Global survey launched to identify the priority training needs in Sport for Development

The SKILLS4CHANGE project has launched a global online survey to identify the priority training needs of people working in Sport for Development, a rapidly growing field which uses the power of sport to deliver positive change for disadvantaged individuals, families and communities, with benefits for society as a whole.

The survey findings will help the SKILLS4CHANGE partners develop freely available, online, multi-lingual training courses on a global platform which will target the real training priorities of this increasingly important field. Ultimately, this will improve practice and lead to better outcomes for those who really need change in their lives.

The survey invites contributions from Sport for Development organisations and practitioners, and from people in the wider sport movement who would like to join the Sport for Development revolution.

• Format: Online and fully anonymous
• Duration: Maximum 15 minutes
• Languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Dutch and Portuguese.
• Deadline: 12 June 2026

Share the link to the survey on Sport for Development Training Needs: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/skills4change

(Options for alternative languages available on drop-down menu, top right corner of screen)

Why the SKILLS4CHANGE Survey is Important

Sport for Development (sometimes known as Sport for Development and Peace) is a worldwide movement recognised by the United Nations, European Union and national governments as a force for stimulating positive social and economic change for those most in need. Its programmes intentionally use the power of sport to promote goals such as anti-racism, social inclusion, gender equality, integration of migrant communities, integration of people with disabilities, employability, education, personal development and self-esteem, and a range of other positive outcomes and values.

BUT Sport for Development education has not received the attention it deserves. Few evidence-based training courses exist to prepare people to work in this challenging field and to reskill and upskill them for future challenges. SKILLS4CHANGE will help to fill this gap by designing freely available online training which will address the skills needs which this survey identifies.

The survey is designed to generate global data on:

• The role of Sport for Development in modern society
• Priority training needs for managers/coordinators and face-to-face workers
• Priority areas of practice
• Current approaches to training
• The role of qualifications

Once the findings have been analysed and validated through national and international consultation, the project partners will develop 10 online training courses which will address the most urgent priorities to improve the skills, knowledge and behaviours of two sets of staff: coordinators who research, design and manage Sport for Development programmes and the activator-coaches who work face-to-face with participants. These courses will be free of charge and offered in English, French and Spanish as a minimum.

Please Complete This Survey and Promote It as Widely as You Can

The SKILLS4CHANGE partnership urges all EOSE members and newsletter readers to fill in this survey and promote it through your networks to ensure a broad European and global response. As well as organisations already active in Sport for Development, we also need to reach sport federations, local and national government bodies, sport for all organisations, clubs, network associations, national Olympic and Paralympic committees, education providers and anyone else who may have an interest in Sport for Development now or in the future.   

Download survey flyer (PDF) and social media / article banners (PNG) for dissemination:

Further information about the project is available at: https://www.s4c-sport.eu/  

For enquiries regarding the survey, please contact Geoff Carroll (geoff.carroll@eose.org).

SKILLS4CHANGE Partnership

• SportMalta
• European Observatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE)
• Athletes Inspire Children (AIC)
• International Platform on Sport and Development, operated by International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA)
• International Table Tennis Federation Foundation (ITTFF)
• Palacký University of Olomouc, Faculty of Physical Culture
• Play International
• Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI)
• The Johan Cruyff Foundation (JCF)