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Sport, a theme being developed in the agency
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Sport is much more than just a physical activity. It embodies universal values and acts as a powerful driver for sustainable development. It is also an economic sector which, to realise its full potential, requires strengthening its human, financial and institutional framework. Just a few days ahead of the Paris Olympic Games, Expertise France reviews its latest news in the sector in this article.
Since 2023, Expertise France has strengthened its position in the sports sector and is gradually developing multidisciplinary operations, aligned with France’s policy priorities, in particular for the transformation agenda.
Expertise France is thus taking action to strengthen institutions in partner countries, and support the transformation of organisations and skills development for their officers and sports stakeholders. To this end, it mobilises French, European and international public and private technical expertise.
The agency, which had been implementing the “Basketball Experience” project since 2019 in partnership with the NBA (AFD financing), officially launched a project in June to increase sports activities among young people and women in the DRC. It is also preparing to develop its action on sport in the Western Balkans.
In the DRC, AFD Group is committed to sport for young women through “Pour Elles”
Launched on 7 June on one of the fields set to be renovated and turned into a community multisports ground with a cultural space in the municipality of Bandalungwa in Kinshasa, the “Pour Elles: Sport and Culture” project aims to promote young women in the sports and culture sectors by providing access to leisure and professional activities. Financed by AFD, it is implemented by Expertise France for a period of four years, in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and Leisure, the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, and the Ministry of Gender, Family and Children.
It aims to:
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Rehabilitate inclusive community sports fields in four municipalities of Kinshasa and a field for shared team sports, including rugby for and by girls and women
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Renovate creative spaces for young women at the Academy of Arts, as well as works displayed in public spaces with the Liyolo Foundation and the National Museum
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Assist capacity building for stakeholders in the ecosystem of community fields and the rehabilitated buildings to support activities that promote the participation of girls
Along the lines of this project, AFD has announced the signing of a project to create a National Sports Institute. Expertise France will be responsible for the implementation of this project conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and Leisure.
Basketball Experience: positive results and a launch in two new countries
Launched in 2019, the “Basketball Experience – One Court, Our Future” programme is part of the “Sport and Development” partnership signed between AFD and the NBA. It aims to develop the use of sport as a vehicle for education and awareness-raising among young people.
In Morocco and Nigeria, Basketball Experience has benefited almost 68,000 young people, girls and boys alike. 120 schools have been involved, 403 teachers trained, and 56 coaches trained. The mid-term evaluation of the programme demonstrates its positive impact and shows that it has been well received by educational stakeholders. The programme will now be adapted in two new countries, Kenya and Senegal.
New avenues for development
With financing from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Expertise France will soon be implementing a project to reconcile memories in the Western Balkans. The objective is to use sport as a tool for reconciliation, and thereby contribute to turning these countries, especially the young generations, towards a common future.
In addition to the sport component handled by Expertise France, this programme will comprise three other components: Restoration and Development of Heritage and Places of Remembrance (ALDA and the 90s Museum), Countering Disinformation and Nationalist Rhetoric (CFI), Regional and European Dialogue (Institut Français).
An MoU will also be signed between AFD Group and GIZ on 12 July. This agreement aims to use sport as an interdisciplinary tool in development cooperation through various initiatives and sectors. The focus will be on the promotion of gender equality, the development of human capital, and social cohesion. The objectives will include organising capacity building activities, co-investment and joint programming, as well as advocacy for changes in policy and awareness-raising on the importance of sport for development.
A theme at the intersection of sustainable development issues
Sports are an excellent illustration of the close links between humans and nature.
Sporting events provide opportunities for sporting and conservation communities to work together on issues related to sustainability and biodiversity conservation, at both the local and global level. Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework – EU Support, implemented by Expertise France and financed by the European Union, has published an article, which takes a look at this link between Sports & Nature. It has been produced with support from the IUCN Sports for Nature initiative, Play for Nature, and a contribution from the Fair Play for Planet label.
This reflection, which takes full account of the environmental damage potentially caused by sports activities and the sporting events organised in stadiums and other major facilities, invites us to rethink the impact of sports on ecosystems by capitalising on the mobilisation of sportspeople and the public, in particular young people, and greening projects for major sporting competitions.
Sports also convey values consistent with respect for the environment, personal achievement, and more inclusive development.
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