As 20 June marks World Refugee Day, NGOs supporting displaced people are grappling with a drastic drop in funding. And with refugee numbers at record highs, ISCA's Global Integration of Refugees through Sport (IRTS) Awards are placing renewed focus on this urgent issue. While cooperation and dialogue cannot compensate for funding cuts, ISCA emphasises the need for organisations to pool resources, networks and expertise.

Each award category will celebrate individuals or grassroots initiatives that have made an outstanding contribution to refugee integration through sport and physical activity. Nominations remain open in all four categories: IRTS Role Model (Citizens’ Choice), Refugee Led Initiatives, IRTS & Community and IRTS & Mental Health. Winners will receive €3 000 and will be invited to present their work at MOVE Congress 2025, which takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark from 29–31 October 2025.

According to ISCA President Mogens Kirkeby, the Global IRTS Awards will bring well deserved recognition to the organisations and individuals doing outstanding work in this field. ‘Grassroots initiatives often lead to best practice solutions that can be shared across organisations,’ he explains. ‘These awards will inspire everyone involved in the sector.’

Faced with cuts to vital services and a record number of global refugees, the need for NGO solidarity and co-operation is more important than ever. Global IRTS is an Erasmus+ funded initiative running from January 2024 to December 2025 that unites 23 core partners, two associate partners and three supporting institutions under the leadership of ISCA. While focusing on refugee integration through movement and activity, it actively enables the sharing of resources and knowledge across different platforms and agendas.

Unified IRTS Pledge

Kirkeby goes on to highlight the newly introduced IRTS Consensus, designed to help refugee organisations make the most of their limited resources, share knowledge and present a united front when engaging with funders. Signatories become part of a global network, gaining access to practical resources and support.

‘Budget cuts disproportionately affect refugees and others fleeing violence and persecution,’ says Kirkeby. ‘Initiatives like Global IRTS are more vital than ever. Solidarity and co‑operation are essential to help mitigate this alarming crisis’

The IRTS Consensus is a unified pledge calling on sports associations, NGOs, municipalities, academic institutions and private enterprises to take action, share knowledge and advocate for refugee policies that work. It is part of the IRTS Networking Platform and Hub, which now links six international initiatives including Global IRTS.

According to the latest UNHCR Global Trends report, a total of 122.1 million people were forcibly displaced by the end of April 2025, up 2.1 million on last year’s figure. In March, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned of “life threatening service reductions” as agencies are forced to scale back protections and basic services such as shelter, water and healthcare. The UNHCR’s 2025 health budget has been slashed by 87 per cent compared with 2024.

The 2025 ISCA Awards will be presented during MOVE Congress 2025, which is recognised as the world’s largest international conference dedicated to promoting recreational sport and health-enhancing physical activity. The judging panel for the ISCA’s 2025 IRTS Awards features respected figures from UNESCO (Dr Christos Anagnostopoulos), Girl Power (Khalida Popal), Right to Play (Ross Edgeworth), UISP (Raffaella Chiodo Karpinsky) and UNHCR (Stephen Reynards).

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