IOC announces winners of its 2016 Sport and Active Society Grants
Four developments grants worth USD 20,000 each have been awarded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Sport and Active Society Commission to organisations running effective sport for all programmes in their communities.
And the winners are…
With a global network of sport-for-development projects, Boxgirls Kenya uses boxing as a catalyst for social change and a tool of empowerment for women and girls. In turn, football takes centre stage for the not-for-profit Dreamfields Project. This development grant-winner provides townships and rural schools across South Africa with the necessary tools and equipment to play football, even in the most remote parts of the country.
We look forward to seeing how these development grants can help them pursue their missions, and inspire others who are making tremendous strides in increasing access to sport across the globe.
Through various in-school leadership programmes and after-school sports and arts activities, the Salaam Bombay Foundation engages with 50,000 Indian children, building their self-esteem and developing their life skills with the help of sport, to ensure they then can make the right choices for their health, education and livelihood. Finally, whether working in Boston’s inner city or in Rwanda’s rural highlands, international sport-for-development organisation Shooting Touch uses the power of basketball to educate and empower at-risk young people and the communities in which they live.
“In today’s world, more than ever, it’s imperative that we keep moving and are physically active in our communities. Therefore I was thrilled by the high calibre of applications that we received for this year’s 2016 Sport and Active Society Commission Development Grants” said Commission Chair Sam Ramsamy. “We received applications from all corners of the globe. Our four winners are delivering effective sport for all programmes that use netball, cricket, hockey, basketball, football and boxing as a catalyst for change in local communities. We look forward to seeing how these development grants can help them pursue their missions, and inspire others who are making tremendous strides in increasing access to sport across the globe”.
A case study detailing the projects and programmes of each of the winners will be added to the IOC’s Get Moving Toolkit.
The development grants were created by the Commission to fulfil its mission to encourage people everywhere to participate in regular physical activity and to promote the health and social benefits of sport. It is also in keeping with the reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement that was approved in December 2014. The winners were selected by the Sport and Active Society Commission Grants Panel.
Advocating for sport for all
The IOC Sport and Active Society Commission works to increase the accessibility of sport as a right for all, and engages with society to build on the sporting legacy of the Olympic Games and other major events. It is also responsible for activities related to the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020, specifically those related to the promotion of active lifestyles in society, in particular among young people.