MOOC reaches 10,000 learners and counting!

Over 10,000 learners from 201 countries have joined our massive open online course (MOOC) - Sport for Sustainable Development: Designing effective policies and programmes.

Looking to build capacity and boost your skills and knowledge in using sport for development? Join our open access game-changing global course – now available in English, French, Spanish & Arabic!

The course is open access and free of charge and designed to build capacity for individuals and organisations using sport for development (SFD) in their policies and programmes to maximise sport’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other priorities.

The course is developed and managed by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the International Platform on Sport and Development and the Australian Government through Team Up.

New language versions of the course

Responding to a need for more SFD resources in other languages and for underrepresented regions, the course is now in three further United Nations languages: French, Spanish & Arabic.

The launch of these resources in other languages seeks to ensure greater access, inclusion and equity in sport and development and reshape a more diverse and democratic movement where all voices can be heard, including from underrepresented regions, especially the Global South.

Unlimited access for all

The course is now available with unlimited access in all four UN languages. Anyone can join the MOOC without limitations or time restrictions, and all who complete the course will receive a certificate. You can enrol for the unlimited course even if you enrolled or completed it already.

Course background and success

The course is well received by many stakeholders, including policymakers and practitioners, academics and students, athletes and coaches – attracting actors both within and beyond sport. Education institutions, sports bodies and federations, SFD actors and mainstream development players have all used the course to strengthen their work.

Stakeholder testimonials

Learner feedback has been exceptionally positive as illustrated below:

- 97% of learners said the course met or exceeded their expectations
- 98% of learners said they gained new knowledge or skills
- 91% of learners said that they were satisfied with the course

- 79% of learners said that they have shared learnings with others
- 73% of learners have applied the course in their day-to-day work

What do the learners say? View reviews of the course

Hybrid MOOC launched in Africa to great success

sportanddev and the Commonwealth partnered with the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) to deliver the first hybrid MOOC in Africa. 42 senior government officials from 17 countries received dedicated online workshops facilitated by experts, alongside the regular 8-week course.

An in-person workshop at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa in June 2024 convened officials to network, share learnings and strengthen their capacity to maximise SFD in their countries. Feedback from officials indicated the hybrid MOOC was a great success (see video).

About the partners

The International Platform on Sport and Development

The International Platform on Sport and Development (sportanddev) is the leading hub for the global sport and development community to share knowledge, build good practice, communicate with others, and create partnerships. It is an online resource and networking tool that offers online courses designed to share and advance knowledge on how to be best use sports as a tool for peace and development.

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

The Australian Government supports sport for development and sports diplomacy programs that strengthen international connections, build safer communities, and facilitate participation of women, girls, and people with disability. For more information about Team Up, the Australian Government’s flagship sport for development investment visit https://www.teamup.gov.au

Commonwealth Secretariat

The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries to achieve development, democracy, and peace. The Secretariat’s work helps to grow economies and boost trade, empower young people, and address threats such as climate change, debt and inequality. For more information about the Commonwealth Secretariat visit http://www.thecommonwealth.org

The course is hosted on FutureLearn's online learning platform which reaches 20 million global learners. sportanddev have a multi-year partnership with FutureLearn to host and operate our MOOC.
The Arabic course and website are part of a partnership between sportanddev and the Qatar Fund for Development to strengthen sport and development in the Middle East & North Africa.
The French and Spanish courses and the upgrade of the sportanddev website (including the functionality for multiple languages) have been supported by the Swedish Postcode Foundation
The translation of course content was in partnership with Translators Without Borders
The University of Edinburgh and Woodgate Consulting supported development of the course
An Expert Reference Group reviewed the course and remains in place for advisory support

The MOOC presents partnership opportunities with significant benefits. For more information contact sportanddev Executive Director: Dr Ben Farai Sanders: [email protected]

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