HOW SPORTS ARE PUSHING BOUNDARIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD

Sport inspires and unites. Through its impact on education, health, equality and social cohesion, sport can transform society and change lives. Sport is a universal language that opens spaces for people to express themselves, try new things and work towards personal emancipation.

At AFD Group we want to share this possibility of going beyond your limits through the personal stories told in the “Sports, Beyond the Game”.

For several years and in many countries, we’ve been supporting projects that use sport to impact nearly 10 million people.

Authentic and surprising, these testimonies challenge preconceived ideas about sport, and reveal its true potential to impact the world.

EMPOWER

Sports allows individuals to improve themselves - and not just physically. They provide the training grounds for people to strengthen their physical and mental health, and for them to take their own future in hand. Also, by challenging gender stereotypes, sports enable men and women to discover themselves and become active players in their own lives.

© Ibrahima Kebe Diallo / AFD
© Ibrahima Kebe Diallo / AFD

Pour le Sourire d'un Enfant

Senegal

A second chance can change a life, especially at the start of the journey. Every young person can impact the world, so we need to do everything possible to help them. That's why the NGO 'Pour le sourire d'un enfant' focuses on fencing to help young people get back on the right path, even after a spell at a correctional centre. Strength and agility, discipline and concentration: fencing calls for unwavering commitment. In Thiès, Senegal, boys and girls are regaining control over their future through physical and mental exercise. With their self-esteem reinforced, nothing can stop them from finding their place in the world.

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© Sarah Waiswa / AFD

Box Girls Kenya

Kenya

In many communities around the world, sexual violence and abuse are a daily threat to young girls. The mission of Box Girls Kenya is to provide young girls with a safe haven. By fostering self-transcendence and resilience, boxing enables these Kenyan girls to regain their self-confidence and feel liberated.

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© Pierre Gony / Terres en Mêlées

Terres En Mêlées

Madagascar

Early marriage means fewer opportunities of gaining an education, a career or establishing your place in society. Many young girls and women in south-west Madagascar are exposed to this risk, as well as to violence. Through rugby, Terres en Mêlées combines personal development and education, offering them the opportunity to take control of their future. Match after match, these women are helping to build a fairer world thanks to their strength and courage.

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© Pexels

TPAA (Tony Parker Adéquat Academy)

Angola

Achieving gender equality is a challenge. But the match is far from over. In Angola, sport is often a privilege reserved for men. To make a real difference, the Tony Parker Adéquat Academy has opened up access to basketball courts to hundreds of women, so that they can thrive, and to provide a boost for women's basketball across society.

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© De Mesquita Soares, Flávio Alex / Gingando Pela Paz RDC

Gingando pela Paz

Democratic Republic of the Congo

How can we ensure that young people remain confident in the future, despite the multitude of difficulties that await them, from economic crises to climate change, and even armed conflict? In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gingando Pela Paz offers a social application of capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian sport and cultural practice. In addition to its physical and mental health benefits, capoeira promotes dialogue and peace.

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© Jean-Baptiste Gobelet / RM Mauritius Academy of Sport

Academy of Sport

Mauritius

Many teenagers around the world feel that patriarchal norms have little regard for their idenity. In Mauritius, the Academy of Sport is offering teenagers a space where they can explore their potential and build their career path, breaking free from conventional norms. Be it swimming, cycling or athletics, sports supplements the educational offer for the new generation.

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© Sylvie Ledard / Serge Betsen Academy

Serge Betsen Academy

Cameroon

What's the point of opening schools if we don't tackle the many causes of drop-out rates among young people? The causes are varied, ranging from unaffordable school fees to early marriage. In Cameroon, 4 out of 10 children drop out before secondary school. That's where the Serge Betsen Academy comes in, to help pupils turn their lives around. Through the practice of rugby and the values it conveys, it encourages young people to not give up, and facilitates their access to educational programs.

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EXPRESS

Sports is a driving force for inclusion and social cohesion. It unites through passion and a sense of team spirit, a taste for challenge and discipline. It allows everyone to play, irrespective of their gender, social or physical condition.

© Tala Niang / AFD
© Nicholas Good / Fresh Air Crew

Zip Zap Circus

South Africa

In South Africa, there can be a number of obstacles to obtaining a good education. Whether it's violence in the street or a lack of resources, many young South Africans aren't able to pursue their educational dreams, as they depend not only on will or talent, but on financial resources. As a result, they often find themselves without prospects of a promising career. Some initiatives however, can provide much-needed self-confidence. Through acrobatic performance, Zip Zap Circus introduces them to an alternative world, in which self-expression, the liberating power of art, sport and belonging to a group help them to fulfill themselves.

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© Nelson Rosier Coulhon / When we were kids

Waves for Change

South Africa

Young people in the townships of South Africa face daily traumatic events, high unemployment and abuse - a negative spiral that often prevents them from projecting themselves. Waves for Change uses the therapeutic virtues of surfing to allow them to escape. On the water, they can focus on themselves, their wellbeing and their needs. And back on land, they become pillars for their community, ready to share positive vibes with their peers.

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© Tala Niang / AFD

Special Olympics

Senegal

Living with a disability is a daily challenge in a society that does little to take disability into account. From health and education, to employment and transportation, every day has its share of challenges to overcome. In Senegal, the Special Olympics' mission is to overcome barriers by giving children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to unite around the same passion: football. They leave isolation and preconceived ideas on the sidelines, and together take their rightful place in society.

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© Tumusiime Richard Apuuli / Watoto Wasoka

Watoto Wasoka

Uganda

It’s hard not to get carried away by the adrenaline and passion of a football match. For many young people, it is an escape and a space to play and interact with each together, where they can grow. In Uganda, the Watoto Wasoka Association creates a place of expression and inclusion in informal settlements to allow young people to enjoy the benefits of football in an environment where they feel safe.

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© Photo Ch. Salomon

Dakar Sacré Cœur

Senegal

In Senegal, it is unusual to see women taking part in the world of sports. The association Dakar Sacré Cœur has opened the doors of local football to allow them to play. More than just a physical exercise, football is a way for them to speak up, to change the perception of male and female roles, both on the pitch and in everyday life.

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© Ismail Zahri - IMAGEXIN

Basketball Experience

Nigeria, Morocco,
Senegal, Kenya

Whether it's a piece of advice or a smile of solidarity, a coach can be an important source of support for young people. In Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal and Kenya, the Basketball Experience program trains and deploys coaches who, through sports activities, provide a platform for thousands of young people, women and people with disabilities. For them, sport allows them to alter their way of life.

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© Fundação Gol de Letra

Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation

Kenya

Pressure on land and resources in East Africa has driven entire communities into conflict. New generations have the opportunity to change course. The Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation uses athletics as an unifying tool: athletes and coaches train their communities in the race towards the same goals of peace and social cohesion.

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© Fundação Gol de Letra

Gol de Letra

Brazil

Whether it's karate, football, capoeira or ju-jitsu, sport in Brazil is closely linked to the country's cultural identity. For many children living in favelas, it brings hope and light in an often difficult daily life. By combining sports and education, the Gol de Letra Foundation uses young people’s passion for football to broaden their horizons. Tournament after tournament, they train and reconnect to a world that seemed to have forgotten them.

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ENGAGE

Sports is about learning to live together. Playing sports means being part of something bigger than yourself. As a forum for exchange and encounters, sports enable us to become more involved and engaged in the lives of others.

© Evrard Ngendakumana / AFD
© Evrard Ngendakumana / AFD

Play International - EJO

Burundi, Senegal,
Liberia, Kosovo

For most young people around the world, quality education remains a privilege to which they have no guaranteed access. To try to reverse these inequalities, the association PLAY International targets young people from vulnerable communities, in countries such as Liberia, Kosovo, Senegal and Burundi. Using sports as a launchpad, they can overcome divisions and overturn clichés. From that point on, nothing is out of reach for young people to write their own stories.

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© Komi Holali Deou / LYSD-Togo

Leading Youth Support & Development (LYSD)

Togo, Côte d'Ivoire

In rural areas, both in Togo and Côte d'Ivoire, young people are often isolated, and face greater challenges in accessing education, particularly as compared to youth in urban areas. However, they still aspire to be part of a community and make a difference. Through basketball, the MiLéDou association (meaning "We are together" in the Togolese Mina language) provides these young people with a space to meet, connect, and build confidence. They become integral members of this community and can fully engage.

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© Kevin Cariou / AFD

TEP Va'a Challenge Concept ARUE

French Polynesia

In French Polynesia, traditional sports are a foundation of local cultural practices. However, even locally, these social drivers remain difficult to access. This is where the TEP Va'a Challenge Concept ARUE comes in. Through the practice of Va'a, it instills a sense of pride and belonging in young people and adults in vulnerable communities.

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© AFD

JOJ Dakar 2026

Senegal

Sports facilities, whether a large official stadium or a neighborhood field, provide an opportunity not only to train, but also to gather, celebrate, and support each other. This is crucial for young people. In Senegal, the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026 project aims to provide sustainable and quality sports infrastructure to Senegalese youth, allowing them to dream bigger.

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© Christine Armitage / SIDOC Foundation

SIDOC Foundation

Colombia

Young Colombians have been deeply affected by the escalation of community violence following the 2021 social unrest in their country, particularly in Cali. For the SIDOC Foundation, football naturally emerged as a tool to rebuild relationships among youth, and reignite their desire to live together in a spirit of mutual respect. For those participating in the programs, football now represents a supportive environment, free from hostility, a meeting place where peace prevails.

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© Djibril Dansokho / Keewu production

Alley-oop Africa – BAL

Senegal, Mali, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Benin

To encourage young women and men to advance gender equality in Africa, the Basketball Africa League (BAL) leverages the power of sports engagement. The Alley Oop mini-series and its "edutainment" program allow them to rise as agents of change, to ultimately have an impact on gender-related discrimination. Standing out, they'll be able to make a lasting impression.

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CREATE

Sports create opportunities and value for individuals and societies. Beyond leisure, it gives us the ambition to innovate, transform and create meaningful projects that generate resources.

© Nicky Lloyd / Getty
© Bastien Laure / Enviedo

Impact 2024 – Paris 2024 x CIO

Multi-country (Africa)

Sports enable us to bring out the best in ourselves. This extends beyond the playing fields, towards a fairer and more sustainable world. In Africa, the "Impact 2024" call for projects has identified sports initiatives capable of boosting sustainable development in societies. In Nairobi, at the heart of Kenya's largest informal settlement, a partnership with the NGO A Human Rainbow and the local football club Kibera Black Stars has transformed a waste-filled area into an educational center, and a sports field into a natural learning environment.

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© Nelson Camara / The Sport en Commun platform

The Sport en Commun platform

Multi-country

Africa has the highest rate of entrepreneurs in the world. Young people want to innovate and create meaningful projects for the collective good. The Sport en Commun platform harnesses their ingenuity by promoting support and funding for development projects through sports. Thanks to this platform, thousands of young people have been able to channel their entrepreneurial ambitions into serving their communities and beyond, by launching resource-generating sports projects.

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© Tuan Nguyen / OFFBB

PARIS 2024 - ATHLETES ENTREPRENEURS INCUBATOR

Multi-country

When an athlete excels in their sport, they do much more than win. They inspire, unite, and mobilize. Many athletes aspire to use this potential to contribute to the economic, social, or environmental development of their countries. The athlete incubator allows numerous athletes in Africa and beyond to turn sports into a source of inspiration, belonging and advancement. Impactful and inspiring, these entrepreneurial projects are real stepping stones that benefit entire communities.

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DOWNLOAD CAMPAIGN ASSETS

You can download the campaign assets below. These tools will allow you to help amplify the campaign messages within your networks and illustrate the many positive impacts of sports on the world.

In French

In English

Contact us

For more information, please contact us via email.

© Kevin Cariou / AFD

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AFD - 2024