Sport and Active Society

The Sport and Active Society Commission (formerly the Sport for All Commission) advises the IOC Session, the IOC Executive Board and the IOC President on all the activities of the Olympic Movement that are related to using sport to improve physical activity in the population, giving access to sport as a right for all, and on engaging in sports activities with a special focus on youth.

Olympic Agenda 2020 reflects the fact that sport is more important in society than ever, and increasing activity and engagement in sport in society should be a key goal of governments and non-governmental agencies throughout the world.

The responsibilities of the Sport and Active Society Commission are to:

• Give input on relevant activities related to the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020 specifically related to promoting an active life style in society, with a focus on youth;
• Engaging society in sport and work with various parties to build on the sport legacy of the Olympic Games and major events to get the wider community active;
• Facilitate synergies among various organisations, which work to increase the accessibility of sport as a right for all.

The Sport and Active Society Commission is supported by the Sports Department.

Development grant programme supports organisations that are running effective Sport for All programmes.

The IOC Sport and Active Society Commission has four development grants worth USD 20,000 each to award to organisations that are running effective Sport for All programmes in their communities.

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.

Themes

This year’s grants fall under three themes: sports legacy for the Olympic Games or other major events; community-wide promotion of physical activity; and the engagement of youth. To be considered for a grant, applicants need to demonstrate that their project:

- has a long-term and sustainable timeline;
- uses sport or physical activity as a tool to tackle social issues;
- uses available public space and/or sport facilities and venues to promote participation in physical activity;
- has developed long-term partnerships; and
- has a monitoring/evaluation plan in place.

Application process

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), not for profit organisations, International and National Federations (including IOC-Recognised International Federations) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are eligible to apply. The applicants will be shortlisted by a panel of judges from the IOC Sports, Olympic Games, Olympic Solidarity, and Public Affairs and Social Development through Sport Departments.

The shortlist will then be presented to the Sport and Active Society Commission Grants Panel who will select the winners. Those interested in applying for a grant are asked to send a completed application form to activesociety@olympic.org. Regulations regarding the IOC Sport and Active Society Commission Development Grant can be found here.

Examples of past projects
Recent development grant recipients include a project by The Martin Luther King Association that provides social benefits by engaging children and teenagers in volleyball and football programmes in Lima, Peru. Another grant winner was the Gansbaai Sports Centre in Gansbaai, South Africa. The centre provides a “neutral” space for the three culturally diverse communities situated in the area. Its mission is to empower the communities by offering skills training and leadership opportunities while promoting education, health, social integration and participation through sport.