ISPO Strengthens Sustainability Push with EOCA Membership and €1m Impact Fund
Raccoon Media Group, organisers of ISPO, the world’s most influential trade event for the sporting goods, outdoor and winter sports industries, has strengthened its long-term sustainability agenda by becoming a Sustaining Member of the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) and unveiling further details of the newly established ISPO Impact Fund.
Recognising that sustainability is no longer optional, these initiatives underline ISPO’s renewed commitment to environmental responsibility, industry stewardship and collective action across the global outdoor ecosystem, as the event prepares for its next chapter under new management in Amsterdam.
Commenting on the announcement, Tracy Bebbington, Managing Director, ISPO at Raccoon Media Group, said:
“As ISPO enters a new era under new management and prepares for its next chapter in Amsterdam, it is essential that sustainability sits at the heart of everything we do. Joining EOCA and launching the ISPO Impact Fund reflect our belief in collective action and our responsibility to drive direct and meaningful change. We’re not just advocating for change; we are committed to making it happen. Not only that, we have appointed an external agency to closely analyse the carbon footprint of the event itself and we will make a solid commitment to being transparent about the footprint and, from day one, actively take steps to reduce it.”
Safeguarding the Natural Environments Where We Play
As part of its formal commitment, ISPO has joined EOCA both as a member and a Sustaining Member, providing ongoing funding and strategic support to EOCA’s mission to conserve and restore wild places, protect biodiversity and promote responsible outdoor participation. The partnership aligns ISPO with the environmental values shared by leading brands, retailers and industry associations across the outdoor sector.
Dan Yates, Executive Director of EOCA, said:
“We are delighted to welcome ISPO, and the newly expanded team at Raccoon Media Group, as a member, and importantly, a Sustaining Member of EOCA. Their commitment sends a powerful message: that major industry platforms must not only showcase innovation but actively support the landscapes and ecosystems that inspire it. ISPO’s involvement will allow us to reach more organisations, fund more conservation projects, and amplify the urgency of protecting the wild places the outdoor community depends on.”
The €1 Million ISPO Impact Fund
In parallel, ISPO has committed €1 million to establish the ISPO Impact Fund, a new charitable organisation designed to support grassroots, charitable and non-profit initiatives with a direct and meaningful connection to the sports, outdoor and winter sports communities.
Established as an independent entity to ensure transparency and strong governance, the ISPO Impact Fund is overseen by three founding trustees: Hannah Lewis, Finance Director at Raccoon Media Group; Andrew Denton, CEO at the Outdoor Industries Association; and Mark Held, founding Secretary General of the European Outdoor Group. Together, they are responsible for shaping the fund in line with the highest standards of fairness, accountability and responsibility.
The Impact Fund will focus on three core pillars:
- Nature Conservation & Environmental Stewardship – Supporting initiatives that protect biodiversity, restore natural environments and reduce the environmental impact of sport and outdoor recreation.
- Equitable Access & Participation – Enabling broader participation in sport, winter sports and outdoor recreation, regardless of gender, ethnicity, ability, income or background.
- Fair, Ethical & Responsible Supply Chains – Backing initiatives that improve worker welfare and strengthen ethical practices across the sports and outdoor supply chain.
An independent advisory panel comprising industry experts and community representatives is currently being assembled to oversee the allocation of the €1 million fund. The panel will review applications, assess impact and award grants using clear and transparent criteria.
Applications are invited from professionals across the sports, outdoor and winter sports industries. Interested candidates can apply by contacting hello@isposportsbusinessevents.com.
Speaking on the role of the advisory panel, Andrew Denton said:
“Our advisory panel will help ensure that the funding is fairly and appropriately allocated across projects which get more people active, protect the places in which we play and ensure products are ethically created. From local community initiatives to huge global projects, we expect hundreds of applications. It’s important that these are assessed for their impact so that funds can be carefully allocated, and more importantly actually invested correctly to impact change on an individual level.”
The application process for the ISPO Impact Fund will open online in Spring 2026, with grant recipients to be announced in November 2026 at ISPO, held at RAI Amsterdam.