UNESCO and SSA Convene First SAPA Review Meeting to Develop Sports Impact Framework

UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia and the Sports and Society Accelerator (SSA) convened the first Sports and Physical Activity (SAPA) Impact Framework Project Review Committee meeting on 25 February 2025, bringing together key stakeholders and experts to discuss the SAPA Impact Framework. This initiative aims to create a robust, scalable, and sustainable methodology for measuring the impact of interventions around sports and physical activity as a tool for social change and development.

The Review Committee engaged in a dynamic discussion, highlighting critical areas for the SAPA impact framework. Key suggestions for factors to be included in the framework’s development were:

• Ensuring Safety and Inclusion for Girls: Creating safe and inclusive infrastructure to encourage girls’ participation in sports.

• Schools as a Central Unit:  Recognizing schools as a foundational unit in the framework, with community and culture as key contributing factors.

• Economic Development through Sports: Acknowledging the role of organizations and NGOs in providing direct employment through sports, contributing to economic growth.

• Sports as Therapy: Exploring the unique potential of sports as a therapeutic tool; for example, in areas prone to natural calamities.

• Sports as a Tool for Global Issues: Leveraging sports to address pressing global challenges like climate change and mental health, while also challenging taboos around participation in SAPA.

• Breaking Gender Stereotypes and Providing Livelihoods: Highlighting SAPA as a means to break gender stereotypes and create livelihood opportunities.

• Supporting Resource-Constrained Organizations: Ensuring the SAPA impact framework caters to organizations with limited resources, helping them navigate the complexities of implementing sport programs.

Embedding equality and societal considerations into the SAPA impact framework is not just a goal—it’s a necessity. We must ensure that the framework addresses systemic inequalities to create a truly inclusive impact. -Professor Ramon Spaaij, Professor in the College of Sport, Health and Engineering, Victoria University

The SAPA Impact Framework includes all forms of physical activity, emphasizing health, well-being, and inclusivity. Designed to be adaptable to diverse community needs, SAPA fosters engagement and sustainability for positive social impact, aiming to improve health, promote well-being, and strengthen communities across India.

The Project Review Committee, chaired by UNESCO and SSA, brings together a diverse group of leaders and experts from renowned organizations. Their collective expertise ensures the SAPA impact framework is comprehensive, inclusive, and impactful. Victoria University will provide expertise and guidance throughout the project. Meanwhile, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) will support research efforts in piloting the toolkit. The committee also includes Pro Sport Development, Dani Sports Foundation, Sportz Village, Magic Bus India Foundation, Dream a Dream, Naandi Foundation, International Sport and Culture Association, Anantapur Sports Academy and Piramal Foundation for Educational Leadership

The first Review Committee meeting set the stage for a collaborative and impactful journey. While multiple global frameworks exist, they often lack contextual relevance. The SAPA impact framework aims to fill this gap by offering a contextualized and easy-to-understand tool for measuring sports impact.

The framework aims to create a more equitable landscape for SAPA by addressing systemic challenges and promoting inclusion. Using sports as a tool for social change, it seeks to redefine how we measure and understand their impact. 

Sport is a powerful tool for development and peace, uniting people across borders and social differences while tackling global challenges. UNESCO works with diverse stakeholders to promote sport and quality physical education, ensuring that everyone can move freely without discrimination.