Apply for an IOC Sport and Active Society Development Grant!

Applications are open for the IOC Sport and Active Society Development Grants. 

In alignment with the IOC's continued support to sport and Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC Sport and Active Society Commission offers the following development grants. 

Non-governmental organisations, International and National Sports Federations using sport for social development are eligible to apply to one of four CHF20,000 grants. Applying organisations and projects need to highlight how they align with one of this year's four themes. The deadline for applications is 1 December 2019. 

The development grants' themes are as follows: 

1.    Social Inclusion of Forcibly Displaced People through Sport and Physical Activity

The world today is facing an unprecedented emergency. According to the UNHCR, in 2018 70.8 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, with the number of refugees reaching an all-time high of 25.9 million. This translates into an average of 25 people forced to flee their home every minute. The consequences are concerning, and it is more important than ever to find solutions to support forcibly displaced groups.
Sport cannot solve this problem alone; however, it has proven itself as a valuable and powerful tool to build bridges, cross borders and promote social cohesion.
This theme is focusing on projects that are providing opportunities for forcibly displaced people (including but not limited to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants) to engage in sport, with the aim to facilitate their social inclusion.
 

2.    Promotion of Gender Equality through Sport and Physical Activity

All over the world it is found that sport and physical activity participation levels of women and girls is generally lower than men and boys. This can be attributed to the additional barriers and discrimination which females face, as well as the consequences of having less access and fewer opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity. Gender equality concerns all of us, women and men, old and young, which is evidenced by its inclusion in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (no. 5). As a social tool, sport can undeniably provide a powerful platform to promote gender equality and female empowerment.

This theme is focusing on projects that provide increased opportunities for sports and physical activity participation among women and girls.

3.    Tackling Climate Change and Protecting the Environment through Sport and Physical Activity

Sport and physical activity are influential and valuable tools which can contribute towards sustainable development, tackling climate change and promoting the conservation of our environment. A few ways to make such an impact can be to:
a.    Promote and further develop forms of sport which are compatible with nature and the environment 
b.    Make sport and physical activity-related infrastructure more environmentally compatible
c.    Organise sport practices that are eco-friendly (e.g. use of recyclable materials, beverages, packaging, etc.)
d.    Promote active mobility
e.    Reduce damage to environmentally vulnerable areas through sport
f.    Develop environmentally sustainable sport organisations

This theme is focusing on projects striving to provide access to sport for all, with a positive impact on the environment.

4.    Promotion of Sport and Physical Activity Participation through Innovation

Innovation is a cornerstone of today’s society; impacting all aspects of our daily lives. Sport and physical activity are not an exception to this as new ideas, new concepts and new technologies are every day transforming the way we engage populations to participate in sport and physical activity.

This theme is focusing on projects using innovative practices, measures and/or technology to increase participation rates in sport and physical activity within the communities they operate in and/or across the wider population.

To apply and for more information, please consult the IOC website: https://www.olympic.org/sport-and-active-society