How Dakar 2026 is empowering the next generation
Youth engagement is at the heart of Dakar 2026 and its vision for youth and sport to join as one to drive the transformation of Senegal and provide a source of inspiration for the whole of Africa. Dakar 2026 aims to be a catalyst for developing youth opportunities and sport in general in the host country and across the continent as a whole.
Key initiatives
Several initiatives have been set up with the intention of transforming the lives of young people in Senegal through sport. These initiatives are aligned with the Youth Olympic Games’ missions of learning key skills, connecting with other cultures, and celebrating the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
Some of these initiatives are listed below.
Learning Academy
Launched in May 2025, the Dakar 2026 Learning Academy is a flagship human-legacy initiative, training and recruiting over 400 Senegalese and African professionals aged 21 to 35 in the lead-up to the Youth Olympic Games. It equips them with essential skills to support the delivery of Dakar 2026, while creating a lasting legacy of experienced event organisers in Senegal and across Africa.
Organised in nine cohorts over 18 months, from April 2025 to September 2026, participants receive 10 days of IOC-delivered training, followed by five days of soft-skills development. Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, they gain knowledge in Games planning, sports and event operations, and functional area responsibilities.
After completing their training, participants join the Dakar 2026 Organising Committee, applying their skills directly to coordinate and deliver the Youth Olympic Games. This growing pool of talent will also strengthen Senegal’s and Africa’s capacity to deliver future sporting events.
Brevet Olympique Civique et Sportif
Implemented by the Dakar 2026 YOCOG, the Brevet Olympique Civique et Sportif is a national Olympic values-based education programme designed to reach up to 900,000 children aged 9 to 15 in 11,000 schools by 2026. Course participants have the opportunity to volunteer at Dakar 2026, and trainers are awarded diplomas at the annual Dakar en Jeux festival.
Kids Olympic Skills
A nationwide initiative launched at Dakar en Jeux, Kids Olympic Skills promotes education and youth engagement through sport, giving young people aged 6 to 18 the opportunity to try a variety of sports ahead of Dakar 2026.
Impact 52 Fitness
Impact 52 Fitness encourages the people of Senegal to take up sport, all with the aim of improving their health and well-being.