Sports & Development: Impact 2024 International Call for Projects

Apply for the final session of the call for projects in Africa by February 13, 2023

A unifying and inclusive force, sports are a key component of the 2030 Agenda, and are instrumental in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sports have been among AFD’s top priorities since 2019, with the implementation of its Sports and Development strategy. 

Sports have the power to motivate young people and the ability to improve intergenerational dialogue. It thus features predominantly and is applied in innovative ways in AFD’s “100% Socal Link” strategy.

Find out more about our sports initiatives

Paris 2024 and AFD have announced the winning projects for the third edition of the Impact 2024 International Call for Projects. A total of €320,821 has been awarded to these initiatives, which address gender equality, education, health care and the inclusion of people with disabilities, in line with the shared priorities of Paris 2024 and AFD for the legacy of the Paris 2024 Games.

Ten projects selected based in seven African countries

This year, the selection committee, made up of representatives from Paris 2024, AFD and experts from organizations such as La Guilde, Sport en Commun, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Plan International, Play International, the Décathlon Foundation and the Société Générale Foundation, has opted to support ten projects based in seven different African countries.

This third edition focused on promoting team sports in particular (rugby, soccer and basketball). Over the course of the three editions organized thus far, the number of projects supported by Impact 2024 has increased to 32, located in 17 African countries.

The winning projects:

“STRENGTHENING THE MAPUBI SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND SPORTS CENTER IN CAMEROON”

Supported by the Cultude association, the “Sporteiid” program, which stands for Sport, Education, Integration and Development, aims to impact the daily lives of children and young people in the city of Edéa in Cameroon through sport, culture and education.

“OVERCOMING DISABILITY THROUGH SPORT”

Led by the Ivorian Federation of Sports for the Visually Impaired (FISMA), this project aims to promote the socio-economic integration of young people with visual disabilities in Côte d’Ivoire.

“A NEW ISAAC PITCH IN A SLUM”: IMPROVING ACCESS TO SPORTS AND CULTURE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

Backed by the A Human Rainbow association and the Kibera Black Stars sports club in Kenya, this project involves renovating the Isaac Pitch playground to improve children’s access to various sporting and cultural activities under better conditions.

“GIRLS POWER PUNCH WELLNESS INITIATIVE”: BOXING THERAPY

Supported by the Boxgirls Kenya organization, this project uses boxing to improve the mental health of girls and young women who are marginalized and excluded from their communities. Up to 30 trainers will deliver close to 500 coaching sessions in a safe environment to help improve the well-being of women in the local community.

“ALAFIA MAROC”: RUGBY TO PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH

A joint program between the Terres en Mêlées and TIBU Africa associations, this project transforms the practice of rugby into a real tool for personal development, citizenship education and gender equality in order to promote the emancipation of young girls in the Casablanca region of Morocco.

See also: Rugby, a key role to play in the sustainable development goals

“COMBATING EARLY PREGNANCY IN KASESE DISTRICT, UGANDA”

This project, supported by the New life Foundation for Community Rural Development (NeFCoRD), uses the awareness-raising power of sport to combat teenage pregnancy in the Kasese district of Uganda.

“DEVLOP (LOCAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SHARED OLYMPISM)”

“DEVLOP” is a local development project that involves education, vocational training and the creation of a socio-sports educator career path. The program, launched by ASSCAN, is based on the construction of local sports infrastructure to promote a social, solidarity and circular economy in Senegal.

“DJARAMA”

The purpose of this project, led by the Djarama association, is to build sports facilities in the town of Toubab Dialaw in Senegal, with a view to promoting the positive values of sport and fostering the well-being of young people, while organizing citizenship and environmental educational programs.

“RUGBY, A VEHICLE FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN SENEGAL”

A Senegalese association specializing in the protection of young people by promoting rugby’s educational values, La Maison du Rugby is supporting 200 young members with their studies and their training in the sport.

“FULFILLING YOURSELF THROUGH BASKETBALL”

Initiated by Leading Youth, Sport and Development (LYSD), this program promotes social cohesion, human development, gender issues and youth employability through basketball in Togo and follows the progress of at least 700 young basketball players.

Opening of the 4th and final session on January 16, 2023

Eligible organizations (including associations, foundations, local authorities, companies, sports clubs, federations, cooperatives, state structures and public entities) are asked to submit their proposed initiative for the final edition of Impact 2024 International by February 13, 2023. Organizations whose initiatives are selected will then be given access to the project submission process from March 3 to April 17, 2023.

Projects must be based in Africa. All 54 countries of the continent are eligible, except if classified as red zones by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Winners will receive financial support of up to €40,000 per project, covering a maximum of up to 75% of the project’s overall budget.