Adidas Foundation Recovery Through Sport Programme 2026 | Up to EUR 6 Million Funding
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Call for Strategic Partners to Support Crisis-Affected Youth Through Sport
The adidas Foundation is inviting Expressions of Interest from organisations to become long-term strategic partners for the Recovery Through Sport programme, a multi-year initiative supporting children and young people affected by crisis and displacement. Up to EUR 6 million in funding is available across selected partners. Apply before 30 August 2026.
About the Organizer
The adidas Foundation is dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of sport to tackle pressing social and environmental challenges . Through five core programmes, the Foundation supports organisations using sport to advance equality and inclusion, confront discrimination, protect the planet, and help communities recover from crises .
The Foundation recognises that sport remains vastly underutilised in international humanitarian aid settings, often seen merely as a recreational activity. Most aid focuses on immediate needs like healthcare, food, shelter, and infrastructure, while the long-term mental health effects on children are often a lower priority . The Recovery Through Sport programme was developed to address this gap.
About the Programme
Recovery Through Sport is a new multi-year initiative designed to explore how safe, structured, and meaningful participation in sport can contribute to recovery, wellbeing, and resilience among young people living in challenging environments .
The programme focuses on settings where safe participation can be established and where sport-based approaches can complement broader recovery efforts. Scientific research shows that sport could be key to building mental resilience in young people, with coaches playing a particularly crucial role in creating supportive environments for rehabilitation .
The Foundation has already completed extensive preparatory work with an independent consortium of experts in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), sport, and physical activity. This included research, evidence reviews, and consultations with organisations across sectors, resulting in the framework that will guide Recovery Through Sport .
Quick Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme Name | Recovery Through Sport |
| Organizer | adidas Foundation |
| Opportunity Type | Strategic Partnership / Funding Opportunity |
| Funding Commitment | Up to EUR 6 Million across selected partners |
| Eligible Applicants | Experienced organisations in humanitarian, recovery, and youth-focused programmes |
| Location | Global (Crisis-affected and recovery settings) |
| Partnership Duration | Multi-year (Initial period of at least 3 years) |
| Number of Partners | Up to 3 organisations |
| Deadline | 30 August 2026 at 11:59 PM CET |
| Status | Expressions of Interest Open |
Opportunity Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Organization | adidas Foundation |
| Programme | Recovery Through Sport |
| Opportunity Type | Strategic Partnership |
| Funding Category | Multi-year Funding (Up to EUR 6 Million) |
| Eligible Applicants | Organisations with experience in humanitarian response, MHPSS, youth development, and sport-based interventions |
| Location | Global (Crisis-affected and recovery settings) |
| Application Mode | Expression of Interest (EOI) |
Programme Benefits for Partners
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Multi-Year Funding | Funding committed for an initial period of at least three years, designed for continuity rather than short-term project cycles |
| Co-Development | Close collaboration on programme design, implementation approaches, learning, and continuous improvement |
| Evidence-Informed Approach | A programme framework developed through research and sector-wide consultation |
| Strategic Partnership | Long-term collaboration rather than a traditional grant relationship |
| Flexibility | Opportunity to strengthen, adapt, test, and develop new approaches together |
| Sector Influence | Contribute to building the evidence base for sport in humanitarian settings |
Programme Objectives
| Objective | Status/Details |
|---|---|
| Support Youth Recovery | Help children and young people rebuild wellbeing, confidence, and sense of normalcy after crises |
| Strengthen Evidence Base | Contribute to research on sport in lower-resourced crisis and displacement settings |
| Build Partnerships | Co-develop sustainable programming with selected partners |
| Safe Participation | Create safer, more supportive spaces for crisis-affected youth |
| Long-Term Impact | Provide meaningful support well beyond the immediate emergency response |
Eligibility Criteria
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisational Experience | Strong operational experience in humanitarian, recovery, and youth-focused programmes |
| MHPSS Capacity | Established mental health and psychosocial support capacity |
| Safeguarding Systems | Strong institutional safeguarding systems |
| Operational Reach | Ability to operate across multiple crisis-affected or recovery settings |
| Sport Experience | Previous experience using sport or physical activity in challenging environments |
| Learning Culture | Commitment to research, learning, and evidence creation |
| Partnership Commitment | Organisational interest in building a long-term partnership |
Selection Process
| Phase | Details |
|---|---|
| Phase I: Expression of Interest | Organisations submit EOIs outlining their experience, systems, and capacity |
| Phase II: Review | Applications reviewed against partner criteria |
| Phase III: Shortlisting | Shortlisted organisations contacted for further discussion |
| Phase IV: Co-Development | Selected partners work with the Foundation to design programming, funding arrangements, and learning priorities |
| Partnership Commencement | Multi-year strategic partnership begins |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Expressions of Interest Open | 15 July 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 30 August 2026 at 11:59 PM CET |
| Partner Selection | September – October 2026 |
| Partnership Commencement | Late 2026 / Early 2027 |
Best Opportunity For
| Category | Suitable |
|---|---|
| Humanitarian Organisations | Ideal for those with crisis-response experience |
| Youth Development NGOs | Suitable for organisations working with young people |
| Sport for Development Organisations | Perfect for those using sport as a tool for change |
| MHPSS Providers | Great for organisations with psychosocial support capacity |
Competition Level
| Category | Level |
|---|---|
| Recovery Through Sport | High |
Important Links
| Description | Official Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Now | |
| Recovery Through Sport | |
| adidas Foundation |
FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the Recovery Through Sport programme? | A multi-year initiative supporting crisis-affected youth through sport and physical activity, co-developed with strategic partners. |
| Who can apply? | Experienced organisations with capacity in humanitarian response, MHPSS, youth development, and sport-based interventions. |
| How much funding is available? | Up to EUR 6 million across selected partners . |
| How many partners will be selected? | Up to three organisations . |
| Is this a grant or a partnership? | This is a long-term strategic partnership, not a traditional grant opportunity . |
| What is the application deadline? | 30 August 2026 at 11:59 PM CET . |
CareerFlora Recommendation
| Recommendation Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) |
| Funding Opportunity | Excellent – substantial multi-year funding commitment |
| Partnership Value | High – opportunity to co-develop a new programme area |
| Sector Impact | Significant – contribute to building evidence for sport in humanitarian settings |
| Flexibility | High – co-development approach allows for tailored programming |
| Apply Early | Review the Expression of Interest Guidelines carefully. This is a partner selection process, not a project proposal competition. Demonstrate your organisation's experience, systems, and commitment to long-term collaboration. Good luck! |
Partner Profile
The adidas Foundation is looking for organisations that already have strong existing programmes and are willing to strengthen, adapt, test, and develop new approaches together .
Ideal partners will demonstrate expertise in:
Established mental health and psychosocial support capacity
Experience working in humanitarian and recovery contexts
Strong institutional safeguarding systems
Ability to operate across multiple crisis-affected or recovery settings
Previous experience using sport or physical activity in challenging environments
Commitment to research, learning, and evidence creation
Organisational interest in building a long-term partnership
Why Your Organisation Should Apply
The Recovery Through Sport partnership is designed as a long-term strategic collaboration rather than a traditional grant relationship . Selected partners will have the opportunity to co-create a programme that addresses one of the most significant challenges facing crisis-affected communities.
Research findings indicate that where conditions are appropriate, sport and physical activity can help restore routine, social connection, belonging, agency, and safe participation for children and young people affected by crises . The adidas Foundation is seeking partners who can help build innovative pathways for young people to recover, reconnect, and thrive through sport.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Submitting a Project Proposal: This is a partner selection process, not a project proposal competition .
Incomplete EOI: Ensure all required information is provided.
Missing the Deadline: Submit before 30 August 2026 at 11:59 PM CET.
Lack of Evidence: Clearly demonstrate your organisation's experience and capacity.
Generic Applications: Tailor your application to the specific requirements of Recovery Through Sport.
CareerFlora Expert Insight
The adidas Foundation Recovery Through Sport Programme represents a significant opportunity for organisations working at the intersection of humanitarian response, youth development, and sport. With up to EUR 6 million in funding available across up to three partners, this is a substantial commitment to building evidence-based approaches for supporting crisis-affected youth .
The programme is particularly suited to organisations with proven experience in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and robust safeguarding systems, as these are critical components for effective programming in crisis settings. The Foundation has emphasised that sport is not a substitute for humanitarian response, nor is it a quick intervention. Partners should be prepared for long-term collaboration focused on building sustainable, evidence-informed solutions .
Competition is expected to be strong, given the funding commitment and the opportunity to shape a new programme area for the Foundation. We recommend that interested organisations carefully review the Expression of Interest Guidelines and demonstrate how their existing work aligns with the programme's objectives.
