In 2005, Togo initiated a state modernisation process including economic reforms, decentralisation and democratisation. Nevertheless, so far only few participatory opportunities for children and young people exist. In Togo, the German development cooperation promotes social and political participation through sport and strengthens collaboration between municipalities and civil society.

Responsible for newly constructed or renovated sports grounds by the German development cooperation’s “Sport for Development in Africa” (S4DA) Regional Project, municipalities and citizens work together in steering committees to ensure the sustainable usage of the sports grounds. The steering committees are responsible of the maintenance of the sports grounds and for offering S4D trainings regularly. S4DA advises the steering committees in developing S4D concepts for a sustainable use of the sports grounds.

Children and youth from schools, civil society organisations and the communities have access to the sports grounds. Qualified S4D coaches and teachers use the sports grounds to offer sports activities designed to promote key social competences. Being role models for children and youth, the coaches encourage children and youth to take responsibility and play an active role in their communities.

The National Institute of Youth and Sports (INJS), a qualification institute for physical education teachers, integrated the S4D approach into its curriculum. Future physical education teachers are systematically qualified in S4D, the quality of physical education is improved and S4D is spread nationwide, reaching schools and pupils in the whole country. S4DA advises the INJS in the process.

We invite you to have a look at the following teaching and learning materials, which were created by S4DA on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and our partner organizations in the Togo. You will find a more detailed description about the materials in our collection S4D Tools for your Practice/Teaching and Learning Materials.

If you want to have more detailed and/or further information about S4D in the country, please have a look at the following publications.