International Inspiration

Using the power of sport, it is transforming the lives of children and young people across the world, particularly in developing countries. 

The programme aims to reach 12 million children in 20 countries by 2012, with projects already underway in eight countries.

International Inspiration has received the formal support of the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee as a core strand of the London 2012 International Education Programme.

See International Inspiration activity in Brazil and the launch in India 2008 featured in our 'Three years left and counting' video

Read thoughts from some of the International Inspiration participants, following a visit to the UK in September 2009.

Annual Report 2008-09

International Inspiration has published its Annual Report for 2008-09, charting the impact of the programme across the five countries involved in the first phase of the programme (Azerbaijan, Brazil, India, Palau and Zambia).

In addition the publication outlines progress in three countries where the programme has started in 2008-09 (Bangladesh, Jordan and Mozambique) and also reports on activities that have taken place in the UK.
 
The successes highlighted in this year’s report include:

• The development of two major national strategies for sport for young people in Azerbaijan.
• More than 400,000 children and young people reached through sport and citizenship activities in Brazil.
• The Indian Government is using models developed by International Inspiration as the basis for a nationwide community sport programme for children and young people.
• The implementation of the first ever primary age after-school competitions in Palau.
• More than 45,000 children in schools and communities in Zambia reached through community-led sport activities.
• 51 schools in the UK now linked with 51 schools across the participating countries, sharing knowledge on how to improve outcomes for children and young people through sport.

Access the full report (pdf, 1.87MB).

Delivering the programme

Delivery is led by UK Sport, in partnership with the British Council and UNICEF. The Government Olympic Executive, part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), the British Olympic Association and the British Paralympic Association are central to the programme. The Department for International Development (DFID) is also a key partner providing funding and other support. The Premier League has also provided funding.

Delivery in each country is supported by UK expertise from the Youth Sport Trust and by local implementing partners and the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee in each country.

Learn more about the programme