Apply Now: Child Protection for Dakar Youth Olympics 2026 (Senegal)

UNICEF has launched a Call for Expressions of Interest to support child protection and safeguarding initiatives connected to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. The initiative aims to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for children and young athletes by addressing risks such as violence, exploitation, harassment, abuse, and digital threats.

The programme supports organisations working on child safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, digital safety, youth participation, and the creation of a long-term child protection legacy in Senegal.

About the UNICEF Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Child Protection Initiative

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is inviting organisations to submit Expressions of Interest for projects that strengthen child protection during the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The initiative is designed to ensure that children and young participants experience the Games in an environment that promotes:

Safety.
Respect.
Inclusion.
Empowerment.
Protection from harm.

UNICEF is implementing this initiative in collaboration with the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (COJOJ).

Purpose of the Initiative

The main objective of the programme is to strengthen child safeguarding systems before and during the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

The initiative aims to:

Prevent violence against children.
Promote safe participation in sports.
Protect children from exploitation and abuse.
Increase awareness of safeguarding practices.
Support children and young people in understanding protection risks.
Build a lasting child protection framework in Senegal.

About the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will be a historic international sporting event as the first Olympic event hosted on African soil.

The Games are expected to bring together:

Around 2,700 young athletes.
Thousands of volunteers.
International sporting communities.
Local youth participants.

UNICEF is supporting preparations to ensure that child protection remains a central part of the event.

Key Focus Areas of the Programme

The UNICEF initiative supports activities across multiple child protection and safeguarding areas.

Child Protection and Safeguarding in Sport

Projects may focus on:

Creating safer sports environments.
Developing child safeguarding systems.
Training coaches, volunteers, and stakeholders.
Preventing abuse in sports settings.
Promoting respectful behaviour toward young athletes.

Sport can provide powerful opportunities for children, but young participants may also face risks from individuals in positions of authority.

The programme addresses risks including:

Physical violence.
Emotional abuse.
Sexual violence.
Exploitation.
Harassment.
Harmful relationships.

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)

The initiative supports measures to prevent:

Sexual exploitation.
Sexual abuse.
Misconduct by adults working with children.
Abuse of power in sports environments.

Activities may include:

Awareness campaigns.
Training programmes.
Reporting mechanisms.
Safeguarding policies.

Youth Participation and Awareness Building

UNICEF encourages meaningful involvement of children and young people in developing:

Awareness materials.
Training resources.
Child-friendly protection messages.
Safeguarding campaigns.

The programme recognises that young people should play an active role in shaping solutions that affect their safety and wellbeing.

Digital Safety and Online Protection

The initiative addresses growing online risks faced by children and young athletes.

Supported activities may focus on preventing:

Cyberbullying.
Online violence.
Image-based abuse.
Harmful digital content.
Online harassment.

Projects may also raise awareness about risks linked to:

Artificial intelligence-generated content.
Manipulated images.
Deepfakes.
Digital identity protection.

Protection of Women and Girls

The programme highlights that women and girls may face increased risks of:

Sexual harassment.
Abuse.
Exploitation.
Discrimination in sports environments.

Projects that promote gender-sensitive safeguarding approaches are encouraged.

Why Child Protection Matters in Sports

Sport has the ability to:

Inspire young people.
Build confidence.
Encourage teamwork.
Support personal development.

However, children involved in sports may experience risks if appropriate protection systems are not established.

The initiative aims to ensure that sporting environments are:

Safe.
Inclusive.
Supportive.
Free from violence and exploitation.

UNICEF and COJOJ Partnership

UNICEF is working closely with the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee to integrate child protection measures into the event.

The partnership has already contributed to safeguarding efforts, including UNICEF’s involvement in the Safeguarding Charter launched on the Day of the African Child.

Additional technical support may also come from other United Nations agencies according to their areas of expertise.

Who Can Participate?

The Call for Expressions of Interest is intended for organisations with experience in areas such as:

Child protection.
Safeguarding.
Youth engagement.
Sport-based programmes.
Digital safety.
Violence prevention.
Community awareness.

Applicants should demonstrate the ability to design and implement activities that protect children and young people.

How the Initiative Works

Step 1: Identify Child Protection Needs

Organisations identify key risks affecting children and young athletes, including:

Safety concerns.
Online threats.
Violence prevention needs.
Awareness gaps.

Step 2: Develop Protection Activities

Projects may include:

Training workshops.
Awareness campaigns.
Safeguarding tools.
Educational materials.
Youth-led initiatives.

Step 3: Implement During Dakar 2026 Preparation and Games

Selected initiatives will support child protection efforts before and during the Youth Olympic Games.

Step 4: Build Long-Term Impact

Projects should contribute to a lasting child protection legacy in Senegal beyond the event period.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Proposing activities without clear child protection objectives.
Ignoring digital safety challenges.
Failing to include children’s participation.
Developing programmes without safeguarding policies.
Overlooking gender-specific risks.

Tips for stronger proposals:

Clearly explain the child protection challenge.
Include measurable outcomes.
Demonstrate experience working with children and communities.
Address both physical and digital safety risks.
Include sustainable approaches beyond the Games.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the UNICEF Dakar 2026 Child Protection Initiative?
It is a UNICEF-supported opportunity to fund initiatives that strengthen child protection and safeguarding during the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

What issues does the programme address?
The initiative focuses on violence prevention, child safeguarding, sexual exploitation and abuse prevention, digital safety, cyberbullying, and AI-related risks.

Why is child protection important during sports events?
Children and young athletes may face risks such as abuse, exploitation, harassment, and online harm, making strong safeguarding systems essential.

Who is UNICEF partnering with for this initiative?
UNICEF is working with the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (COJOJ) and may receive technical support from other UN agencies.

Does the programme address online safety?
Yes. It includes awareness of cyberbullying, online violence, image-based abuse, artificial intelligence risks, manipulated images, and deepfakes.

Are children involved in developing solutions?
Yes. UNICEF encourages meaningful participation of children and young people in creating awareness and training materials.

What is the long-term goal of the initiative?
The programme aims to create a lasting child protection legacy in Senegal beyond the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Conclusion

The UNICEF Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games Child Protection Initiative represents a major effort to ensure that young athletes and children experience sport in a safe and empowering environment. By supporting safeguarding systems, youth participation, digital safety, and violence prevention, the programme aims to protect children during the Games while creating long-term improvements in child protection across Senegal.