The Multistakeholder Pledge on Sport for Inclusion and Protection

The integration and protection of refugees is one of today’s most pressing global challenges, calling for practical, coordinated solutions across sectors and borders. With over 122 million people forcibly displaced worldwide—more than ever before—the need for action is growing. Sport and physical activity have proven to be effective tools to support displaced people and their host communities, enhance wellbeing, and encourage active participation in society. This is the idea behind the Multistakeholder Pledge on Sport for Inclusion and Protection—a growing international commitment to coordinated action.

The Multistakeholder Pledge, launched under the Global Compact on Refugees, is a joint commitment by sports bodies, humanitarian and development organisations, civil society organisations, and international agencies. The goal is simple: to turn the potential of sport into real opportunities for refugees and host communities—not only in Europe but globally. The Pledge encourages organisations to take measurable action, share knowledge, build partnerships, and advocate for inclusive policies that work for and with people affected by displacement.

ISCA and the Global IRTS Project

The International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) signed the pledge in December 2023, taking a leading role through the Global Integration of Refugees Through Sport (IRTS) project. Supported by the Erasmus+ programme, the project brings together major actors in the sports, academic, and humanitarian sectors to develop and deliver effective sport-based solutions for refugees.

ISCA’s work through the Global IRTS project demonstrates the kind of practical delivery the Pledge is designed to promote—convening stakeholders, piloting new approaches, and providing evidence of what works on the ground.

Why Collaboration Is Essential

Supporting refugees through sport is complex. No single organisation has all the answers—or the resources—to address the challenges alone. The Pledge highlights the need for collaboration, encouraging partnerships between diverse stakeholders: from local sports clubs to National Olympic Committees, and from academic institutions to refugee-led organisations. By working together—sharing knowledge and building an evidence base for the role of sport in displacement contexts—this collaborative approach becomes not only effective but essential for sustainable programming.

Evidence That Sport Works

Recent research, including findings from the Global IRTS project, provides clear evidence that well-designed sport programmes help to improve mental health, support social integration and wellbeing, and build strong social connections. Research shows that sport can reduce stress and anxiety, support coping with trauma, and improve confidence and emotional resilience—especially among young people. Participants in IRTS programmes reported feeling safer, more connected, and more optimistic about their future. The most effective initiatives combined inclusive environments, empathetic and culturally aware coaching, and opportunities for regular engagement, often leading to additional outcomes such as stronger language skills, social networks, and pathways to education or employment.

Importantly, the report is a valuable resource for practitioners and policymakers, summarising both the challenges and the proven benefits of sport-based programmes, and emphasising that partnership and collective action are essential for achieving meaningful and lasting results.

Who Can Sign and What Does It Involve?

The Pledge is open to any organisation ready to make a meaningful contribution—sports organisations, NGOs, municipalities, academic institutions, and private sector actors. By signing, organisations commit to:

1. Promote an enabling environment, including policy, that delivers inclusive access to sport
2. Promote and provide inclusive, safe, sport- and play-based initiatives
3. Promote and provide opportunities for enhanced skills and pathways in and through sport
4. Use targeted communications, evidence, and research
5. Strengthen partnerships and coordination efforts

In return, signatories who join the Sport for Refugees Coalition become part of a global network, gain access to practical resources, and contribute to a wider movement for change.

The Value of Collective Action

The challenges facing refugees in Europe require joined-up, effective responses. The Multistakeholder Pledge on Sport for Inclusion and Protection provides a platform for organisations to align efforts, build partnerships, and deliver measurable results. For any organisation serious about supporting refugees through sport, the Pledge is both a call to action and an opportunity to be part of something larger.

For more information, and to add your organisation to the growing list of signatories contact contact@sportcoalition.org or visit About the Sport for Refugees Coalition | sportanddev