Best of both worlds: SDP in the Global South

For the past few years, Pro Sport Development’s (PSD) programmes in India, working with underprivileged and marginalised youth, have been led by a multi-cultural and diverse team. PSD’s teams have had individuals from both the global South and North, as well as individuals with experience in both settings. PSD has used this blend of diversity to utilise the best practices from both the south and north, to have a larger and more sustained impact on the beneficiaries we work with.

The biggest strength of the global North that PSD has utilised is that of programme development. Interns, volunteers and employees from the global North have assisted PSD in the development of various programmes, including physical education, after-school and community sports programmes. Moreover, they have assisted in the preparation of training the trainer programmes and materials, for the development of various coaches and trainers. This has led to the development of high quality programmes, for both the youth as well as the coaches, and helped develop trained coaches, lending sustainability to our projects. In particular, the sports component of the programmes have benefitted from the knowledge and experience in the global North of developing age-appropriate, goal-oriented and scientific programmes, something greatly missing in the global South.

PSD’s human resources from the global South have included individuals from the local rural and semi-urban areas that we have worked in, as well as individuals with exposure to sport and development in both the global North and South. The local talent understands the needs of the youth and the communities that we work with, and have implemented the well-developed programmes in a manner that is most effective, thus increasing their impact. The individuals with experience in both the worlds have been instrumental in bridging the gap between staff members from the North and South. Furthermore, they have oriented those from the North to help them adapt quickly to their unfamiliar settings, allowing them to give the most from their time with the programmes.

This mix of cultures and ideas has greatly improved the impact of our programmes, and provided plenty of learning opportunities for individuals from both sides. Those from the global South now have a better understanding of the areas wherein they need assistance and can work towards improving the same. Those from the global North have now seen the reality on the ground and better understand how to effectively develop programmes that are localised to increase impact and train community coaches to implement the same.

[This article has been edited by the Operating Team]