SESLA welcomes 2026-27 cohort of organisations driving youth education and employability across Africa

Through the Sport for Education and Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa (SESLA) initiative, funding partners International Olympic Committee (IOC), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Laureus Sport for Good, and Comic Relief are pleased to welcome a new cohort of 23 organisations across Africa that will receive support to expand the use of sport as a tool for education, employability, and economic empowerment.

The organisations received either seed grants to build programming that uses sport to enhance the education and employability of its young people through innovative approaches or collaborations, or scale grants to further strengthen existing programming.

In addition to grant funding, the selected organisations will receive support in tailored capacity-building, technical assistance, and peer learning opportunities to implement and strengthen sport-based programmes. Such programming will equip young people with transferable skills, connect them to education and employability opportunities, and help them build more sustainable futures for themselves and their communities.

This latest cohort was identified through a competitive process that assessed their experience, financial suitability, methodology, and commitment to safeguarding and inclusion. Together, they represent a diverse network of community-based organisations working in different contexts across Africa, but united by a shared belief in the role of sports to create positive education and livelihood outcomes.

Read the full story on Laureus Sport for Good's website.