Sport for change

Sport for Change is an integral part of Comic Relief’s overall Sport Relief strategy. We want to support organisations to use sports in a variety of ways to help achieve positive change in the lives of poor and disadvantaged children and young people.

We also acknowledge that, being a young field, there is a great amount of learning and development required within the sector. Because of this, we believe that we can add value as an experienced and knowledgeable grant maker by working with a range of ‘sport-for-development’ and ‘development’ partners, bridging the gap between the two sectors, investing in learning and ultimately increasing the quality and effectiveness of sport-based development programmes.

Aim of the programme

Our goal is to enable organisations to use sport effectively as a tool for bringing about a lasting positive change in the lives of children and young people.

Comic Relief believes that it is not ‘sport’ itself that brings about change, instead it is the set of processes and relationships used to deliver and support the sporting intervention that are fundamental to achieving development goals. We will therefore support organisations that are using sport as part of a wider programme of development that focuses on long-term solutions.

The focus of the Sport for Change programme is children and young people, linking directly with target groups across the six existing Comic Relief programme areas, in particular, those affected by conflict, street and working children, women and girls and people affected by HIV.

We will also encourage applications that aim to work with the hardest to reach and marginalised groups, such as girls and disabled children and young people.

Outcomes

Your work will need to deliver one or more of the following outcomes:

• Children and young people have increased self-efficacy, resulting in the desire, willingness and ability to make the best personal life choices, take advantage of education and other opportunities, and participate in decision making processes that affect their lives
• Children and young people’s uptake of services (particularly health and education services) is increased, resulting in improved health and educational attainment
• Marginalised groups experience a measurable reduction in stigma and discrimination, resulting in increased understanding and their inclusion into family and community life
• Children and young people employ and experience less violent behaviour, leading to safer environments for themselves, their families and their communities
• Organisations use sport more effectively in their work and are measurably more effective in demonstrating lasting positive changes in the lives of vulnerable children and young people

Other important information

The Sport for Change Strategy will have a strong focus on Africa and Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Guatemala, Honduras) but will also fund projects in the Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka).

Project grants ­– These may be up to £300,000 over three years. Organisations are strongly advised to submit applications that are proportionate to their size and capacity, the size and capacity of their local partners, and their track record to date.

Tactical Planning grants ­– These may be up to £25,000 for up to 12 months for action research, baseline studies, needs analysis, piloting work, disseminating learning and related work that will enable applicant organisations to develop a well thought through proposal. Please contact Comic Relief if you are interested in applying for this type of grant.

Download the full Sport for Change programme strategy document