The initiative forms part of the Global Sport for Good programme, bringing together the International Olympic Committee (IOC), BWF, World Athletics, FIBA and World Rugby to strengthen sport’s contribution to health, education, inclusion and community development.

Badminton building stronger communities

In October, BWF brought together 12 Coach Education and Shuttle Time Tutors from around the world for its inaugural Community Coach Educators Workshop in Cairo, Egypt.

The three-day programme equipped participants with specialist skills in community engagement and social impact, establishing a global network of educators who will receive seed funding to develop local initiatives.

The first pilot project launches in Costa Rica in December, working with local police to engage young people through badminton, strengthen community relationships and help reduce juvenile crime.

BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul highlighted the sport’s wider potential:

“Badminton changes lives. It brings people together, builds confidence, creates opportunities and strengthens communities.”

She added:

“By developing a global network of Community Educators and launching innovative projects such as our pilot initiative in Costa Rica, we’re demonstrating how badminton can be a powerful force for social impact, strengthening communities and helping young people thrive both on and off the court.”

World Athletics putting children first

World Athletics is strengthening its Kids’ Athletics programme, which reaches 170 countries and engaged more than seven million children in its latest participation campaign.

The initiative focuses on child-centred delivery, supporting coaches, teachers and federations to create inclusive experiences while measuring the wider benefits of participation.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe explained:

“Kids’ Athletics gives us an opportunity to look beyond participation numbers and understand the difference athletics can make in the lives of young people and their communities.”

The programme is supported by more than 10,000 coaches and teachers, alongside new digital tools designed to improve accessibility and delivery.

FIBA expanding Basketball For Good

Meanwhile, the FIBA Foundation is extending its Basketball For Good programme through education, leadership development and improved impact measurement.

Its Basketball For Good Playbook provides practical guidance covering health, gender equality and climate action, while 31 facilitators from 20 National Federations have received specialist training.

FIBA’s Hoops for Schools programme has already reached 18 European countries, with further international expansion planned.

The Foundation is also developing new monitoring and evaluation tools to better demonstrate basketball’s contribution to communities.

Moving beyond participation to impact

Since 2024, Global Sport for Good has engaged more than 500 coaches and educators and 148 National Federations across 122 countries.

IOC Sports Director Pierre Ducrey emphasised the importance of collaboration:

“This initiative demonstrates the value of collaboration in extending the benefits of sport to more young people and underserved communities worldwide.”

The programme represents an important evolution in how international sport approaches social responsibility.

Rather than measuring success solely through participation numbers, the emphasis is increasingly on developing local capacity, understanding community needs and demonstrating meaningful outcomes.

All five organisations involved in the Global Sport for Good initiative are recognised on the Global Sustainable Sport (GSS) SPI Purpose Podiums, reflecting their commitment to sustainability, purpose and impact. World Rugby leads the group, ranked in the Global Top 15 with a C+ rating, followed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Athletics, both in the Global Top 50 with C+ ratings. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) and FIBA are also performing strongly, both ranked in the Global Top 75 with C+ ratings. Their collective presence on the Purpose Podiums highlights the growing importance of collaboration in delivering meaningful and measurable social impact across international sports federations.

For international federations, the challenge is no longer simply getting more people playing sport, but ensuring that participation delivers lasting benefits for individuals and communities.