Sport Takes a Growing Place in Development Finance

Sport is emerging as an increasingly strategic pillar within global development finance, moving from a peripheral consideration to a recognised lever for long‑term investment and sustainable impact. This growing visibility was clearly illustrated last week in Verona, where members of the FiCS Coalition for Sustainable Development through Sport gathered for a working session held alongside the opening of the Milano‑Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games.

Hosted by the Istituto per il Credito Sportivo e Culturale, with support from the International Paralympic Committee and participation from the Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026 Legacy team, the meeting brought together Public Development Banks, international sports organisations and development partners. Their exchanges reflected a shared understanding: sport has entered a pivotal moment in its integration within global financing and development strategies.

The Verona session provided an opportunity to review progress and collectively align priorities for what promises to be a decisive year for the sport‑for‑development ecosystem. Participants discussed updates on the Coalition’s organisation, its 2026–2027 action plan and the upcoming co‑chair elections, which will shape the next phase of strategic leadership and coordination across the network.

A central topic was the investment tracking exercise that underpins the Coalition’s collective commitment to mobilise USD 10 billion for sport and development by 2030. By mapping the volume, nature and evolution of investments across member institutions, this initiative aims to strengthen transparency, identify opportunities and reinforce sport’s legitimacy within broader development financing.

Members also reviewed progress on the Global Sport Impact Fund, which is currently being structured following a remarkable Expression of Interest phase: more than 700 project submissions from over 100 countries. This level of engagement confirms the scale of global demand for investment in sport-based development initiatives—ranging from community programmes and inclusive physical activity projects to sustainable infrastructure and sport-for‑education models. For many actors across Africa and the Global South, such financing mechanisms represent a unique opportunity to scale programmes that use sport to drive social, educational and economic outcomes.

The role of major sporting events was another important theme, particularly the momentum created by the Winter Paralympic Games. Discussions highlighted how global events can catalyse investment in accessible infrastructure, inclusive community programmes and long‑term legacy initiatives that benefit local populations well beyond the duration of the competitions. The Paralympic movement, in particular, offers valuable insights on inclusion, representation and universal accessibility.

Another key priority identified was the alignment of impact measurement and evaluation frameworks across Coalition members. As interest in sport-for-development financing grows, establishing common indicators and methodologies becomes essential for demonstrating impact, informing investment decisions and ensuring the credibility of sport-based approaches across different regions and sectors.

Looking ahead, several major milestones—such as global development finance forums and the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026—provide important opportunities to deepen the connections between the sport ecosystem, public development banks, donors and impact investors. As more institutions recognise the transformative potential of sport, the challenge is now to integrate it more effectively into national and international development strategies.

For the Sport en Commun community, the Verona meeting reflects a broader shift: sport is increasingly positioned as a meaningful contributor to social inclusion, youth development, gender equality, environmental sustainability and economic resilience. As efforts intensify, the continued collaboration of Coalition members will be essential to advancing this agenda and ensuring that sport becomes a fully recognised pillar within global development finance.