IFSC STRATEGIC PLAN
2020 - 2028

IFSC Strategic Plan
Revised after the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games due to COVID-19 outbreak
The Olympic Dream was the goal at the centre of the foundation of the IFSC, driven by the
belief that the values of climbing are aligned with the values of Olympism. Climbers naturally
identify with universal fundamental principles of respect and support towards others as wellas towards the environment, in an endeavour to blend sport, education, and social
responsibility creating an all-encompassing way of life. In our competitions we create ourlandscapes, we design our lines, we mould our holds and we unleash a new freedom to
explore the power of verticality and invent a way of climbing bounded only by our
imagination.
The impact of the inclusion of Sport Climbing in the programme of the XXXII Olympiad ofTokyo, officially announced by the IOC on 3rd August 2016, has been greatly noticed in thepast few years.
Both the sport and the community have evolved at a rapid pace, and the IFSC has been
focused on keeping our athletes at the centre of the debate, in an effort to maintain the
sport’s fundamental features of integrity, openness, and inclusivity, and at the same time
inspire a new generation of sportspeople. The COVID-19 pandemic that broke out in early2020 caused the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to 2021. Nevertheless,following the Tokyo Games, the Sport Climbing community as a whole will enter a new era,in which the IFSC – as the international governing body – will be the leader in maintaining
and promoting the values of Sport Climbing, in keeping the community united, and in growing
the sport globally.

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Strategic Planning Timeline
The Strategic Planning phase took most of 2019, through milestones such as the 2019 Plenary
Assembly, the Arco NFs Workshop, and first ever Climbing Summit in Torino.
In these occasions the IFSC Executive Board presented the vision, mission and key objectives,
gathering feedback and input from its main stakeholders: member federations.
In November 2020, during the XVI Plenary Assembly, the Executive Board will present thestrategic plan to IFSC Members.

Page 2IFSC Strategic PlanIFSC Vision
To make the world a better place through Sport Climbing.

IFSC Mission
To grow the Sport Climbing community and to foster the furtherance of Sport Climbing
worldwide;
To effectively and efficiently govern, develop, showcase and promote Sport Climbing throughsustainable events for athletes, member federations, and key stakeholders.
IFSC Key Objectives
1. Showcase Sport Climbing through events
2. Develop Sport Climbing
3. Strengthen Membership and Governance
4. Increase IFSC brand awareness5. Promote Sport Climbing globally

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Key objectives
In August 2021, Sport Climbing will make its Olympic debut in the programme of the XXXII
Olympiad. For the first time in history, Sport Climbing will be visible to and viewed by billions
of people.
The IFSC will deliver the Sport Climbing event with 20 female athletes and 20 male athletescompeting in the Combined format (one set of medals per gender).
Being successful at the Tokyo Games means receiving positive feedback from the audience,
and also being awarded a positive evaluation from the IOC based on the performance of Sport
Climbing in terms of viewership, social media presence, sport presentation, and event
management, to name a few.
In the meanwhile, the Organising Committee of Paris 2024 is already looking ahead, andpresented a new programme for Sport Climbing to the IOC. This was provisionally approved,
and will receive final confirmation in December 2020. The programme proposed for Parisconsists in the increase from one to two sets of medals per gender (one for Speed and one
for Boulder & Lead), meaning an increase in the number of qualified athletes, from 40 to 72.
For the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the goal is to reach three sets of medals per gender,
one per discipline, with the consequent increase of qualified athletes, and aim to be part of
the Paralympic Games with a certain number of medals and categories.

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1. Showcase Sport Climbing through Events
Sport Climbing events and competitions represent our core activity. Moving forward, the IFSC
has made it its goal to raise the standards of delivery of World Cups, World Championships,
and all IFSC future events, in terms of competition level, facilities and event operations, tothe benefit of all stakeholders.

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1.1 Attractiveness
Provide an event programme that showcases the best aspects of the sport.
1.1.1. Develop a calendar of events to maximise audience access and participation;
1.1.2. Ensure IFSC events bring value to all stakeholders, including athletes, NFs, Officials,
Event Organisers, spectators, online audience, media, and TV;
1.1.3. Safeguard high standard facilities by strengthening the Official Sport Equipment.
1.2 Accountability
Deliver events of world-class international standards, from facilities to operations.
1.2.1. Respect a transparent and objective event application process and selection open to
all NFs and event organisers;
1.2.2. Monitor and review the event model to ensure sustainable delivery of world-classevents and services for NFs and event organisers;
1.2.3. Ensure facilities are of the appropriate standards and provide optimal conditions for
climbers’ performance;
1.2.4. Shape the qualification systems for Olympic Games and other multi-sport events tocomplement IFSC sport objectives.

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1.3 Legacy
Provide an event programme that showcases the best aspects of the sport.
1.3.1. Make the Event Organiser Handbook an indispensable reference for the delivery andoperations of IFSC Events;
1.3.2. Enable knowledge transfer by providing resources to NFs and organisers to learn fromprevious events and develop their capacity to host events;
1.3.3. Provide consulting services to advise NFs and event organisers on the development of
new and existing venues;
1.3.4. Develop and refine event models that are financially, operationally and ecologicallysustainable for event organisers at all levels.
1.4 Diversity
Showcase and support all Sport Climbing disciplines through a variety of events acrosscontinents, cultures, and formats.
1.4.1. Develop an 8-year geographically balanced calendar based on the Olympic cycle,
keeping the Climbing & Paraclimbing WCH as the IFSC flagship event;1.4.2. Activate a consistent and sustainable calendar of Paraclimbing events;
1.4.3. Stage events for all Sport Climbing disciplines and expand the portfolio of events with
innovative competition formats, including the review of the Tokyo 2020 combinedformat;1.4.4. Develop a layered event structure of events based on athletes’ performance to allow
maximum athletes participation across all continents;
1.4.5. To ensure pathways for athletes striving to climb from national, to continental, tointernational level, to build a qualification pyramidal system for World Cups in collaboration
with the Continental Councils.
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2. Develop Sport Climbing
The IFSC intends to support member federations with a variety of development
programmes for athletes, coaches, routesetters, judges, and sport managers.
2.1 Universality
Achieve gender and geographical balance in the practices of Sport Climbing worldwide.
2.1.1. Identify a variety of development approaches to help NFs develop Sport Climbing;
2.1.2. Continue the implementation of the Paraclimbing Development Programme throughNFs and NPCs;
2.1.3. Reach balanced representation of men and women across the organisation, fromofficials, coaches, commissions, etc. by LA 2028.
2.2 Paraclimbing
Professionalise Paraclimbing to meet IPC standards and aim at its inclusion in future
Paralympic Games editions, starting from Los Angeles 2028.
2.2.1. Improve the classification process to meet the international standard set by the IPC,
by adopting Classification rules and by putting in in place training, evaluation andclassification systems for IFSC Classifiers;2.2.2. Rethink the Categories in terms of numbers and merging scheme;
2.2.3. Create a Paraclimbing Routesetters pool of experts and support the group withtraining opportunities and Para Routesetting Guidelines;
2.2.4. Encourage NFs in organising events at National and International level to increase thenumber of athletes and grow the Paraclimbing community.

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2.3 Quality & Education
Deliver high standard programmes to educate coaches, judges, and routesetters at alllevels.
2.3.1. Create specific projects to foster the development of NFs through training facilities,
climbing starter-kits, etc.;
2.3.2. Develop training camps for climbers, paraclimbers, routesetters, para-routesetters,
and coaches in cooperation with the Continental Councils and NFs;
2.3.3. Create materials and training opportunities specific for coaches and officials, fromnational, to continental, to international level;
2.3.4. Implement a data-driven, objective, fair, and measurable system of officials’
evaluation and nomination via independent body;
2.3.5. Create the IFSC Academy in the most sustainable way.

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3. Strengthen Membership and GovernanceStarting from 2020-2021, the IFSC will start putting in place development programmes
aimed to increase the overall number of member federations and to help the growth ofexisting ones.
3.1 Integrity & Transparency
Promote a culture of transparency and strong ethical principles to preserve the core valuesof Sport Climbing.
3.1.1. Promote the Charter of Climbing Ethics across the organisation;
3.1.2. Create a culture of integrity based on values, knowledge and respect;
3.1.3. Appropriately address potential risks to Sport Climbing and the Community,
implementing athletes safeguarding policies and measures against competition
manipulation;
3.1.4. Publish and make available information relevant to: Statutes, Rules, Event
Regulations, Officials, Commissions, NFs.
3.2 Democracy
Ensure stakeholders are fairly represented and involved in decision-making.
3.2.1. Apply statutory election processes and ensure all candidates are treated equally;
3.2.2. Ensure stakeholders have the opportunity to be represented in IFSC Bodies andCommissions;3.2.3. Ensure regular occasions to meet, in person or virtually, to share IFSC core initiatives
and objectives;
3.2.4. Guarantee the premises for open and democratic dialogue with IFSC stakeholders.
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3.3 Participation
Increase number of countries actively engaged in the growth of Sport Climbing.
3.3.1. Reach 115 NFs by Paris 2024, and 130 NFs by Los Angeles 2028;
3.3.2. Work closely with Continental Councils to identify new members and direct support tohelp them establish Sport Climbing in their country;
3.3.3. Provide administrative and technical support to Continental Councils, and existing NFs
to further grow Sport Climbing in their country;
3.3.4. Encourage NFs to stage Sport Climbing events at all levels.
3.4 Efficiency
Govern and operate in the respect of a sustainable, efficient, and dynamic model.
3.4.1. Define clear roles and responsibilities in a system of measurable goals;
3.4.2. Perform an integral review of the IFSC Statutes and Bye-laws by 2022 to keep up todate with the evolution of the organisation and of the sport;
3.4.3. Ensure resources are safeguarded and managed effectively;
3.4.4. Ensure use of accounting control mechanisms and external financial audit;

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4. Increase IFSC Brand Awareness
While in very few years Sport Climbing has reached unprecedented numbers in participation,
the IFSC has been working on the side-lines effectively bringing Sport Climbing to great
achievements. The IFSC has made it one of its goals, starting with the Tokyo Games, toincrease even further the popularity of the sport by broadening the audience throughcommunications channels.
4.1 Identity
Ensure the recognition of the IFSC as the governing body of Sport Climbing worldwide.
4.1.1. Strengthen the image and values of Sport Climbing and get global recognition as anenvironmentally sustainable sport for all;
4.1.2. Ensure Sport Climbing is placed prominently in the sporting world throughrepresentation within the Olympic and Paralympic Families, and other international andcontinental sport organisations;4.1.3. Use communications channels to promote IFSC and Sport Climbing unique features;
4.1.4. Build and maintain relationships that complement Sport Climbing and IFSC brand.
4.2 Community
Be at the centre of the Sport Climbing community.
4.2.1. Represent the main source of information for Sport Climbing across all platforms;
4.2.2. Build IFSC digital presence and audience in accordance with IFSC digital and social
media strategy;
4.2.3. Continue to promote Sport Climbing in all its forms to attract new audiences;
4.2.4. Keep climbers at the centre of the community as key advocates of Sport Climbing.
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4.3 Engagement
Actively engage all stakeholders to grow and promote Sport Climbing through all channels.
4.3.1. Increase fan and community engagement;
4.3.2. Engage climbing gym owners and users to expand Sport Climbing community andparticipation;
4.3.3. Create opportunities for partnership activation through special promo events, andother projects;
4.3.4. Communicate with and get feedback from all Sport Climbing communities and fanson all platforms, relevant to local and global audiences.

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5. Promote Sport Climbing Globally
As any organisation, the IFSC needs to build a solid marketing strategy and plan to sustain its
activities and reinvest those resources in sport development, events, and the general growthof the sport, thus fulfilling its goals. Although aiming at becoming part of the Olympic
Programme, the IFSC also aims at maintaining its financial autonomy in order to be in chargeof projects and activities independently, and preserve the values of our sport.
5.1 Broadcast & Television
Increase coverage of Sport Climbing events across TV and all up and coming digitalplatforms.
5.1.1. Further strengthen linear television coverage of IFSC events and ensure
consisten-cy over the production and direction of the sport aspects;
5.1.2. Increase digital media coverage of IFSC events globally by introducing attractive
technologies;
5.1.3. Own the production and distribution of broadcast content to satisfy the demandof all stakeholders on all platforms;
5.2 Marketing
Attract and retain partners that complement the values of Sport Climbing.
5.2.1. Create marketing plans across different channels;
5.2.2. Adopt different approaches to diversify sponsorships and activate different types ofpartnerships;
5.2.3. Support and reinforce official partnerships in a continuous effort to strengthen andshowcase the best features of Sport Climbing.

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5.3 Communications
Be the main source of information for Sport Climbing, globally and on multiple platforms.
5.3.1. Build and reinforce a corporate communications structure that easily connects the
IFSC and its stakeholders, such as athletes, climbers, National Federations, Officials,
partners;
5.3.2. Lay out a general communications plan that sets a number of long-term goals to beachieved on a yearly basis within 2028;
5.3.3. Break the general plan into specific, tailored, short-term goals, to be implemented on
the different IFSC communications channels, both online and offline;
5.3.4. Develop the IFSC official website – its main information hub – according to theconstant evolution of digital communications;5.3.5. Keep the social media strategy up do date with the latest trends, eventuallyconsidering the opening of new channels and platforms;

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