As the number of forcibly displaced persons passes 120 million and deep funding cuts strain the humanitarian aid system, the prospects for building better futures for refugees are worsening. In this time of weakening global support, engaging non-traditional actors has never been more critical, and the sports community stands ready to play a vital role.
Sport has the potential to break down cultural barriers, improve physical and mental well-being, and create opportunities for more cohesive societies. Yet, despite this demonstrated potential, the role of sport in humanitarian responses continues to be overlooked and undervalued. As the members of the Sport for Refugees Coalition, we call for greater recognition and action to use sport in the protection and inclusion of people who have been forced to flee their homes.
Established at the Global Refugee Forum in 2019, our Coalition has grown to more than 170 members representing the full spectrum of actors across the sports ecosystem, including governing bodies, member states, international organisations, civil society organisations and private companies – all united by a collective recognition of sport as a vital instrument in addressing many challenges resulting from displacement.
Since the Global Refugee Forum in 2023, more than 529,000 people affected by displacement have accessed sport- and play-based programmes in over 92 countries through our collective efforts. Over 11,000 coaches have been trained to deliver safe and inclusive sports activities, with over 160 sport spaces created or refurbished to improve access to safe sport. But we still face critical challenges that limit our collective impact.
Our Call to Action
Ahead of the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review, we call on all governments, humanitarian organisations, donors and sports bodies to:
- Recognise the role of sport in contexts of displacement and pledge your commitment. Acknowledge the power of sport and play-based initiatives, and invest in sport as a key tool for inclusion and resilience.
- Incorporate sport across all pledging areas. Sport can advance shared goals, from mental health and education to peaceful coexistence and digital integrity. Promote collaboration across multi-stakeholder pledges to drive collective impact.
- Support meaningful participation of refugee-led and locally led organisations in sport. Create inclusive pathways that recognise and strengthen the meaningful participation and leadership of people affected by displacement, ensuring the relevance of the solutions and fostering dignity and self-reliance among displaced populations.
- Expand geographic diversity and amplify Low- and Middle-Income Countries’ leadership. Support and spotlight sport-based initiatives led from the regions most affected by displacement.
- Strengthen local and national partnerships. Collaborate across sectors – particularly Ministries of Sport, Health, Education and Youth – to embed sport into refugee responses.
Looking Ahead
As we move toward the Global Refugee Forum 2027, we urge Member States and individual pledging entities to embed sport in national and local refugee response frameworks. Let us work together to ensure that sport is part of a coordinated and equitable response to displacement. We must ensure that sport is no longer treated as a “nice-to-have”, but as a strategic priority and an accessible mechanism for the protection and inclusion of every person forced to flee.
More information - CLICK HERE