The Olympic Refuge Foundation and the Mayors Migration Council select five cities to deliver sport for social inclusion

The announcement was made at the 2026 Urban 20 (U20) Mayors Summit in New York City. Convened by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the summit brought together mayors from around the world to address shared priorities including housing affordability, climate change, and human mobility.

Selected through a competitive process from 12 candidates, each city will receive up to USD 500,000 over two years, alongside tailored technical support from the MMC, to design and implement local projects that use sport and physical activity. It's all part of the ORF's strategic priority to focus on cities and municipalities. The initiate builds on the ORF Think Tank's recently released policy plan that outlines practical guidance for how cities can leverage sport to improve existing settlement and inclusion practices. 

The initiative comes as cities play an increasingly important role in supporting displaced people, nearly 80 per cent of whom live in urban areas. Cities can offer newly arrived people opportunities for inclusion, but too often migrants and refugees experience isolation and discrimination, hindering their inclusion as well as their physical and mental health. The grants are aimed at supporting cities that have been receiving and welcoming migrants and refugees over many years to leverage the power of sport for sustained social inclusion and belonging.

Fatimetou Abdel Malick, President of the Nouakchott Region, Mauritania, said: “Nouakchott will invest in new sports and community infrastructure that will serve the neighbourhood for years to come, creating a place for physical activity and vocational training, and stronger connections among the people who call Sebkha home.”

The Global Cities Fund for Migrants and Refugees will support a total of ten cities with this round of granting, for initiatives helping migrants and refugees find jobs and start businesses and navigate growing climate pressures, and using sport to strengthen health and community connections. 

“Cities that include migrants and refugees are stronger, safer, and more prepared for the future,” said Vittoria Zanuso, Executive Director of the Mayors Migration Council. “This year’s grants give mayors the tools and resources to put that ambition into action, through good jobs, climate resilience, and stronger connections between newcomers and the places they call home.”

Visit Olympic Refuge Foundation to find out more about how the five sport-focused cities plan to use their grants.