IDS: The UK Sport Charity

“I have learnt a lot of leadership skills through sport. I can stand up in front of people and express myself. I can even teach different people, different age groups. I have confidence now and am able to organise.” Florence Mwila, peer coach, Zambia.
Photo/UK Sport

International Development through Sport (IDS), UK Sport’s Charity, harnesses the power of sport to transform the lives of some of the world’s poorest children by giving them the chance to play sport, develop their skills and confidence and live healthier, happier and safer lives.

The positive impact of sport is increasingly acknowledged in the fields of education, health, equity, youth development and peace. Across the world, sport is being used in new ways to reach out to some of the most vulnerable children and communities.

While sport is not a panacea for tackling disease, war and poverty, it is an important part of the solution. We know that sport can help rebuild communities scarred by conflict and natural disasters. It can divert children and young people from distressing aspects of life, helping build their confidence, skills and self esteem and raising their aspirations to become the young leaders of tomorrow. Sport is a proven effective medium for education and can instil positive skills and attitudes.

IDS is the charitable trust of UK Sport. While UK Sport supports the administration of the charity, IDS is an independent UK-registered charity that receives money from private individuals, trusts and corporations to support sports projects in developing countries. IDS has its own trustees and the funds received by the trust go directly to partner grass roots organisations in country.

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIPS

We work through local grass roots partner organisations to implement projects. Working locally means that we build sustainable and robust programmes that are delivered by organisations that have knowledge of local conditions, have local legitimacy and represent the interests of local communities. These local partners oversee the direct day-to-day management of projects. In return we offer financial support and assistance with project planning and monitoring and organisational development.

We are committed to supporting our partners in the development of relevant monitoring and evaluation tools to measure the impact of their programmes. We also create and foster a team spirit across national borders. New ideas, learning and resources are shared amongst our partners so that children and young people everywhere gain the benefits of best practice.

MAIN PROGRAMME AREAS

We work with local partners that deliver sports programmes to engage young people in the following areas:

Life skills, youth development, leadership education
Equity (gender and disability)
HIV/AIDS education and awareness
Conflict resolution
Disaster and trauma relief and rehabilitation

EXAMPLES OF IDS PROGRAMMES

Go Sisters Programme, Zambia – trains girls as leaders in sport and education to ensure young, vulnerable girls of Zambia are given the opportunity to participate in physical activity, build self-confidence and get educated on health issues.
Community Regeneration through Sports, Cameroon – develops and strengthens the skills and knowledge of community sports volunteers and young leaders in Cameroon to enable them to engage in community regeneration activities through sport.
Community Action through Sports, Nigera - focuses on building the capacity of children and youth to take up leadership roles and play active roles in society with confidence. The project trains young peer leaders who will in turn cascade their skills and knowledge to younger children in and out of school by organising and leading football programmes and educational activities.

SUPPORTING IDS

We are a growing charity with big dreams. We need your support to help us transform thousands of young lives, giving them the chance of leading healthy and active lives free of stigma, fear and discrimination.

There are many ways in which you can get involved – by making a donation or nominating IDS as your company’s Charity of the Year, to name but a few. Visit the 'Supporting IDS' page to find out more.