This document provides an overview of a project aimed at identifying best practices for sport for development (S4D) organizations to improve outcomes for children. The research team conducted in-depth case studies of 10 S4D organizations across different regions and program types. By drawing on literature reviews and interviews, the project seeks to determine practices that lead to positive impacts, especially for vulnerable children, in areas like program design, implementation, scaling, and sustainability. The overall goal is to develop an evidence-based guiding framework to help S4D organizations strengthen their work in empowering children through sport.

1. PROJECT BRIEF
Sport
for Development
What are the best practices
that Sport for Development
organizations should follow
to ensure the best outcomes
for children?
©
UNICEF/UNI366272/Sibiloni

2. Overview
Around the world, sport, recreation and play are
improving the health and well-being of children
and youth. Sport for development (S4D)
organizations harness the power of sport to help
children improve their health; to develop their
social, educational and leadership skills; to
empower them; and, of course, to play and have
fun. S4D protects children’s right to play while
contributing toward Social Development Goals.
Approach
The research team has produced ten in-depth,
qualitative case studies across a range of S4D
organizations operating in different regions and
with distinct goals, designs and focus areas.To
identify best practices, the research draws on a
comprehensive global literature review on S4D
and dozens of semi-structured interviews and
focus group discussions.
The research presents actionable evidence for the
design and implementation of S4D programmes,
raising the prominence of S4D as a legitimate
means of developing the potential of children and
youth.
Goal
This project aims to identify best practices in
various stages of the S4D programming cycle
– from design to implementation to scaling and
sustainability – and illuminate key mechanisms
that lead to positive outcomes especially for
vulnerable and marginalized children.
Project Highlights
Guiding framework for S4D
This project is part of a broader
partnership between UNICEF
, the
Barcelona Football Club (FC Barcelona)
and the Barça Foundation that focuses
on improving children’s lives through
sport, play and protection.The first
phase of the project culminated with the
publication of the report Getting into the
Game – the first global literature review
on S4D.The project is currently in its
second phase, focusing on developing a
guiding framework for S4D programming
through in-depth case studies of leading
S4D organizations around the world.
Future work will focus on the validation
of this framework and its application to
new or existing programmes.
PROJECT BRIEF
Contact Info
Despina Karamperidou
Education Research Specialist
dkaramperidou@unicef.org
Matt Brossard
Chief, Education
mbrossard@unicef.org
Chiara Pasquini
Consultant
cpasquini@unicef.org