What is International Inspiration?

International Inspiration aims to transform the lives of 12 million children and young people of all abilities, in schools and communities across 20 developing countries worldwide, through the power of high quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play.

The programme is laying the foundations to deliver development and education through sport worldwide as part of the legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Led by UK Sport on behalf of the Government, International Inspiration is a collaboration of expertise in sport, development and education, including British Council and UNICEF UK as key delivery partners, as well as a host of other partners with support from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for International Development (DFID), the British Olympic Association (BOA), British Olympic Foundation (BOF), the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) and the Youth Sport Trust. Funding has also been received by the Premier League.

Where is it taking place?

International Inspiration is currently active in five countries - Azerbaijan, Brazil, India, Palau and Zambia - one in each of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regions. The programme is working in partnership with the government in each of the countries to ensure the sustainability and legacy of the activity.

The ambition is to reach 12 million children in 20 countries by 2012.

What’s happened so far?

Activity has included:

• Strategic consultations, conferences and seminars have taken place between the UK and the International Inspiration countries
• Implementation of sustainable physical education and school sport strategies at a policy level has started in a number of the International Inspiration countries
• School links have been set up and exchanges have taken place, with a focus on intercultural learning and laying the foundations for educational innovation in the curriculum through sport
• Community-based advocacy events and campaigns highlighting the importance of sport and play for children and young people’s development
• Teacher training on how to deliver high quality and inclusive physical education and school sport
• Training for young people on how to organise, manage, monitor and evaluate inclusive sport activity and events
• Training on coaching standards for competitive and community coaches.

To see snapshots of activities in each individual country, visit the UK sport website.

More information

If you would like to know more please contact us or visit the UK Sport website.

The International Inspiration Annual Report for 2008-09 is now available and can be viewed on the London 2012 website at www.london2012.com/internationalinspiration