The Sport for Peace and Safer Communities Initiative has officially opened its 2026 Call for Participation, inviting organizations from Colombia, El Salvador, and Guatemala to join a structured Learning Community focused on Sport for Development (S4D). This initiative, implemented through a collaboration between the International Olympic Committee, the adidas Foundation, and GIZ, aims to strengthen social cohesion, prevent violence, and promote community peace through the power of sport.

The deadline to submit applications is March 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM (Colombia time).

Building Peace Through Sport for Peace and Safer Communities Initiative

The Learning Community (CoL) provides a platform for organizations to deepen their capacity to integrate Sport for Development and Peace approaches into their programs and organizational strategies. By connecting organizations with varying levels of experience in S4D, peacebuilding, and community development, the CoL promotes peer learning, technical accompaniment, and the exchange of knowledge.

Participants will receive structured guidance, capacity-building workshops, and opportunities to co-design pilot initiatives. These pilots aim to demonstrate how sport can be used to strengthen social bonds, reduce violence, and support transformation in communities affected by conflict.

How the Learning Community Works

The CoL is divided into two major phases:

Phase 1: Call and Selection (February–March 2026)

Organizations with experience in S4D, peacebuilding, or violence prevention may apply. Key milestones include:

February 23, 2026: Official launch of the call
March 2, 2026: Virtual information session
March 16, 2026: Final deadline for submissions
April 6, 2026: Announcement of selected organizations

A committee composed of representatives from the International Olympic Committee, the adidas Foundation, GIZ, and independent experts will evaluate applications based on technical, administrative, and financial criteria.

Phase 2: Pairing, Design, and Implementation (April 2026–December 2027)

Selected organizations will participate in matchmaking to form pairs. Together, they will design and implement pilot projects grounded in S4D. Major commitments include:

April 27–30, 2026: Mandatory in-person workshop for pairing and project co-creation
April 29–May 19, 2026: Joint proposal design
May 20, 2026: Submission deadline for technical and financial proposals
August/September 2026–September 2027: Pilot implementation

Each pilot initiative may receive up to EUR 60,000, depending on the quality and feasibility of the proposed concept.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible organizations include:

Civil society organizations
International NGOs
Academic institutions
Sports clubs
Foundations
Non-profit organizations

Applicants must be legally registered in Colombia, El Salvador, or Guatemala and demonstrate the administrative and financial capacity to manage funds. Experience in S4D, peacebuilding, or community-level interventions will strengthen the application.

What the Initiative Prioritizes

Proposed initiatives should focus on one or more of the following themes:

Social cohesion: strengthening trust, belonging, inclusion, and community participation
Violence prevention: reducing risk factors for youth recruitment, substance abuse, or conflict
Peacebuilding: promoting dialogue, community governance, reconciliation, and resilience

Projects should demonstrate strong technical design, gender and inclusion considerations, community participation mechanisms, and a clear Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL) framework.

Expected Impact

Through this Learning Community, organizations will gain:

Increased capacity in S4D methodologies
Stronger local and regional partnerships
Evidence-based insights for scaling community sports programs
Tools to support safer, more cohesive communities

The initiative ultimately aims to transform sport into a vehicle for peace, resilience, and sustainable community development.

Submit Your Application by March 16, 2026

Organizations interested in contributing to safer, more inclusive communities through sport are encouraged to apply before the March 16, 2026 deadline. Participation offers a rare opportunity to access technical guidance, build partnerships, and implement transformative pilot projects across Latin America.

Application can be accessed from here.

To know more about such opportunities, click here.

Call for Participation 2026: Sport for Peace and Safer Communities Learning Community

Job Description