessible upcycling approach, enabling participants to directly experience how plastic waste can be transformed into usable sports equipment. Through educational modules, workshops, and public kayaking activities, the project raises awareness about plastic pollution, promotes water safety skills, and introduces kayaking as an inclusive and community-based sport. Activities are designed to be accessible to people with different backgrounds, abilities, and levels of experience, fostering social inclusion and participation in grassroots sport. PETkayak ECOventure also strengthens cross-border cooperation between partner organisations by sharing knowledge, methodologies, and best practices in environmental education, sport, and community engagement. By combining environmental action with physical activity, the project contributes to long-term behavioral change, stronger local communities, and more sustainable use of natural water resources.

Why pet waste?

Plastic pollution, especially PET waste, is a growing problem in rivers and waterways across Europe. Large quantities of PET bottles end up in natural environments, causing long-term damage to ecosystems and biodiversity. PETkayak ECOventure tackles this issue by promoting upcycling as a practical and visible solution, showing how plastic waste can be reused instead of discarded.

Why kayaking and water sports?

Kayaking and water sports provide a unique opportunity to connect people directly with rivers and natural environments. They encourage physical activity, teamwork, and respect for nature, while being adaptable and accessible to participants with different backgrounds and abilities. By combining kayaking with environmental action, the project creates meaningful and engaging learning experiences.

Key challenges addressed by the project

The project responds to several interconnected challenges:
Plastic pollution in rivers and natural ecosystems
Limited access to inclusive and grassroots sport activities, especially for people with fewer opportunities
Low awareness of water safety and responsible behavior on waterways

Alignment with Erasmus + priorities

PETkayak ECOventure directly contributes to Erasmus+ Sport priorities by:
Supporting environmental sustainability through upcycling and environmental education
Promoting social inclusion by engaging diverse target groups in accessible sport activities
Strengthening grassroots sport through community-based kayaking initiatives
Encouraging community engagement via hands-on workshops, public events, and cross-border cooperations

Project Consortium

PETkayak ECOventure is implemented through strong cross-border cooperation between experienced organizations from Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia. Each partner brings specific expertise in kayaking, environmental action, community engagement, and education, ensuring high-quality project delivery and long-term impact.

Project Coordinator

Kayak Canoe Club Mladost (Croatia)
 Kayak Canoe Club Mladost is the project coordinator and lead organization of PETkayak ECOventure. With long-standing experience in grassroots water sports, community projects, and international cooperation, the club is responsible for overall project management, coordination between partners, financial administration, and communication with the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).
KKK Mladost also leads the development of upcycling kayak activities, public events, and dissemination actions, ensuring that the project objectives are implemented effectively and in line with Erasmus+ Sport priorities.

Project Partners

Plastic Cup Society (Hungary)

Plastic Cup Society is a well-known Hungarian environmental initiative focused on river clean-ups, plastic waste awareness, and innovative upcycling solutions. With years of experience in building kayaks from interconnected PET bottles and organizing large-scale community events, PET Cup plays a key role in the technical implementation of upcycled kayak construction, community engagement, and environmental education.

Caritas of the Archdiocese of Zagreb (Croatia)

Caritas of the Archdiocese of Zagreb brings extensive experience in social inclusion, community work, and engagement of people with fewer opportunities. Within the project, Caritas supports inclusive participation, outreach activities, and educational workshops, ensuring that vulnerable and underrepresented groups can actively take part in environmental and sport-based activities.

Kajakaško društvo Brkati som (Slovenia)

KDBS contributes strong technical expertise in kayaking, water sports education, and safety on waterways. The organization supports the development of kayaking activities, training content, and water safety guidelines, as well as cross-border exchange of good practices between partner countries.