“Inspired by this mantra,” said the FIGC President, “I promoted the adoption of the 2030 Social and Environmental Sustainability Strategy, defining concrete and measurable projects year after year.”

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina was among the recipients honoured on the opening day of Ecomondo 2025 – the leading annual event promoting a green and circular economy, bringing together industry representatives, stakeholders, policy-makers, leading academics, researchers and institutions. Gravina received one of the three awards presented as part of the 3rd Edition of Cisambiente Confindustria’s ‘Sport for Life – Life for the Environment’ Prize, delivered by Silvano Martinotti, President of the Association’s ‘Sport and Environment’ division.

Also recognised were Mons. Nicolò Anselmi (Bishop of Rimini) and Cesare Bagnari (CEO of Ciclat Trasporti Ambiente and Vice President of Cisambiente Confindustria). Vanni Gava (Deputy Minister for the Environment and Energy Security) will receive his award on 6 November 2025.

“I’m proud of this recognition,” said Gravina, “because it highlights the ‘sustainable’ approach – in its broadest sense – that I apply to civil life. As an entrepreneur and as a sports executive, I have always respected and sought to promote the social context in which I operate: the surrounding environment and, ultimately, the wider community. This is the foundation on which the successful Castel di Sangro project was built, a model that then extended across the entire Alto Sangro area, transforming it into a true hub for national sports tourism. And inspired by this same approach, I promoted the adoption of the FIGC’s 2030 Social and Environmental Sustainability Strategy, defining concrete and measurable initiatives year after year to make Italian football increasingly inclusive and respectful of the communities in which it operates.”

This was the full citation for Gabriele Gravina:

“Throughout his life he has shown depth of thought and great generosity of spirit. He has carried out valuable social work for his local area, guiding Castel di Sangro from an amateur team to Serie B and strengthening the sustainability of the entire community. He has led the FIGC – even in its most challenging moments – through actions marked by strong individual and collective responsibility. He has defended the dignity of sport, placing it above all else, because sport unites rather than divides. We applaud your great heart, Gabriele Gravina.”