Announcing Our Inaugural Sport Together Fund Grantees
April 6, 2023
Today, the world celebrates the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), recognizing the positive role that sport and physical activity are playing in communities and in people’s lives across the globe. In honor of the day, we are thrilled to introduce the inaugural Sport Together Fund delivered by Beyond Sport grantees.
With an initial focus on fostering “Leadership Together,” the seven recipients are promoting well-being, inclusivity and hope through sports-based leadership training opportunities for refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable communities.
"In times of heightened instability, like the evolving refugee crisis, it’s important to Beyond Sport to be able to meet the needs of organizations who are assisting affected communities where they are -- being flexible in our approach and adapting to their individual situations," said Fred Turner, Executive Director of Beyond Sport. "We always seek to be intentional with our grants, guided by research and community experts, to best serve those who are serving others. When NGOs have the space to take a needs-based approach, supported by flexible but purposeful funding, the impact is immeasurably stronger."
SCORING FOR PEOPLE AND THE PLANET
Around the world, more than 108 milion people have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, violence, human rights violations, climate disasters and persecution. As one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian crises, Beyond Sport launched the Sport Together Fund in 2022 to provide grants and capacity-building support to non-profits, sports clubs and collectives that are stepping up to the challenge when the communities they serve face conflict, harm or insecurity.
Guided by an Expert Advisory Group of activists, practitioners, athletes, researchers and individuals with lived refugee experiences, the Fund directly supports initiatives using sport to tangibly improve the lives of people experiencing displacement and resettlement. It also supports the transit and host communities where people are rebuilding their lives.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 GRANTEES! READ ON TO LEARN HOW THEY ARE USING SPORT TO HELP REBUILD COMMUNITY IN TIMES OF CRISIS.
LEARN HOW ASSOCIACIÓ ESPORTIVA RAMASSÀ IS CREATING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR REFUGEES IN BARCELONA
WATCH BELOW: A.E. Ramassa's Julitza speaks on the importance of employment inclusion for refugees and asylum seekers, the difficulties of adjusting to a new country + more! Manager of the International Cooperation & Social Area, Marc Larripa also shares the organization’s training opportunities.
LEARN HOW BLOOMSBURY FOOTBALL FOUNDATION IS USING SPORT TO SUPPORT VULNERABLE YOUTH IN LONDON
WATCH BELOW: Bloomsbury Football's Ben speaks on coaching youth from disadvantaged and vulnerable backgrounds, the power of football to unite, the importance of creating safe spaces and his message to the world for World Refugee Day.
LEARN HOW THE GIRL POWER ORGANISATION IS HELPING TO DEVELOP AND EMPOWER DIVERSE WOMEN
WATCH BELOW: Girl Power's Narges and Habiba speak on fleeing Afghanistan, empowering women and girls, the importance of leadership and share a message to the world for World Refugee Day.
LEARN HOW LEAGUE OF TOLERANCE IS HELPING TO INTEGRATE UKRAINIAN REFUGEES IN SWEDEN
WATCH BELOW: League of Tolerance's Klas speaks on sports' ability - and in particular PANNA football - to unite, the importance of creating safe spaces, plans to expand programming and impact in Osthammar, Sweden and his message to the world for World Refugee Day.
LEARN HOW SAFE-HUB BERLIN IS CREATING INCLUSIVE SPACES FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS THROUGH SPORT AND EDUCATION
WATCH BELOW: Safe-Hub Berlin's Aaron speaks on mentoring and coaching local youth, the changing landscape in Berlin following the 'refugee crisis', the importance of helping others and his message to the world for World Refugee Day.
LEARN HOW TE AUD ROMANIA IS BREAKING CYCLES OF DISADVANTAGE FOR YOUTH THROUGH SPORT AND EDUCATION
WATCH BELOW: Te Aud Romania's Andrei speaks on the important role of coaches and how they can support refugee youth to look at life positively, seeing sports power for social impact and his message to the world for World Refugee Day.
LEARN HOW YOGA AND SPORT WITH REFUGEES IS HELPING REFUGEE COACHES SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITIES
WATCH BELOW: Yoga and Sport with Refugees' Yadullah and Mohammed speak on the emotional journey refugees experience, the power of sport to build hope and improve wellbeing, the empowering nature of leadership for refugees and their powerful message to the world for World Refugee Day.
As we amplify sport’s power to promote development, peace and human rights today, we hope our Sport Together Fund grantees' work and dedication to inclusion will inspire you. This month we will be sharing more about the Fund and insights from our Expert Advisory Group. Make sure you’re signed up to our weekly global bulletin, so you don’t miss out!
BEYOND SPORT THANKS THE FOLLOWING SPORT TOGETHER FUND PARTNERS FOR THEIR COMMITTMENT AND SUPPORT
Octagon UK, Cake Group, John Gleasure, inCrowd Sports, The Space Between, The FA, Nimble Productions, Verve Live Agency, Sport Industry Group and UNHCR. 
For more information, please contact [email protected].