The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and French Development Agency (AFD) are joining forces to harness the power of sports in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This groundbreaking collaboration aims to use sports as a catalyst for global development and well-being.
Youth Crime Prevention in Asia Through Sports In 2024, the IOC and AFD will launch an innovative program targeting youth crime in Asia. Each organization will invest €1 million to fund sports-based crime prevention projects in four Asian countries. These community-driven initiatives will:
- Engage thousands of at-risk youth
- Provide training for sports organizations
- Build capacity in criminal justice sectors
This venture strengthens the IOC’s partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, using sports to prevent violence and foster peaceful communities.
Sports for Education and Livelihoods in Africa Simultaneously, the IOC and Laureus Sport for Good are expanding their “Sport, Education and Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa” program. With an additional €1 million investment, they aim to:
- Support youth education through sports
- Boost employability in 13 African countries
- Reach 12,000 young people
- Provide technical assistance to 45 organizations
This expansion aligns with the Olympism365 strategy and supports the upcoming Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.
Sports as a Force for Good The IOC-AFD partnership exemplifies the Olympism365 strategy, which aims to magnify the Olympic Movement’s impact on UN SDGs. Following Recommendation 10 of Olympic Agenda 2020+5, this collaboration fosters innovation among diverse organizations, showcasing sports as a powerful tool for positive change.
Moreover, the partnership will extend the social legacy of Paris 2024 beyond France, using the international platform to drive global progress.
via: Inside the Games
