Today, global sports for sustainable social change pioneer, Beyond Sport, announced the 35 projects that have been officially shortlisted for its prestigious Global Awards (full list below). Selected from over 400 applications, from 100+ countries and covering 53 sports, the shortlist recognises the standout work of organisations who are creating positive social impact in communities around the world through sport. We are thrilled to be one of the shortlisted organisations and to be recognised for our work in promoting health and well-being through inclusive sport.

On September 12, representatives of each of the organisations will attend the 10^th annual Beyond Sport Global Awards ceremony at One World Observatory at One World Trade, where the winners of each category will be announced. Attended by sports celebrities, business leaders and development visionaries, the Global Awards celebrate, support, raise awareness and provide funding through the Beyond Sport Foundation. This year, the Foundation will award more than $350,000 to organisations that are using sport to help make the UN Sustainable Development Goals a reality. All shortlisted organisations will also receive a custom business support package from experts in the business, sport and development sectors to help strengthen their organisations through mentoring and fundraising tools.

“On behalf of the Beyond Sport Foundation and our judges, congratulations to our 10^th anniversary Beyond Sport Global Awards Official Shortlist. This year’s group was especially competitive, so the organisations and individuals should be very proud of their achievement. We are grateful to be able to provide the opportunity to not only promote sport through our Global Awards, but also to continue to bring like-minded people together as resources for each other and to share ways that sport is and can be used to make the UN Sustainable Development Goals a reality,” said Nick Keller, Founder and President, Beyond Sport.

Since 2008, the Beyond Sport Foundation has supported 200+ organisations worldwide, providing $1.5M+ in funds, and distributing $7 million+ in long-term strategic support through its Global Awards. In its 10^th anniversary year, Beyond Sport received a record number of applicants addressing a diverse range of topics, including: health, gender equality, youth engagement, refugees, STEM education, climate change, accessibility and inclusion and tech and employability.

The 2018 shortlisted projects encompass 33 countries, 23 sports and 10 categories: from challenging injustice, racism and violence through football; to using basketball to improve health; to cleaning up plastics from oceans through sailing; to providing women with economic opportunities through sport tourism, this year’s shortlist represents some of the most exciting, innovative and inspiring ways sport is being used to change lives. And, new this year, will be an award for the project that best uses sport to address the global refugee crisis.

The day after the Global Awards, the organisation’s Beyond Sport United conference will bring together 400+ industry leaders and global shapers across sport, development, business, government and academia to explore innovations in how sport is being used to drive social change in communities across the globe – all with a special focus on youth engagement, leadership and social action.

The Beyond Sport Global Awards are made possible by Official Supporters, Comic Relief, ESPN, Chivas Regal, Swedish Postcode Foundation and Xiaomi, Award Category Partners UNICEF, WWE and Generation Amazing and Host Partner, Legends. Business support packages are provided by Upshot, GivenGain and TrustLaw.

THE BEYOND SPORT GLOBAL AWARDS OFFICIAL SHORTLIST:

Sport for Health and Well-Being

• Basketball Health Corps – Shooting Touch, Rwanda
• Let’s Play Together To Reach Further / Ann Jwe Ansanm Pou Rive Pi Lwen – GOALS Haiti, Haiti
• Promoting Health and Well-being through Inclusive Sport – ISF Cambodia, Cambodia

Sport for Quality Education and Employment

• Training for a Marathon, Training for Life – Students Run America, USA
• Women Economic Empowerment Through Sport Tourism – 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking, Nepal
• Open Doors to Inclusion – Rodrigo Mendes Institute, Brazil

Sport for Equality

• Umoya Sports – The Umoya Foundation, India
• Gender Based Violence Survivor Support – Sport In Action, Zambia
• Rugby for the Emancipation of Young Girls – Terres en Mêlées France, Togo, Burkina-Faso, Morocco, Madagascar, Cambodia
• Forming a Team for Equality – DIDESEX, Mexico

Sport for Innovation and Tech

• 4th Family: Court Science – 4th Family, USA
• Online Transparent Impact Dashboard – Street League, UK
• Looking for a Place to Dream – GAME, Lebanon

Sport for Peace and Social Justice

• Challenging Injustice, Racism and Violence in South Africa through futsal – training4changes, South Africa
• Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) in Iraq – Spirit of Soccer, Iraq and Cambodia
• Fundacion Espartanos, Argentina
• Pledge United – Football Plus, Indonesia

Best Partnership or Collaboration in Sport for Good

• Football and Cutting-Edge HIV Research – Vijana Amani Pamoja and Medical University of South Carolina, Kenya and USA
• Hockey’s Declaration of Principles – NHL, Global
• Sweat For Good – Positive Tracks, USA
• Get Out Get Active – Activity Alliance, UK

Sport for Climate Action

• PlanLED SHINE, New York Yankees & Green Sports Alliance: Shedding Light on Climate Action & Communities – Green Sports Alliance Foundation, USA
• NHL Green, USA, Canada
• Beyond the Green Pitch – UEFA Foundation for Children, Brazil

Sport for Sustainable Cities and Communities:

• Burnley FC in the Community – UK, Malaysia, China
• Fútbol Más Barrios – Fútbol Más, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Haiti, México, Kenya, France
• Plymouth Hope – UK, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Mali
• Developing Game-Changing Skills Among Children & Youth in Rural South Africa – Thanda, South Africa

Best Corporate Campaign or Initiative in Sport for Good

• iStage 3 and European STEM League – SAP, Global
• BOKS Closing the Fitness Gap – Reebok, Global
• #TurnTheTideOnPlastic – Volvo Ocean Race, Global

Global Impact of the Year

• #WhatsYourLegacy – Coaches Across Continents
• Global Goals World Cup
• It’s a Penalty Campaign 2018
• Sport for Peace – Generations for Peace