Driving Gender Equality Through Sport – Moving for Change: Request for ProposalS
From July 6 to August 21 2026 International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) working in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda are invited to submit proposals to join the Moving for Change program.
Moving for Change is an adidas Foundation program focused on embedding Sport for Development approaches within sustainable development strategies, unlocking opportunities for more just, resilient, and equitable societies.
ABOUT THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
We are inviting INGOs* to apply jointly with locally based Sport for Development (S4D) organizations to design and implement projects that use sport to advance gender equality and strengthen the integration of S4D approaches into organizational strategies, programs, and systems.
*For the purposes of this document, an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) refers to a formally registered, non-profit organization that operates independently of government control and works across at least three countries.
KEY INFORMATION
How to apply
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
Application Form, including:
- project proposal and implementation approach
- organizational experience and capacity
- community context and partnership approach
- plans for integrating Sport for Development (S4D) approaches into organizational systems
Project Documents
Organizational Documents
- Proof of legal registration and non-profit status
- Safeguarding policy (or equivalent safeguarding framework)
- Most recent audited financial statement
All application materials must be submitted in English.
Focus Communities*
The Moving for Change projects under this request for proposals focus on supporting girls and women, with an intersectional approach to communities facing discrimination or exclusion based on factors such as:
• Gender identity and expression
• Sexual orientation
• Ethnicity or race
• Disability
• Nationality, migrant or refugee status
• Religion, belief, or faith background
*We recognize that the identities, experiences, and specific needs of young people within each of these categories vary widely across countries, cultures, and local contexts. Belonging is shaped by self‑identification, local terminology, legal and policy environments, and social norms. Many young people may belong to multiple communities at once, experiencing overlapping forms of marginalization or discrimination. For this reason, the groups should be understood as guiding frameworks rather than rigid categories, designed to support inclusive, context‑sensitive programming and equitable access to sport and physical activity.
Key dates
- Applications Open: July 6, 2026
- Application Deadline: August 21, 2026 (11:59 PM CEST)
- Applicant Notification: By end of September, 2026
- Expected Project Start: First half of 2027
Submissions received outside of this timeframe or not submitted through the official platform will not be accepted for consideration.
Notes on Eligibility Criteria
Lead applicants must be International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) that are:
• Operating independently of government control and conduct activities across multiple countries (at least three).
• Legally registered non-profit organizations with operational presence in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and/or Uganda.
• Applying jointly with a locally based, legally registered Sport for Development organization in the country of implementation.
• Able to demonstrate experience in gender equality programming and working with girls and women.
• Able to ensure key personnel responsible for grant management, reporting, and partnership communication able to work effectively in English.
• Able to commit to a three‑year partnership including MEAL (monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning) processes and active participation in the Moving for Change Community of Practice.
• Able to demonstrate strong safeguarding and sound governance at the organizational and program levels.
- Lead applicants are required to provide 10% minimum financial co-funding.
Webinar Resources
Please find here the slide deck used during the information webinar
Funding Guidelines
All organizations should review our funding guidelines before submitting their application. 🔗 Read the full guidelines here.
Project Model
Moving for Change supports partnerships between International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) and locally based Sport for Development (S4D) organizations to integrate sport-based approaches into sustainable development programming, organizational strategies, and systems.
Applications must be submitted jointly by an INGO and a locally based S4D organization. Selected projects will follow a collaborative partnership model:
- INGO Lead Partner: Serves as the lead applicant and grant recipient, responsible for overall project management, coordination, reporting, and embedding S4D approaches into organizational programming and systems.
- Local S4D Partner: Acts as a strategic S4D integration and co-implementation partner by contributing contextual S4D expertise, supporting project design and delivery, and strengthening the INGO’s capacity to apply S4D approaches. The S4D partner must receive at least 20% of the total project budget.
- Community of Practice: Selected organizations will participate in a learning community facilitated by a Technical and Learning Partner appointed by the adidas Foundation. The community of practice is a space to strengthen implementation quality, exchange knowledge, and support organizational learning.
