2017: The Olympic Refuge Foundation
In September 2017, during its Session in Lima, the IOC launched the Olympic Refuge Foundation to support the protection, development and empowerment of children and young people in vulnerable situations through sport.
This initiative emerged from the strong and longstanding partnership with the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, which began in 1994.
Working in cooperation with the United Nations, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and other foundations, the Olympic Refuge Foundation supports projects across the world on two levels, to:
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create safe, basic and accessible sports facilities in areas where there are refugees, a displaced migrant population or internally displaced people, where all children and young people can play sport and take advantage of sport’s multiple benefits; and
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develop sporting activities that can be successfully implemented within these safe environments.
The Foundation funds projects across the world thanks to the generous donations from Olympic Movement partners, government institutions and private donations.