Tag: 3BL

DULUTH, Minn., April 11, 2025 /3BL/ – Sofidel proudly marked the beginning of a new chapter in its Duluth mill with a groundbreaking ceremony for expansion. Sofidel’s CEO Luigi Lazzareschi, Governor Tim Walz, Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert, our design-build project partner Hansen-Rice, and vendors were in attendance to celebrate the company’s continued investment in the community.

The ceremony included remarks from Sofidel executives, who spoke about the significance of this expansion for the city and the company.

“Today marks another milestone in Sofidel’s history. With this expansion, Sofidel further strengthens its presence in the U.S., enabling us to better serve our communities and stakeholders,” said CEO Luigi Lazzareschi.

“Hansen-Rice is honored to partner with Sofidel on this significant expansion,” said Chris Miles, Business Manager at Hansen-Rice, Inc. “This project exemplifies our shared commitment with Sofidel to deliver quality, innovation, and sustainable growth. As we lead the work ahead, we’re excited to help deliver meaningful outcomes for Sofidel, their customers, and the Duluth community.”

Sofidel acquired the Duluth paper mill in January 2024. The company will expand the existing facility into an integrated, state-of-the-art production plant, creating additional 160 jobs. Sofidel will also build an automated warehouse for product storage and distribution. The completed project size will be about 600,000 square feet and be completed by the third quarter of 2026. This project strengthens Sofidel’s regional presence, supports economic growth, and reinforces our commitment to sustainability. The development reflects our long-term investment in Minnesota and Duluth, made possible by strong public and private partnerships. The event concluded with the ceremonial groundbreaking, symbolizing the start of construction for the new facilities.

Originally published on Workiva

On February 26, 2025, the European Commission launched a game-changing plan to boost EU competitiveness, simplify regulations, and fuel economic growth with its CSRD Omnibus. With over €100 billion mobilized for “Made in EU” clean manufacturing, the initiative reinforces Europe’s commitment to decarbonization.

Key legislative packages include the Clean Industrial Deal, driving energy affordability, industrial decarbonization, and sustainable procurement; Omnibus I, updating sustainability reporting and due diligence regulations; Omnibus II, expanding clean tech investment; and Omnibus III, set for Q2 2025, introducing a new “small mid-cap” business category.

In this blog, we focus on the Omnibus I package, in particular the proposed updates related to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Any such proposals have a long way to go before being finalized. They would require agreement from the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to become law, and will only become binding for companies when their relevant EU member states transpose them into their national legal frameworks.

How could the Omnibus package impact the CSRD?

Possible updates to company size thresholds and sector-specific standards
The more substantive proposal in Omnibus I (COM(2025)81) introduces a new threshold for large companies with more than 1,000 employees and either a turnover above EUR 50 million or a balance sheet above EUR 25 million. Mandatory sustainability reporting requirements would apply to entities above a new threshold.

Furthermore, the proposal would (i) remove the Commission’s mandate to adopt mandatory sector-specific sustainability reporting standards in the future, (ii) introduce a proportionate voluntary sustainability reporting standard for out-of-scope companies, and (iii) reduce trickle-down effects of the reporting burden but introducing a “value chain cap” for out-of-scope companies.

Streamline the ESRS standards while maintaining double materiality
Omnibus I also introduces a set of simplifications that would, among other things, aim to eliminate less critical data points, prioritize quantitative over narrative disclosures, and clarify materiality principles to ensure companies report only relevant information.

Additional time to prepare for some companies
The more immediate proposal in Omnibus I is about introducing a two-year delay for Wave 2 and Wave 3 companies. This proposal does not introduce any other material changes and would need to be adopted first to provide legal certainty for companies who are currently due to prepare CSRD-aligned annual reports for their 2025 financial years that will be published in early 2026.

What’s not changing in the CSRD Omnibus package?

It is equally important to be aware of what was not part of the Omnibus simplification package and therefore likely to remain part of any future mandate:

Integrated financial and sustainability disclosures 
Despite the proposed changes, the EU and other regulators expect the same level of rigor and oversight of sustainability information and continue to emphasize the integration of financial and sustainability disclosures.

The double materiality principle
The simplified ESRS standards would remain firmly rooted in the double materiality principle, with companies required to assess and disclose both financial materiality (how sustainability issues impact financial performance) and impact materiality (how business activities affect people and the environment).

Limited assurance over non-financial disclosures
The CSRD will maintain the requirement for limited assurance over non-financial reporting in companies’ annual reports, ensuring continued third-party scrutiny and verification by external auditors.

Digitally tagged and structured sustainability reporting with verification
The requirement for digitally tagged sustainability disclosures remains unchanged. Users of sustainability information increasingly expect such information to be accessible, comparable, and machine-readable in digital formats.

No-regret actions to take now

These developments present both opportunities and challenges with potential legal complexities. To navigate this evolving landscape, we believe the following four questions will help companies currently under the CSRD mandate (Wave 1) or those preparing for future compliance (Waves 2, 3, and 4):

Read more

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2025 /3BL/ – Each year, a significant share of eligible taxpayers do not claim tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), leaving billions of dollars on the table. In 2021, 22% of eligible households did not receive the EITC, resulting in approximately $8.2 billion in unclaimed refunds. That represents not only missed opportunities for families to strengthen their financial position, but also for communities to benefit from greater local spending and economic activity.

To help address this gap, Prosperity Now, in collaboration with the Wells Fargo Foundation, has awarded $200,000 to 15 community-based organizations through the 2025 VITA Support Fund [see full list below]. These organizations provide no-cost, IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) services in 12 U.S. markets, ensuring eligible taxpayers can confidently file their returns and claim the full range of refundable credits, including the EITC and the Child Tax Credit (CTC).

Tax preparation services can be costly, with the average price of a basic return nearing $400 for households earning between $20,000 and $60,000 annually. For families already balancing tight budgets, that price tag is out of reach. VITA programs remove that barrier, offering no-cost and accurate filing in trusted, community-based settings.

The selected organizations have a strong record of delivering high-quality services with cultural and community awareness at the center. They are expected to prepare over 20,000 tax returns this year, returning an estimated $25 million in refunds and credits to households who earned them. Many also provide year-round support through financial coaching, connections to safe banking options, and help navigating public benefit programs.

“No one should miss out on tax credits they’ve earned because they can’t afford help filing,” said Marisa Calderon, President & CEO of Prosperity Now. “When we support community-based tax preparation, we’re not only helping families strengthen their financial footing, but we’re also keeping dollars circulating in local economies where they can do the most good.”

“Wells Fargo is committed to helping people achieve economic mobility, and one of the first steps is making sure they receive all the money they have earned,” said Bonnie Wallace, head of financial health philanthropy at Wells Fargo. “Supporting VITA programs is an important way we can make a difference on people’s path to financial security.”

The VITA Support Fund reflects Prosperity Now and the Wells Fargo Foundation’s shared commitment to expanding financial opportunity through trusted community partnerships.

Meet the 2025 VITA Support Fund Grantees

Organization Name	Market
The Women’s Building	San Francisco, CA
The Link VITA	Atlanta, GA
Catalyst Miami, Inc.	Miami, FL
Fremont Family Resource Center	San Francisco, CA
Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation	Philadelphia, PA
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Phi Tau Omega Chapter	Atlanta, GA
WEBS Training Center	Washington, DC
International Rescue Committee-San Diego	San Diego, CA
The Iowa Center	Des Moines, IA
Metro-St. Louis Community Tax Coalition, Inc.	St. Louis, MO
United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona	Native Communities
Common Wealth Charlotte	Charlotte, NC
Alaska Business Development Center	Rural Alaskan Communities
Haitian Neighborhood Center	Miami, FL
Chinese Community Center	Houston, TX

About the VITA Support Fund

The VITA Support Fund aims to close the gap in tax filing support by investing in organizations that are deeply rooted in the communities they serve. This year’s grantees bring language access, cultural relevance, and personalized support to individuals and families who might otherwise face barriers to receiving their full tax refund. The cohort includes trusted partners with strong local ties and organizations expanding their reach through volunteer training, digital tools, and partnerships with schools, faith communities, and service providers.

About Prosperity Now

Since 1979, Prosperity Now has been a trusted leader in strengthening financial security, expanding access to capital, and ensuring economic stability for businesses, families, and communities. We work across sectors to develop practical, scalable solutions that create lasting change. Through innovation, strategic investment, and collaboration, we build the infrastructure needed to sustain small business growth, housing opportunities, and financial well-being in an evolving economic landscape. Learn more at www.prosperitynow.org.

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Cummins

Cummins Inc.’s (NYSE: CMI) Power Generation business announced the addition of new Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) solutions to their global product line. Fully integrated BESS containers for AC output, the development of this product represents a significant push towards helping customers reach their sustainability goals.

“The global shift for renewable energy sources is becoming more profound,” said Lucio Kroll, Senior Director New Energy Solutions of Cummins Power Generation. “We’re proud to expand our offerings to include BESS, staying in line with that shift and serving our customers with safe and reliable solutions that can help them meet their energy transition goals.”

Cummins Power Generation BESS solutions are available in two architectural designs: a 10ft container (200 to 400kWh) and a 20ft high cube container (600kWh to 2MWh). Product features include proven lithium ferrophosphate (LFP) batteries for high cycle life, optimal liquid cooling thermal management designed to maximize battery life and reliability, complemented by a comprehensive three-tier fire safety approach. Additionally, the products are completely self-contained with plug-and-play functionality, making transportation and installation efficient and seamless. This solution will respond to the power needs of industrial, commercial and mission critical markets operating in the 50Hz frequency range. The three main use cases are off-grid (remote communities, mining sites, and remote industrial uses), energy management (EV charging infrastructure, commercial properties, and universities) and life-saving facilities (data centers, healthcare facilities, wastewater treatment plants).

With more than 100 years of experience, the launch of BESS solutions continues Cummins’ rich history in power generation.

“When you choose Cummins, you’re receiving more than a product. Customers are backed by our world-class service and support network. You’ll always have a direct connection to qualified experts,” said Kroll.

To learn more about Cummins Power Generation BESS solutions please visit Battery Energy Storage Systems | Cummins Inc.

About Cummins Inc.
Cummins Inc., a global power solutions leader, comprises five business segments – Engine, Components, Distribution, Power Systems and Accelera by Cummins – supported by its global manufacturing and extensive service and support network, skilled workforce and vast technological expertise. Cummins is committed to its Destination Zero strategy, which is grounded in the company’s commitment to sustainability and helping its customers successfully navigate the energy transition with its broad portfolio of products.

The products range from advanced diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid powertrains and powertrain-related components including aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, valvetrain technologies, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, axles, drivelines, brakes, suspension systems, electric power generation systems, electrified power systems with innovative components and subsystems, including battery, fuel cell and electric power technologies and hydrogen production technologies.

Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 69,600 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment and equality of opportunity. Cummins serves its customers online, through a network of company-owned and independent distributor locations, and through thousands of dealer locations worldwide and earned about $3.9 billion on sales of $34.1 billion in 2024. See how Cummins is leading your world toward a future of smarter, cleaner power at www.cummins.com.

Media Contact
Alijah Landing
Marketing Communications Manager

Logitech Blog

Unboxing a new product is more than just opening a package – it’s an experience. Well-designed packaging tells a story, reflecting a brand’s values. Thoughtful packaging not only protects the product, but also demonstrates commitment to quality and can reduce environmental impact. When a company cares about the packaging design, it’s saying, “We know this matters to you.”

At Logitech, we’re saying goodbye to single-use plastic, one package at a time. This bold step means plastic clamshell packaging from our highly visible mice portfolio is being replaced with paper. By the end of 2025, our transition to paper will span tens of millions of mice across global retailers. This translates to an impressive 660 tons of plastic removed and 6,600 tons of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere. To put it in perspective, that’s the equivalent of eliminating over 37 million single-use plastic water bottles annually, and removing nearly 1,400 gasoline-powered passenger cars from the roads for one year¹.

The transition away from plastic clamshell packaging pushes Logitech closer to the ultimate goal of eliminating single-use plastic entirely. It’s a monumental goal, driven by over three years of relentless progress in packaging design, and has already eliminated over 1,800 tons of plastic packaging material.

But, it’s not just removing single-use plastic from packaging that matters. Package design goes beyond simply selecting renewable materials or using materials that are easier to recycle. It’s about completely reimagining packaging—enhancing the unboxing experience, simplifying material separation for recycling, and designing with waste reduction in mind. Logitech is thoughtfully creating solutions that meet the needs of both customers and the planet.

The company also continues to embrace FSC^TM-certified paper packaging. Over 70% of new product introductions now use paper from its FSC^TM-certified packaging program. It has swapped plastic hang tabs for recyclable paper pulp alternatives, and replaced plastic shrink-wrap with wood fiber bags across many products. These choices don’t just lower the product’s carbon footprint; they enhance the unboxing experience, delivering packaging that’s lighter, sleeker, and easier to open.

Plastic pollution is not just a statistic; it’s a shared challenge. A recent GlobeScan study revealed that 61% of consumers want to choose recyclable packaging. But, despite good intentions, inadequate waste management systems in many regions mean most single-use plastic fails to be reused effectively. Tackling the issue at its root, and moving to fully paper-based packaging, turns off the tap on plastic.

Great packaging tells a story and reflects shared values, showing a company’s commitment to sustainability. When that care is evident, it connects you to something bigger. Packaging isn’t just a wrapper – it’s a promise.

So, the next time you’re shopping, stop and think about the packaging. Say, “Paper please.” Consumers like you are the driving force behind eliminating plastic waste and inspiring companies to improve. Choose to let go of single-use plastic. It’s not just what’s inside the box, but the box itself that will add to your experience.

¹ Source: https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator#results

LINCOLN, Neb., April 11, 2025 /3BL/ – Over the past year, Andriaki and Arbor Day Carbon — a wholly owned subsidiary of the Arbor Day Foundation — partnered to support verified carbon credit and large-scale tree planting in the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley. The partnership planted a total of 1 million native trees throughout the alluvial plain area that occupies parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Project efforts were executed by Arbor Day Carbon’s local planting partner and carbon credit supplier GreenTrees — the largest verified reforestation carbon credit program in the world by credits issued to-date. Tree planting efforts took place on degraded land affected by deforestation mostly due to corn, cotton, and soybean conversion in recent decades. With over 20 years of hands-on experience in the area, GreenTrees has worked with over 600 landowners to restore over 140,000 acres of private forestlands.

“This partnership highlights the incredible need to restore critical ecosystems while demonstrating leadership in accounting for the footprint we have on this shared planet,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Andriaki has continued to lead by example of innovation in their commitment towards environmental action that creates meaningful impact for both forest ecosystems and the communities that live in and care for them.”

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has worked to plant over 500 million trees in forests and communities around the world. Through a global network of partnerships, the Foundation facilitates projects that empower organizations of all sizes to reach their sustainability goals via measurable, impactful work through trees and forests.

Since 2021, Andriaki has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to help advance their shared goals of sustainable, large scale tree planting. Together, their work strives to improve water quality, generate alternative income streams for landowners, and restore vulnerable wildlife habitat, aligning with Andriaki’s ESG strategy and commitment to sustainability.

Andriaki is also committed to environmental responsibility extending beyond this collaboration by promoting stewardship throughout the maritime industry. The company has worked to integrate new technologies and vessels that have enabled them to reduce their carbon footprint, contributing to Andriaki’s commitment to decreasing environmental impact throughout their operations.

Located within the American Southeast — one of the Arbor Day Foundation’s global priority regions — the Mississippi Alluvial Valley was once a thriving floodplain forest ecosystem that supported an abundance of biodiversity. Today, it is considered one of the most deforested and degraded areas in the Southeast due to centuries of agricultural expansion and land conversion. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, more than 75% of this riparian forest has been lost — a significant decrease in habitat for hundreds of game and non-game wildlife, including the 60% of migratory bird species that depend on the Mississippi River for their annual journeys.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners. And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

About Andriaki Shipping Co. Ltd.

Andriaki Shipping Co. Ltd. is an international ship management and operating company, based in Athens Greece. Established in 1953, Andriaki managed over 100 vessels of various types and sizes. Currently, the company operates a modern fleet of Tankers, all flying the Greek Flag and classed with major IACS societies.

Placing innovation and adaptability at the core of its mission, Andriaki is dedicated to maintaining an environmentally sustainable, operationally safe, and socially cooperative work culture.

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Originally published by Waste360.

By Arlene Karidis.

Divert and Safeway, Albertson’s leading banner, recently teamed to tailor food recovery strategies to operational needs at a few Northern California Safeway stores. The project entailed leveraging store-specific data generated by Divert to uncover new opportunities for waste reduction and outlining strategies for ongoing improvement.

Together with Divert’s field team, in collaboration with Alameda County Community Food Bank, Safeway increased donations for the first grouping of stores by 20 percent in three months.

The program is continuing to expand to additional stores and regions identified as having the greatest opportunity.

See original article on Waste360 and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

In this latest blog, Lindsay Wright, Director, Communications and Strategic Partnerships, Better Buying, explains why better buying practices are no longer optional but essential. With new tariffs threatening jobs and stability in countries like Vietnam and Cambodia, Wright highlights the need for responsible, long-term partnership between buyers and suppliers has never been more urgent. She draws lessons from the pandemic, outlining what brands, retailers, and suppliers can do right now to navigate this moment — from transparent communication to honoring commitments and co-creating solutions.

Read the full blog, titled: The Path Forward on Tariffs Starts with Better Buying

• Climate action: reduction of CO₂ emissions in production per ton of product by 64 percent (base year: 2017)
• Circular economy: use of recycled plastic in consumer goods packaging rises to 25 percent
• Equal opportunities: significantly more employees take parental leave in 2024; share of women in management climbs to 42 percent
• Fair working conditions: new additional assessment introduced to ensure living wages worldwide
• Governance: first sustainability report applying all content requirements of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) 

Düsseldorf, Germany, April 11, 2025 /3BL/ – Henkel has published its sustainability report for 2024. The company has advanced further, especially in the areas of climate protection and circular economy, but also in social issues. Already this year, Henkel voluntarily reports in line with the content-related requirements of the European Union’s new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and its European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).

“We have made great progress and delivered tangible improvements in sustainability over the past year – across all areas of our sustainability strategy,” said Carsten Knobel, CEO of Henkel. “Even in challenging times, we stand by our fundamental values: through our products, processes, and contribution to society, we are committed to a more sustainable world. This is also reflected in our net-zero roadmap aimed at reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2045.”

“I am proud of our progress on key sustainability initiatives,” said Sylvie Nicol, Executive Vice President Human Resources, Infrastructure and Sustainability. “In 2024, for example, we have increased the proportion of recycled plastic in our consumer goods packaging to 25 percent. And we introduced gender-neutral parental leave of at least eight weeks with full pay worldwide – which has received an excellent response. In addition, we have implemented the first sustainability report in line with the content requirements of the new ESRS, which has also further improved our internal processes.”

New targets for climate protection

By the end of last year, Henkel had reduced CO₂ emissions in its production per ton of product by 64 percent compared to the base year 2017 and increased the energy purchased from renewable sources to 47 percent.

Henkel also set Net-Zero targets last year, which cover a larger part of the value chain than its climate targets before. By 2045, Henkel aims to reduce its absolute scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 90 percent. As short-term climate targets, Henkel plans to reduce its absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 42 percent and its absolute scope 3 GHG emissions by 30 percent by 2030 (compared to 2021). The new targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a climate change organization that supports companies in setting GHG reduction targets that are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. By the end of 2024, Henkel had reduced its scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 20 percent (compared to 2021).

To further decarbonize the value chain and better capture CO₂ emissions in the supply chain (scope 3), Henkel accelerated its engagement program for its global suppliers last year. It collects emissions data and defines specific measures to reduce emissions.

Sustainable packaging solutions

Henkel has further increased the share of recycled plastic in its consumer goods packaging to 25 percent. By the end of this year, the company expects to reach 30 percent.

Two examples highlight this progress: In Europe, Henkel has increased the share of post-consumer recyclate in liquid detergent and hair care packaging to at least 50 percent. This includes brands such as Persil, Weißer Riese, Spee and Gliss. In North America, the company has introduced a new packaging for its liquid hand soap Dial, which is now made of 100 percent recycled plastic.

Henkel also aims to design all consumer packaging for recycling. End of 2024, this share had reached 89 percent.

With the adhesive innovations of its Adhesive Technologies business unit, Henkel is setting new standards for more sustainable packaging. For example, a new hot melt adhesive of the Technomelt brand, which is used for food packaging, among other things, consists of at least 49 percent bio-based raw materials. At the same time, significantly less energy is required for customers during the application phase of the product.

Equal opportunities and fair working conditions

A milestone in the area of diversity and equality is the gender-neutral parental leave program that the company has introduced for all of its 47,000 employees worldwide. It guarantees a minimum of eight weeks of fully paid parental leave and applies to all family constellations, including adopted or foster children, LGBTQ+ couples and single parents. The response to the offer was very positive; around 30 percent more employees worldwide took parental leave than in the previous year.

In addition, Henkel was able to increase the proportion of women in management to 42 percent. 

As part of its commitment to fair working conditions, the company has introduced an additional annual assessment to ensure that the remuneration of Henkel employees worldwide remains consistently aligned with local living wage benchmarks.

External recognition for sustainability performance

External, independent rating agencies have once again recognized Henkel’s sustainability progress. Among others, the ESG rating agency EcoVadis awarded Henkel the Gold Medal. This makes Henkel one of the top five percent of the companies evaluated. In addition, Henkel was recognized as a Top-Rated Company by Morningstar Sustainalytics for its sustainability performance. And the company received another award from Corporate Knights in its 2025 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World ranking. Henkel was also honoured with the Sustainable Future Award 2024 by the F.A.Z. Institute and Cision Germany for its many years of credible sustainability communication.

Sustainability Report 2024

International Olympic Committee news

Professor Elizabeth Pike PhD, a leading expert in sport and gender from the University of Hertfordshire (Great Britain), is the Global Winner of the 2024 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Champions Award. On the eve of International Women’s Day, the IOC is celebrating Pike, alongside five continental winners who are all breaking barriers in #SportForAllWomenAndGirls.

A Professor in Sport, Health and Exercise, Pike has dedicated her career to creating life-changing opportunities for women in sport and empowering female coaches.

While gender parity was reached for athletes competing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, only 13 per cent of coaches were women. As the project director of the Women in Sport High-Performance (WISH) programme, a mentorship and training programme for female coaches supported by Olympic Solidarity, Pike has helped tackle this under-representation.

Some 120 female coaches from 22 sports and 59 countries have graduated from the programme, equipped with the tools needed to take on roles at the highest level of their sport. Ten WISH graduates were in coaching roles at Paris 2024.

Elizabeth Pike’s dedication to creating opportunities for women in sport, especially through the WISH programme, greatly contributes to strengthening gender equality in sport. Her work has made a significant impact on the lives of many female coaches, and we celebrate her remarkable achievements today.

Thomas Bach
IOC President

Pike emphasised that her work, part of a larger team effort, is aimed at helping others reach their full potential. “I feel very honoured the IOC has recognised the part that I have played in helping to unlock the full potential of really talented individuals,” Pike said.

“What we do is try to work with the women to identify what tools, resources and support they need to succeed at the high-performance level – as a coach, but also as a leader,” Pike added.

Pike is also the co-founder of the Anita White Foundation and Fund, which supports female leaders in sport around the world; a co-developer of the Women’s Sport Leadership Academy with the Females Achieving Brilliance network; and the research lead for the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport.

The 2024 continental winners alongside Pike are:

• Africa: Syra Sylla, Senegal
• Americas: Patricia María Malik de Tchara, Argentina
• Asia: Dunya Abutaleb OLY, Saudi Arabia
• Europe: Lubomira Kozanova, Slovakia
• Oceania: Annett Edmondson, Australia

Discover the profiles of all the 2024 GEDI Champions winners

Empowering women to coach at elite levels

Pike, who was interested in sport from a young age, was struck by the systemic gender inequality in sports research during her university studies. She embarked on an academic career focusing on the power of sport for social inclusion. Her background has given her excellent insight into the barriers facing women in coaching.

“The WISH programme is very much about not fixing the woman, but fixing the system. So we talk to them about how we can dismantle these obstacles to create this more inclusive and equitable system,” Pike said.

WISH was launched in 2022, following a successful pilot in 2019, to support the Olympic Movement’s drive to achieve gender equality at all levels in sport.

The coaches from WISH are not only making changes for themselves and their athletes, but they also inspire other women and girls in sport. They do this by starting to work with the cultures and the systems in their countries and their sports to demonstrate the value and the positive impact of gender equality.

Professor Elizabeth Pike PhD
Global Winner of the 2024 IOC Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions Award

While the WISH programme focuses on elite coaching, female representation at the grassroots level is also crucial.

“For there to be real change for women coaching at all levels, there are multiple stages, and having women coaching at the grassroots level is absolutely key to all of this,” Pike said. “The first thing we need to do is to raise awareness of the issue – to advocate for and showcase successful women coaches locally and globally. Then, we need to challenge those stereotypes and highlight the importance of gender diversity and sports leadership at all levels, including at grassroots. Then we need to instigate the deliberate practice to address the issue, through sustained investments, National and International Federations having gender-equality action plans, and the importance of male allies.”

The power of grassroots sport

Pike has witnessed the power of grassroots sport in her own work with the Anita White Fund. The Fund supports women leaders globally, promoting social inclusion through projects which focus on grassroots sport for women and girls, many of whom are living with disabilities. The projects foster networking and coalition building, often combining sports development with economic advancement opportunities for women.

Such grassroots projects are vital in giving women and girls the opportunities linked to participating in sport.

“We know that girls who play sports develop confidence, can learn to work in teams, tend to stay in school longer and often get better jobs,” Pike said. “We also know engagement in sports has significant physical, mental and social benefits for older women, particularly in those activities that emphasise social interaction, and that in itself can challenge gender and age stereotypes to advance gender equality across all ages.”

Celebrating inspiring changemakers

Known as the IOC Women and Sport Awards from 2000 to 2021, the IOC GEDI Champions Awards celebrate the outstanding work of inspiring changemakers who are committed to promoting the advancement of gender equality, diversity and inclusion in and through sport.

Six GEDI Award winners are announced each year – one at world level and one each for Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

For more information on the IOC GEDI Champions Awards, click here.

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The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit, civil, non-governmental, international organisation made up of volunteers which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of USD 4.2 million goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.

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