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Tracking 'Sport for Development' worldwide |
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| Tracking ‘Sport for Development’ (S4D) worldwide |
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 With a global pandemic influencing the way S4D is being implemented, new learning opportunities in digital form are being developed to reach the S4D community and target group.
Facts and figures of ‘Sport for Development’ (S4D). Photo © GIZ |
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Empowerment of Women through Football Cup in Mexico
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by Shahzad Nawaz and Florian Schmidbauer
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| On a warm sunny day in late January, 150 young women from six schools in the region of Mexico City came together to compete in a football tournament. Friends and families of the participants came to cheer on and give their support to the young women, while coaches gave instructions and encouraged players to communicate effectively, demonstrate teamwork and give it their all. The event was the highlight to a long-lasting community programme by Borussia Academy which engages youth by organizing weekly football practices throughout the year. |
 | Football for Female Development in Mexico. Photo © GIZ Mexico |
| The programme aims to promote physical activity in schools while at the same time promoting the concept of dual education system in Mexico. The event was spearheaded by GIZ Mexico together with its partners Egidius Braun Stiftung, a German Football Foundation, and the support of the Undersecretary of Higher Secondary Education of Mexico (SEMS). The event focused on promoting more physical activity among young women with a pedagogical approach to instil values such as teamwork, tolerance, and resilience. |
 | 'Sport for Development' helps to promote the concept of dual education system in Mexico. Photo © GIZ Mexico |
Among the accolades of participating and competing in a football tournament, the participants were also awarded 150 football pairs awarded by Evonik, a German conglomerate. Participants voiced their excitement about the programme explaining they felt more confident and able to express themselves better in a group setting. GIZ continues to work on similar projects to create opportunities for people to realise their potential.
Contact:
florian.schmidbauer@giz.de
shahzad.nawaz@giz.de |
| Ibero-America is committed to creating common Indicators to measure the Contribution of Sport to Sustainable Development in the Region |
by Maria-José Munoz Calvo
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| A common initiative has been created between the Ibero-American Sports Council CID, GIZ, and UNESCO for the formulation of common indicators to measure the impact of physical activity and sport on the advocacy of the SDGs. |
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 | Created a common initiative: representatives from Latin America at the event in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Photo © CFCE- AECID, Bolivia |
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Representatives from 15 countries of the region participated in the event in early March in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. It was a 4-day event, where the participants exchanged experiences, worked on common analysis, training, teamwork and coordination. The High Council of Sport and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation AECID also supported the event’s organisation.
At this event, 12 prioritised indicators have been discussed, that will contribute to 5 SDGs. At the beginning of the inactive, a pilot phase will be implemented. What are the next steps? At the CIS General Assembly in May, it is expected that the indicators will be officially approved and the countries where the pilot phase will be implemented will be chosen. It is time that Ibero-America counts with appropriate data to know how sport contributes to development!
Further information:
» CID’s website
» AECID on Facebook
Contact:
maria-jose.munoz@giz.de |
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| Promoting Gender Equality in Senegal |
by Catherine Daraspe and Peter Schwarz
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Together with Sport Impact, the Regional Project 'Sport for Development in Africa' organised two activities in Senegal promoting gender equality through a workshop and the launch of a female sports entrepreneurship competition.
20 coaches, including 12 women and 8 men, came together in Kaolack for training on the S4D approach, discussion and reflection sessions on gender equality and positive masculinity, and a sensitisation day on menstrual hygiene management. The 5-day workshop in partnership with Sport Impact sought to strengthen the capacities of coaches from various disciplines in carrying out safe and inclusive sports and education programmes contributing to the socio-economic empowerment of girls and women.
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 | «This training deepened my knowledge on subjects such as the roles and responsibilities of a coach, and gender concepts that I did not know. But above all, it allowed me to acquire a new method for my workouts with the S4D approach» - Ousmane Diallo, Terang'Aby. Photo © GIZ Senegal |
The 'Women in Sports Entrepreneurship Competition', launched on March 8 together with Sport Impact, aims to promote women's professional and entrepreneurial projects related to sports. The competition is designed to tackle the low representation of women in the labour market, especially in sport. The winning project, which will be selected during the Sport Impact Summit from 31 May to 2 June in Dakar will receive financial and technical support for the implementation over a maximum period of 10 months.
Contact:
catherine.daraspe@giz.de
peter.schwarz@giz.de |
| How to develop Skills of young People for Employment Promotion? |
by Dina Klingmann
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| According to the European Center for the Development of Vocational Training (2011) employability 'is the combination of all factors which enable a [young person] to progress towards or get into employment, to stay in employment and to progress during a career'. Sport for Employability programmes can support young people to equip themselves with a wide range of life skills, that match the actual labour market demands. According to the Future of Jobs Report (2020) from the World Economic Forum the top ten skills for 2025 are to a great extent related to problem-solving, self-management and working with people. |
 | Learning more about the 'Sport for Development' approach. Photo © GIZ_Llapashtica |
 | Teamwork and cooperation are one of the skills improved during the training sessions. Photo © GIZ Llapashtica |
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But how to set up such a sport related offer, how can we actively guide the skill learning process and how can young people really acquire these skills that are an indispensable prerequisite for employment?
We tried to approach those questions and designed a practical resource that supports coaches, teachers and youth workers across the Western Balkans (WB) in using ‘Sport for Development’ as a tool to promote youth employability. We draw on the experience of the WB Youth proMOTION initiative, implemented by GIZ, that seeks to make practical learning available to a wider audience.
Further information:
» European Center for the Development of Vocational Training (2011)
» Future of Jobs Report 2020
» Sport for Employability Manual
Contact:
dina.klingmann@giz.de |
| Closing an Episode to start a new One |
by Insaf Brahmi
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| A closing ceremony for the first phase of S4D Tunisia took place on 14 March 2023 in the presence of the Director General of Youth in the Tunisian ministry of Youth and Sport, ambassadors and ‘Sport for Development’ (S4D) instructors. The first phase of S4D in Tunisia was implemented from 2019 – 2022. |
 | At the closing ceremony for the first phase of S4D in Tunisia . Photo © GIZ Tunisia |
This event aimed to celebrate the successes of this phase with the group of S4D instructors and ambassadors formed as part of the collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and deliver S4D instructors’ certificates. Furthermore, the start of the second phase was announced, which focus even more on strengthening employment and promoting vocational training. The program in Tunisia is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.During this phase, the programme will support its partners in using S4D to support marginalised young people as part of measures to promote employability and gender equality.
Contact:
insaf.brahmi@giz.de |
| International Women's Day 2023 Celebrations in Zanzibar |
by Frank Olukohe and Mariam Ibrahim
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Every year, people from around the world come together to celebrate International Women's Day on 8 March. This year's theme, 'DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality', explored the role of innovation and technology in advancing gender equality and empowering women. It aimed at highlighting the importance of enhancing gender-responsive digital systems to protect the rights of women while addressing information and communications technology (ICT)-facilitated gender-based violence.
Despite advancements, women and girls still face various challenges in the digital space, including reduced access to digital technologies and limited digital skills. This gender digital divide creates barriers to economic empowerment by limiting women’s access to information, education, and employment. |
 | Great atmosphere at the International Women's Day in Zanzibar. Photo © Copyrights: Zanzibar Ministry of Community Development, Gender, the Elderly and Children |
Like the digital space, women and girls in Tanzania face similar challenges in sports, including limited access to sports facilities, minimal financial support, and gender-based discrimination. They also face societal stereotypes that discourage them from pursuing sports as a career or even just for leisure. This lack of support for women's sports hinders development and perpetuates gender inequality.
The Ministry of Gender and the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and 'Sport for Development in Africa' (S4DA) came together to highlight the crucial role of innovation, technology, and sports in achieving gender equality during this year's International Women's Day celebrations. The Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare organised an awareness walk with over 1,000 girls and young women from the Mapinduzi Square to Amani Stadium which culminated with sports exercises at the stadium. Government officials, organisations and individuals showcased their efforts towards promoting women's rights and gender equality at the event. These activities presented an opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of innovation, technology, and sports in achieving gender equality.
Contact:
mariam.ibrahim@giz.de
frankline.olukohe@giz.de |
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| Building Bridges through Sport: Strengthening Social Cohesion and Resilience, Promoting Gender Equality, Inclusion and Peaceful Conflict Resolution |
by Ilyas Muhammad
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For 40 years, approximately 1.2 million refugees have been living in urban and rural settings in Pakistan's northwestern province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. While efforts have been made to promote social cohesion between refugees and host communities, more initiatives are needed to engage young people and vulnerable groups in promoting gender equality, inclusion, and peaceful conflict resolution.
To address this, the Global Programme ‘Sport for Development’ and Social Support for Vulnerable Afghan Refugees and Host Communities (SSARC) project, in partnership, will train 200 vulnerable groups from both Afghan refugee and host communities as coaches on the Sport for Development approach. These coaches will work together for two years in selected locations to strengthen social cohesion and resilience, promote gender equality, inclusion, and peaceful conflict resolution.
The trained coaches will act as multipliers of S4D, engaging over 4,000 community members through 40 Community oriented S4D initiatives implemented in selected locations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. By building bridges through sport and promoting social cohesion and resilience, this project aims to foster gender equality, inclusion, and peaceful conflict resolution.
The project will be implemented in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in close collaboration with the government partners including Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees and the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Contact:
muhammad.ilyas@giz.de |
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How partners build capacities with 'Sport for Development' |
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| 'From Field to Fanshop' Sustainability Initiative for fair Fan Articles on the first Trip to Cotton Producers in India |
by Hannes Utescher
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| The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in collaboration with Brands Fashion, has launched the 'From Field to the Fan Shop' initiative, which recently travelled to India for a project kick-off visit. |
 | Around 35 participants travelled to India for a kick-off visit to the project sites. Photo © GIZ |
 | As the largest producer, India grows over 50% of the world's organic cotton. Photo © GIZ |
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Nine football clubs, including recently Borussia Dortmund and FC St. Pauli, have joined the alliance to support 450 smallholder farmers in India in converting to organic cotton cultivation. Additionally, the project will support around 1,000 children and young people from the neighbouring farm communities through sports training.
The GIZ programmes 'Sustainability and Value Added in Agricultural Supply Chains' and 'Sport for Development', together with local partners, are implementing the project cross-department on behalf of the BMZ. During the kick-off visit to the project region in Gujarat, North-West India, the project participants and producers of the RDFC were able to get to know each other and exchange ideas. The farmers are receiving training in sustainable cultivation practices and access to improved seeds. The clubs are committed to buying the cotton produced by the project for their merchandise products.
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 | Children and young people in the growing regions also benefit from the initiative. |
Through ‘Sport for Development’ the initiative also promotes access to education and sports opportunities for children and youth in different communities in the cotton growing region. The programme builds self-confidence, improves school performance, and raises awareness of environmental protection and resource conservation.
The clubs have already started purchasing cotton from the project, the first fan articles are expected to go on sale in summer 2023 in Germany.
Contact:
hannes.utescher@giz.de |
| BMZ-Event on Human Rights and Sport for Development |
by Sarah Runzheimer
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 | Cover picture of the Guideline – Sport for Development and Human Rights. Photo © GIZ |
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Following the launch of the Guideline 'Sport for Development and Human Rights' in December 2022, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) invited representatives from ministries, international and national sport organisations, civil society, and academia to discuss the role and contribution of Sport and ‘Sport for Development’ to Human Rights. The so-called "Thementeam” on Human Rights & Sport for Development took place in Berlin on 2 March 2023 with 46 participants. Head of BMZ Directorate General 1 'Global health; employment; transformation of the economy; digital technologies; food and nutrition security' Mr. Meyer opened the meeting together with Ms. Kuhn, Head of Division 104 “Education”, stating the strong relevance of human rights in society, development cooperation and of course the sport cosmos. He noted the overwhelming interest in the topic by sport stakeholders and sees the field and ‘Sport for Development’ in particular in a unique position to contribute to the realisation of human rights. However, he also motivated all participants to ask and discuss critically and openly, so that we don't just talk for the sake of talking, but to bring ideas and improvement into action.
Jonas Burgheim from 'Zentrum für Menschenrechte & Sport' and Dr. Joachim Rücker from 'German National Sport Confederation (DOSB)' shared inputs with the audience on the international and national developments in the field. Mr. Burgheim reflected on the increasing relevance of the two topics (sport and human rights) not only on their own but specifically as a pair that holds prospects for the future. His input concludes with three suggestions: (1) The integration of human rights (education) as part of sport projects in development cooperation, (2) clearer requirements for German sports organisations by the Federal Government to achieve the implementation of human rights due diligence in Germany and (3) constructive joined efforts towards social sustainability in sport. Mr. Rücker shed light on the journey of DOSB towards a human rights policy. Milestones of the organisation include the installment of a human rights advisory council, the commitment to respect human rights in the DOSB statutes, the current process of a risk analysis and evaluation and the goal to introduce a human rights policy.
The global programme ‘Sport for Development’ presented its contributions to human rights in the partner countries of German Development Cooperation jointly with the sector programme Human Rights. One example included the application of a human rights-based approach in the Western Balkans. Here the participation and empowerment of youth is realised by closely consulting with youth in planning and decision-making processes on local policy level. Mr. Elsner and Ms. Schnieder concluded by giving an outlook towards human rights training series in the partner countries of German Development Cooperation.
A lively discussion was held between the numerous and diverse stakeholders present followed by an informal get-together that left plenty of room to explore possible synergies and collaboration in the future. Participants left with more insight of each other’s endeavours regarding human rights and were able to identify possibilities for collaboration for greater impact.
Further information:
» Guideline “Sport for Development and Human Rights”
Contact:
sarah.runzheimer@giz.de |
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| How has 'Sport for Development' empowered you? |
by Mariam Ibrahim
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| In celebration of International Women’s Day, we collected pictures and statements from female trainers, instructors, and facilitators from each of our project countries. The goal of the campaign was to amplify the voices and experiences of women in ‘Sport for Development’ (S4D) from around the world. |
 | One of the statements on S4D's International Women's Day 2023 campaign. Photo © S4D GIZ |
Sport is a powerful tool in promoting gender equality. ’I firmly believe that S4D transforms lives, just as it empowered mine,’ shares Marilay Márquez, an S4D Instructor from Ecuador/Venezuela. By providing safe spaces and accepting all participants, S4D creates an environment where participants can discuss and reflect on sensitive topics like gender-based violence, menstrual hygiene management, and positive masculinity. 'The pitch is a level playing field for everyone,’ states Irena Beleskovska, a basketball and S4D Trainer from North Macedonia. It is this equality on the pitch that allows for these conversations to take place.
Trainers, instructors, and facilitators are trained to best create these spaces and to adapt the S4D approaches to their respective contexts allowing for the discussion of topics that are impacting their communities. Marie Anna Gomez, an S4D Multiplier from Gambia says that ’S4D has improved my personal and professional teaching practice, enabled me to facilitate more effective learning sessions, empowered my students, and promoted tolerance among different genders.’
Further information:
» Interested in finding out what the other women, who participated in our campaign had to say? Want to share your own experience with S4D? Join the conversation on our S4D Instagram channel
Contact:
mariam.ibrahim@giz.de |
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| Feminist Development Policy – A new Approach? |
by Luise Haunit
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Over the last few months, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has drawn up a strategy on Feminist Development Policy in a broad consultation process that involved international civil society, international organisations and academia, involving numerous voices from the partner countries of German development cooperation. It was launched on 1 March 2023 by the Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze.
Guided by the 3Rs - rights, resources, and representation – the BMZ aims at shifting the perspective and to contribute to changing the unequal power structures around the world while often patriarchal social structures are still the reality for a majority of women and girls.
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 | Key visual of Feminist Develpment Policy. Photo © www.bmz.de/en/issues/feminist-development-policy |
By 2025, more than 90 per cent of newly committed project funds of BMZ are to be earmarked for projects that advance gender equality. In addition, Minister Schulze points out: “Feminist development policy is also a dictate of common sense. Women are strong, women have innovative ideas, women have knowledge. No society can afford not to use this potential if it wants to progress. If women have equal rights and equal responsibility then there is less poverty, less hunger and more stability in the world. This means that it pays off to strengthen women’s and girls’ resources and representation.”
Looking at the 3Rs, we see the following definitions:
1. Rights: Promoting “all women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of human rights, which includes combating all forms of violence and discrimination that restrict their freedom of action”;
2. Representation: Promoting “women’s par¬ticipation and influence in decision-making processes at all levels and in all areas”;
3. Resources: Ensuring “that resources are allocated to promote gender equality and equal opportunities for all women and girls to enjoy human rights”.
The rights include, for example, the right to be able to decide for oneself whether and when they want to have children, and how many children they want to have. It includes the right to education: All girls should be given the chance to graduate from school and learn the profession they are interested in. Furthermore, all women need to be guaranteed the right to go to court and seek justice if they face unfair working conditions or their rights are violated in any other way.
The resources include, for instance, access to land. Worldwide, women account for 43 per cent of the workforce in the agricultural sector; yet less than 15 per cent of landowners are women because of discriminatory inheritance laws. In addition, women need equal access to social protection systems such as health systems and provisions for old age.
Representation is about women participating in political offices, in decision-making bodies and in jurisdiction.
Women represent half of the world’s population. Therefore, they represent the world’s largest disadvantaged group. In addition, a number of marginalised groups are being discriminated against: LGBTIQ+ persons, people with disabilities and indigenous communities are experiencing exclusion from basic human rights almost on a daily basis but especially in critical situations.
‘Sport for Development’ (S4D) as a tool has addressed the questions of equality and human rights for many years and the GIZ programmes working on S4D are looking at the issue of gender equality and inclusion more holistically in order to initiate individuals and societal transformation. |
 | Gender training at Bjelina in Bosnia and Hercegovina. Photo © Monika Veljanoska |
In the Western Balkans, the S4D programme conducted workshops with gender and ethnically mixed participants that focused on discussing gender stereotypes, social norms and the under-representation of marginalized groups as one of the most widespread impediments to local gender equality. Apart from discussing these issues, practical sessions were held so that participants could feel and see the consequences within the sport context. The ‘Sport for Development’ approach was also used to improve teamwork, communication, and leadership skills as important aspects of empowering marginalized groups.
In Columbia the S4D team focusis specifically based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Both women and LGTBIQ+ persons face barriers that limit their inclusion and full participation in sports. Together with the Women&Sport council of the Ibero-American Sports Council, the Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport and the GIZ programme PazDiversa, the S4D project has developed a project proposal which addresses issues from an intersectional perspective to foster an inclusive sport environment. This contributes to the promotion of rights, participation, representation, and development of all, regardless of their identities. Some examples of these inequalities are the gender pay gaps among sportsmen & sportswomen, the fact that women are the main victims of discrimination and violence in sport and the discrimination of the LGBTIQ+ population.
The global S4D-Community will have a virtual learning space, embodied in an online course on gender stereotypes, using sport (as an environment accessible to many) for the analysis of daily situations and the negative effects of stereotypes reproduction, not only in the practice of sport but also in the daily lives of people. The learning experience will include a serious game with situational examples and multiple options on concrete situations allowing for experiential learning and the internalization of the lessons, opportunities, and challenges presented by diversity. Educational tools will be videos, podcasts, games, and images that facilitate the appropriation of the content.
‘Sport for Development’ can contribute to putting Feminist Development Policy into action. With the political efforts aiming to push for societal transformation and accountability on a global policy level, S4D plays its role on the pitches and boardrooms around the world.
Further information:
» To learn more about the Feminist Develpment Policy, please visit BMZ's press release.
Contact:
luise.haunit@giz.de |
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| Introducing Dr Heike Kuhn as BMZ’s Head of Division “Education” responsible for “Sport for Development” |
by Steffen Reich
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| Dr Heike Kuhn is head of division “Education” at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and responsible for “Sport for Development” since February 2023. 'Spo(r)tlight on!' would like to welcome and introduce her: |
 | Dr Heike Kuhn, Head of Division 104 – Education, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Photo © privat |
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'Spo(r)tlight on!': What experiences have you had with 'Sport for Development' so far?
Dr Heike Kuhn: In recent years, I have been heading the divisions “human rights/gender” and “education”. ‘Sport for Development’ is inextricably linked to both topics. Sport is a powerful tool for promoting human rights and education. Sport and physical activities bring fun and enjoyment while teaching life skills and values such as tolerance and respect.
'Spo(r)tlight on!': What is particularly attractive about 'Sport for Development'?
Dr Heike Kuhn: The 2030 Agenda acknowledges sport is an important enabler of sustainable development and peace. Sport can teach basic values such as inclusion, respect, equality, teamwork, and fairness. Sport has also the power to transform gender roles and contributes directly to gender equality. Especially, girls and young women often thrive when they feel their successes, gaining self-confidence which is so important in this early stage of life.
'Spo(r)tlight on!': What will be the focus of your work with 'Sport for Development'?
Dr Heike Kuhn: Using all the opportunities offered by sport to support education and gender equality. And to contribute to designated SDGs such as good health, quality education, gender equality, employment, social inclusion or peaceful coexistence.
'Spo(r)tlight on!': What are your expectations and wishes for integrating 'Sport for Development' in your division?
Dr Heike Kuhn: ‘Sport for Development’ (S4D) is a youth pedagogical approach. S4D creates a playful learning field. Education is an integral part of S4D. Inclusive and value-based sport lays the foundation for positive behaviour change. Sport plays an important role in socialization, especially of children and young people, and provides opportunities for lifelong learning.
'Spo(r)tlight on!': What do you do in your free time?
Dr Heike Kuhn: Swimming, gymnastics, chess, reading.
'Spo(r)tlight on!': Thank you for this interview.
Contact:
steffen.reich@giz.de |
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