International Inspiration

The Prime Minister announced the Programme in India
UNICEF India

International Inspiration is a project which aims to deliver on the ‘Singapore Vision’ – the promise made by the London 2012 bid team to ‘reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport.’

The Programme aims to use the power of sport to transform the lives of millions of children and young people of all abilities, in schools and communities across the world, particularly in developing countries, through the power of high quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play. This will not only deliver the ambitions promised in Singapore - and contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals - but will also set the foundations for a true international legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

International Inspiration was announced by the Prime Minister in India on 21 January 2008. Since its launch, the programme has been successfully piloted in five countries: Azerbaijan, Brazil, India, Palau and Zambia. Please click on each country to find out more. As a result the programme has now been extended, with projects underway in Bangladesh, Jordan and Mozambique, and activities due to begin in Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as Malaysia, Nigeria and South Africa. The aspiration is to reach 12 million children in 20 countries by 2012. International Inspiration has also received the formal backing of the International Olympic Committee. This is the first time a host country has undertaken an international legacy programme of this kind, and to have International Inspiration formally recognised as a London 2012 initiative is a significant milestone.

International Inspiration has brought together a unique range of organisations. Delivery is led by UK Sport, in partnership with the British Council and UNICEF. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Premier League are key partners providing funding and other support, and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), the British Olympic Foundation and the British Paralympic Association are also central to the programme, with International Inspiration forming a core strand of the international social legacy of London 2012. The delivery in each country is also supported by UK expertise from the Youth Sport Trust, local implementing partners and the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee in each country.

With the programme moving into the second stage, a further £16 million of funding was announced in 2008, from DFID with an additional £5.4m, and the British Council, which made a pledge to match fund future income up to a total of £10.2 million. This backed up the £9million already invested by DFID, the British Council, UNICEF, DCMS and the Premier League.

olympic partner involvement

International Inspiration is the first opportunity of its kind for Olympic Partners to be involved in an ambitious and innovative legacy programme associated with their sponsorship of the Olympic Games. If you are a London 2012 Partner and would like further information on how you can be involved in the International Inspiration programme, please contact your LOCOG Account Manager.

Alternatively individuals and trusts should contact Hannah Ewing on hannahe@unicef.org.uk or by phone on 0207 375 6139

INTERNATIONAL INSPIRATION AMBASSADORS

International Inspiration Ambassadors are united by their commitment to the International Inspiration mission. Olympic medalists and sporting heroes are some of the most iconic individuals in the world today and act as role models for millions of children and young people. They help us to reach a wider audience, enabling us to highlight how International Inspiration is transforming the lives of millions of children and young people of all abilities across the world.

David Beckham, Sir Chris Hoy, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Denise Lewis and Colin Jackson have joined forces to add their support to International Inspiration.

Click here to read more.

snapshot

Click here to view a UNICEF film from the Municipal Seal project in Brazil, featuring International Inspiration activity.

ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09

Please click here to view the programme's 2008/09 annual report.

UK SCHOOL GAMES 2009

Young leaders from International Inspiration countries, including the UK, attended the 2009 UK School Games in Wales in September 2009. Click here to read more.