Sport and Development cooperation

PSO views sport as a potential tool for social development in developing countries. Not only does it contribute to the general welfare of humans, it is also a suitable tool for accessing particular target groups such as, for example, the handicapped, young people and women for specific development goals.

In order to be able to effectively use sport as a tool for development, it is essential to reinforce the civil society in this area. 2007 was the final year that PSO coordinated the Sport and Capacity Building funding programme in cooperation with and co-financed by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.

Developments

The approach is different from 2008 onwards. The new approach is based on the current interdepartmental policy of the Ministries of Health, Welfare and Sport and Foreign Affairs and specifically targets the improvement of the quality of the sport and development cooperation activities, combating the atomisation of activities and enabling more cooperation between Dutch actors from the sports and development cooperation sector in order to improve links with local programmes by PSO members and their partners.

Organisation

In close cooperation with PSO, NOC*NSF [the Dutch Olympic committee] a plan of action and a multi-year programme 'Sport & Ontwikkelingssamenwerking - de inzet van Nederlandse organisaties (2008-2011)' [Sport and Development cooperation - the use of Dutch organisations (2008-2011) was drawn up.

The programme is managed by the NOC*NSF. PSO has been appointed as an advisor. In 2008 and 2009, targeted country programmes and/or frameworks will be formulated for 13 countries.

These countries are Senegal, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Mozambique, Guatemala, Bhutan, Zambia, Kenia, Surinam, Indonesia, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan or Congo. The programmes all pertain to the use of sport for social development.

The programmes will be developed in close cooperation with interested local and Dutch actors. PSO has a limited fund available for the participation of PSO members.