03 September 2024 – Building on the success of the Impact 2024 International legacy programme of Paris 2024, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced additional funding totalling USD 450,000 for 10 sport-for-development projects across Africa with the aim of expanding this legacy beyond the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Through this initiative, the IOC will ensure continued funding for the most innovative and impactful projects that have been supported by Paris 2024 and the French Development Agency (AFD) in Africa. The IOC’s investment, over an 18-month period, aims to continue to build peaceful and inclusive societies through sport across the African continent. It will be delivered through the “Sustained Insight and Impact” initiative, launched in March 2024.

The 10 selected projects, which were also a part of the Impact 2024 International programme, are:

• Broadening Horizons (by The Little Optimist Academy and Trust, South Africa) supports at-risk youth to develop transferable skills through sailing.
  
• Using Sport to Create Gender Equality Champions in Life (by Kids Play Rwanda, Rwanda) works with young girls and their communities to challenge harmful gender norms.
  
• Kick4Life Gymnasium (by Kick4Life, Lesotho) supports disadvantaged youth through community sports programmes that promote equality and inclusion.
  
• Capoeira Sociale (by Gingando pela Paz, Democratic Republic of the Congo) uses capoeira to support young people affected by armed violence and promote safe communities.
  
• Youth Sports Centred Approach (by ICDI, Uganda) delivers community sport programmes promoting social inclusion and cohesion for young people affected by displacement.
  
• Maison des Femmes (by Association DSC, Senegal) supports education and livelihoods for young women and girls through football. Capacity building of the pre-professional course (by Zip Zap Social Circus
  School, South Africa) increases access to education and employment opportunities for young people through training in circus and performance arts.
  
• Football for the promotion of women leadership (by ATPST, Togo) increases access to sport participation for young women and girls, and uses football to advance gender equality.
  
• Strengthening the Djarama Sports Centre for a Sustainable Impact (by Djarama, Senegal) supports inclusion and access to education for marginalised youth.
  
• Generation Well (by Youth Sport Uganda, Uganda) uses sport to promote health, well-being and education for vulnerable youth, including those affected by displacement.

Unlocking opportunities for vulnerable young people

One of the beneficiaries of the IOC’s investment is Gingando pela Paz – a non-profit association that uses capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian dancelike martial art, as a tool to support young people affected by armed violence and other crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The additional funding will support training of more instructors to help expand the reach of the Social Capoeira (Capoeira Sociale) project and further assist vulnerable children, particularly those from armed groups, street children, girls and young women who are victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

“The grant will enable the training of 40 young people, including 20 young women, in the Gingando pela Paz methodology and certification as social workers.”

Flavio Saudade – Executive Director of Gingando pela Paz.

The project focuses on promoting personal development and social inclusion, with positive outcomes for previous participants having included enhanced self-control, reduced stress levels, better communication and enhanced relations between girls and boys.

“I used to be very lonely and stressed, I didn’t know who to talk to about my problems,” explains Marguerite, a young beneficiary of the programme. “Now I feel stronger, I have a lot of self-confidence and I feel like part of a family. I hope to continue my training so that I can make a greater contribution to society.”

Integrating marginalised people through sailing

The beneficiaries of the IOC’s support also include The Little Optimist Academy and Trust – a non-governmental organisation that assists disadvantaged and vulnerable children in South Africa through a sailing therapy programme.

The Broadening Horizons project uses sailing as a tool to facilitate the integration and empowerment of marginalised young people who are suffering from social exclusion due to mental, physical or socioeconomic challenges.

“The IOC grant will assist The Little Optimist Academy and Trust to effectively scale, extend and improve the sailing therapy pilot project, This includes sharing insights through training, development of resources, and partnerships with sports clubs.”

Erica McCune – Academy Director

Participants in the project have improved motor skills and coordination, and developed life skills including self-confidence, independence and focus, with the organisation currently reaching around 450 young people each year, including many from Blikkiesdorp – a temporary relocation community near Cape Town that is home to more than 2,400 under-resourced families.

Extending Paris 2024’s social legacy

Launched in 2021, the Impact 2024 International programme provided funding and technical support to 45 initiatives across 19 African countries that use sport to address issues such as health, well-being, education, inclusion and equality.

Building on the success of this programme, the IOC signed a partnership with AFD and Paris 2024 with the objective of expanding this legacy beyond the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

This commitment is fully in line with the IOC’s Olympism365 strategy, which brings together organisations and networks across sectors to advance the contribution of sport and Olympism 365 days a year in four priority areas: health and active communities; more equitable and inclusive communities; peace and safer communities; and education and livelihoods.

Through its additional investment, the IOC aims to strengthen the reach and impact of these projects , while providing opportunities for the grantees and project participants to connect with and learn from each other.