Deadline: 15-Mar-2022
equitysport is now accepting applications for the Professional Development Grants (PDG) Programme to provide direct support for the development of early- and mid career sports coaches, administrators, organisers, practitioners and clinicians from traditionally under-served or disadvantaged sporting communities in sub-Saharan Africa to pursue short-term, non-degree training to upgrade their knowledge and skills for the benefit of their community.
These trainings can include short courses, certificated training and/or conferences, among other training opportunities. The courses might include coaching badges, first-aid or safeguarding courses, sports administration certificates or the attendance of a relevant conference or gathering. Training can be delivered online, in-person or through blended learning.
Focus Areas
equitysport are positioning these grants with the following focus areas in mind:
- To extend equal opportunity in and through sport through the delivery of education and vocational training to fill skills gaps in the employed and voluntary workforce in the Global South, without the need for sustained outside intervention.
- To develop skills, good practice and standards in coaching, administration, development and support services across the global sporting ecosystem.
- To strengthen institutional and organisational capacities and improve expertise and experience of individuals involved in the promotion, advancement and extension of equality, diversity and equal opportunities in and through sport.
- To engage diverse stakeholders, including through gender mainstreaming and the prioritisation of the active high level involvement of local people, local organisations and local initiatives in sport and sports development.
- To foster a professional network among individuals, organisations and institutions with an emphasis on collaboration and information exchange.
Funding Information
Individual applicants can request up to £250 GBP, and priority will be given to training/courses/conference where the full cost will be met by the grant.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be a citizen of an eligible country: Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe. equitysport are committed to expanding the geographical reach of the PDG programme as soon as the funding capacity and outreach within new regions can support it.
- Applicants must be currently living and working in their home country.
- Applicants must be able to evidence at least 12 months of experience working within sport or a sport-for-development programme and must be currently working or volunteering. There is no minimum hours requirement.
- Applicants current work and the proposed training must help extend opportunity in or through sport in the applicant’s home country.
- Applicants must be able to outline how completing the training will benefit their local community, i.e. by outlining how the training will support them in extending or expanding opportunity in or through sport for traditionally underserved sporting communities.
- Applicants must have approval from their employer (or from a supervising organisation if a volunteer), and the promise of meaningful continued employment / voluntary involvement thereafter.
- Applicants must not have received funding from equitysport in the past 12 months.
- The proposed training must take place at least 30 days after the application deadline so as to allow sufficient time to process applications and award the grant.
For more information, visit https://www.equitysport.org/pdgs