Empowering change: Launch of the Global S4D Community Platform

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Global Sport for Development (S4D) Community Platform, a groundbreaking initiative designed to connect, educate, and empower S4D practitioners across the globe. This platform represents a significant leap forward in leveraging sport as a powerful tool for social change and development.

A Decade of Impact and the Next Chapter

Sport inspires and connects people all over the world - regardless of language, gender or religion. At GIZ, our global sport for development (S4D) programme aims to enable and facilitate international, regional and national actors to leverage sport to support marginalised youth in measures that promote employment, gender equality and social cohesion. 

Since the inception of our first S4D sector project in 2012, GIZ has been at the forefront of using sport to support marginalized youth worldwide. With over 9,400 trainers and 800 instructors trained in 43 countries, our efforts have reached over 1.3 million children and youth in more than 50 countries. Our comprehensive digital toolkit at www.sport-for-development.com has served as a gateway for practitioners to access resources, guidelines, and tools for implementing S4D projects.

Building on this legacy, the Global S4D Community Platform aims to facilitate connectivity and capacity building among S4D practitioners from around the world, creating a global community that encourages active engagement and peer-to-peer learning.

What is the Global S4D Community?

The Global S4D Community is a new open membership offer for practitioners and partners that combines an online community- purpose built by our partners at HumHub - and a variety of learning, knowledge exchange activities and tailored events. The Community is free to access, and welcomes practitioners of all backgrounds, ranging from seasoned S4D trainers, instructors, and multipliers to enthusiastic newcomers who share an unwavering commitment to drive positive change through sports.

The Global S4D Community, which launched in beta format in 2023, is now live for everyone to join. You can register here: https://community.sport-for-development.com

Who is involved in the project?

The success of the Global S4D Community is a direct result of dedication and collaborative efforts of partners who share our commitment to lifelong learning and peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing.

At the core of our platform's technical aspect, lies 'HumHub,' ensuring seamless connectivity and user-friendly interactions for an efficient and smooth experience.

Furthermore, our community management team, comprising expert organizations in the Sport for Development sector led by Yunus Sports Hub, supported by Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, Laureus Germany, and Oaks Consultancy Ltd., plays a pivotal role in nurturing a supportive environment for S4D practitioners worldwide. Their efforts will creat an atmosphere of cooperation and collective growth, encouraging practitioners to collaborate, share insights, and learn from one another.

What to Expect as a Community Member

As a member of the Global S4D Community, you will gain access to a wealth of resources and opportunities. Our platform offers web-based training courses, workshops, e-learning material, and interactive modules. The content is designed to be engaging, interactive, and relevant, ensuring that you receive the most comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge in the field of Sport for Development.

Renowned experts will share their knowledge and experiences, from webinars by accomplished trainers to engaging panel discussions with S4D practitioners from diverse backgrounds. You'll have the opportunity to engage with the best minds in the industry. Through real-world case studies, you'll explore successful S4D projects from around the globe, gaining valuable insights into what works and what doesn't.

How can you get involved?

Getting involved in the Global S4D Community is straightforward. All S4D practitioners, from newcomers to experienced professionals are welcome to join our transformative platform. Visit community.sport-for-development.com to sign up. Let's empower, connect, and engage for a better world through sport.

About GIZ

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Global Sport for Development (S4D) Community Platform, a groundbreaking initiative designed to connect, educate, and empower S4D practitioners across the globe. This platform represents a significant leap forward in leveraging sport as a powerful tool for social change and development.