The Games are committed to sustainable development

The Organising Committee is investing 5% of the revenue from its private partners (around 800,000 Euros) to finance or subsidise around forty projects as part of the 2014 Games’ sustainable development plan. Ten projects are financed and driven by the Organising Committee itself and around thirty other actions, which are among the 300 “Elan des Jeux” projects that make up the Territorial Project, are driven by the City of Caen or the region, and are subsidised by up to 10,000 Euros from the Organising Committee.

All of these projects are based around 4 main themes: ecology, entertainment, education and social issues. 

Entertainment : Part of the SD&I fund is dedicated to the organisation of numerous entertainment activities, in particular the “Around the world in 80 horses” project.  This voyage through time began in 2013 with the publication of 80 stories in Ouest-France newspaper, one per week, that encourage readers to discover or rediscover something about the incredible bond that has always linked Man and Horse. Since November, this voyage took on another dimension, with a panel erected every month near the competition sites or near emblematic heritage sites: proof of the legacy that the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy hope to leave in the area. The “Around the world in 80 horses” project will also feature in various ways during the fifteen days of competition: in the opening ceremony, at the heart of the sporting events, in the Games Village… This innovative idea makes this edition unique in the history of the Word Equestrian Games!

Ecology : Another important aspect of the Sustainable Development and Innovation Fund is Ecology. Its flagship project is a Working Horse Village in the heart of Caen Exhibition Centre during the event. Within this area, around twenty horses of different breeds will entertain visitors and carry out numerous operational missions on site: collecting rubbish, watering plants, maintaining the entertainment arena, helping with logistics, etc. Driven by the GIP (Public Interest Group) in collaboration with the National Horse Commission, this village will provide a wonderful insight into the life of a working horse.

Other “eco” projects will also be set up, including guided tours of the Games Village (along the theme of sustainable development), composting toilets in Sartilly, reusable “Eco Cups” in the Games Village, a recycling system, and much more.

Social issues : Of all the social actions financed or co-financed by the Organising Committee, the project that really sets the ball rolling will offer horse-riding lessons and festive entertainment in social establishments (health establishments, community care homes, political headquarters, etc.) in the city of Caen and all over Normandy. In total, more than 41 social projects will be organised in 2014.

Education : Numerous horse-themed educational actions will also be unveiled this year. Among these projects, the Organising Committee is set to finance horse-riding lessons for disabled riders in collaboration with the “Equilib” association at Caen Equestrian Centre. Other educational projects will also be set up: horse-riding lessons for the 720 Year 5 pupils (aged 9) in the city of Caen, exclusive documentation for children in the region’s schools, etc.

In addition to the 800,000 Euros destined for the SD&I Fund, 10,000 tickets for the Games will be made available for those involved in the Territorial Project: young people, members of social establishments, people who answered the call for initiatives, etc.

Finally, the Organising Committee’s departments will adopt a cross-functional approach to promote the territory, with the creation of an online platform that groups together all of the region’s accommodation options on the ticketing website http://ticket.normandie2014.com, and also by using local seasonal produce for the event’s catering.