Call for Applications
Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention Initiative
The Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative is a groundbreaking and visionary programme, established to build safer and more resilient communities through sport.
INTRODUCTION TO THE STAKEHOLDERS
Initiated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Agence Française de développement (AFD), the SYCP Initiative is co-ordinated by the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice (AoS) and delivered in collaboration with a wide network of national, regional and international collaborators.
The initiative supports holistic community crime prevention projects in Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam through sport. It also facilitates training, learning and knowledge exchange among the sport, civil society and law enforcement sectors across the broader region.
Additionally, it will build regional and national cross-sector networks to generate insights, inform policy development and create lasting impact.
The initiative aligns with the IOC’s Olympism365 strategy, which strengthens the role of sport as enabler of sustainable development and AFD’s mission to leverage sport as a driver of the Sustainable Development Goals, supporting the transition to a fairer and more sustainable world.
Fund manager for the Initiative is Laureus Sport for Good, a global charity that supports children and young people by using sport to end violence, discrimination and inequality. With over 25 years of grant-making experience, Laureus has helped to change the lives of more than six million children and young people worldwide. Drawing on this experience, Laureus is managing this Call for Applications and working alongside the IOC, AFD and AoS.
As fund manager for the SYCP Initiative, Laureus Sport for Good’s responsibilities include:
- Leading the review, due diligence, and selection process for funding applications.
- Executing grant agreements with successful lead applicants (grantees).
- Disbursing funds to successful grantees on behalf of the IOC and AFD.
- Providing technical support and guidance to grantees.
- Reviewing and approving interim and final reports submitted by grantees.
CALL FOR APPLICATION OBJECTIVES: WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Creating safe, inclusive and resilient communities is a broad and complex objective. It involves addressing the social and environmental factors that increase the risk of youth becoming involved in anti-social behaviour, violence and crime, tackling root causes and supporting youth already in conflict with the law.
Sport has long been recognised as a cost-effective and proven tool for peace and development. Sport promotes inclusion, education, wellbeing, teamwork, respect and leadership. These are key protective factors that contribute to positive youth development and community safety.
Th SYCP Initiative adopts a three-tiered, evidence-informed approach to crime prevention through sport:
- Primary Prevention: Using sport to build resilience, promote inclusion and prevent youth from becoming involved in violence or crime.
- Secondary Intervention: Targeting youth at increased risk of offending and using sport to address root causes, strengthen protective factors and support positive behavioural choices.
- Tertiary Intervention: Supporting youth already in conflict with the law through sport-based programmes that foster rehabilitation, behaviour change and long-term desistance from crime.
Applications must select one or more of these tiers in the design of their project.
We are seeking strong programme ideas that are well-positioned to address the complex challenges outlined in this Call for Applications. Successful applications will demonstrate how they plan using sport to build safer and more resilient communities, supported by the right tools, collaborations and approaches.
Projects must be implemented in one of the following countries: Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand or Vietnam.
All applications should align with the Theory of Change for the SYCP Initiative.
GRANT INFORMATION
We encourage applications from single organisations (Single Organisation Impact Grants), as well as from groups of organisations working collaboratively (Collective Impact Grants), depending on what best suits your programme approach and delivery capacity.
- For Collective Impact Grants, estimated budgets should range from EUR 80,000 to 150,000 for a project period of 18 months.
- For Single Organisation Impact Grants, estimated budgets should range from EUR 50,000 to 80,000, also for 18 months of delivery.
Please note that these budget figures are indicative. Final grant amounts will be determined based on the quality of the proposal and the capacity of the applying organisation(s) to deliver effectively.
We strongly encourage applicants to seek co-funding where possible as it will be considered as part of the assessment. This helps to demonstrate local ownership and sustainability.
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be submitted using this online form only. Applications in Word or PDF sent by email will not be accepted.
Languages: The online application form is in English only, and you can find translations below. You are welcome to submit your application in English or in other eligible languages, which are Filipino, Lao, Thai and Vietnamese.
Budget sheet: Use this budget sheet to support your project application. You are welcome to submit your budget sheet in English or in other eligible languages, which are Filipino, Lao, Thai and Vietnamese.
Impact Toolkit: Use this toolkit to help demonstrate your planned impact. You are welcome to submit your impact toolkit in English or in other eligible languages, which are Filipino, Lao, Thai and Vietnamese.
Eligibility criteria: Before starting your application, please read the eligibility criteria carefully. You will find this in the application form.
Eligible countries: Only applications to deliver programmes in Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand or Vietnam (select only one country) will be accepted.
Theory of Change: Any application submitted should align with the SYCP Initiative’s Theory of Change.
Mandatory training and events: When selected, successful applicants must attend the following events (Please note that costs to cover travel, accommodation and travel allowance for relevant staff must be included in your budget proposal):
- Sport and Youth Crime Prevention Leadership programme: This commences with an in-person training programme in Bangkok in late 2025.
- The Sport and Youth Crime Prevention Conference in Bangkok in late November 2025.
- Learning and Insight Conference expected to take place in early 2027 (venue to be confirmed).
ESTIMATED TIMELINE (Please note these dates are subject to change):
- Launch of Call for Applications: Tuesday 1st July 2025.
- Webinar 1 – ‘Introduction to the Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative’: Wednesday 9th July (1530-1630 Bangkok time). This session introduces the SYCP Initiative’s objective and key partners: the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Agence Française de développement (AFD), and the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice (AoS). Click here to join the meeting (Meeting ID: 324 099 423 484 7; Passcode: 7DW9uJ94).
- Webinar 2 – ‘How to apply for funding from the SYCP Initiative’: Tuesday 15th July (1530-1630 Bangkok time). Learn how to navigate the online application form and submit your application in this Q&A session. To get the most out of this webinar, please read the application form beforehand and come prepared with your questions. Click here to join the meeting (Meeting ID: 350 952 250 956 9; Passcode: VB6A4eT7).
- Deadline to submit applications: Sunday 17th August 2025 (2359 Bangkok time).
- Communication to selected candidates: Monday 15th September 2025 (estimated).
- Grant starting date: Wednesday 15th October 2025 (estimated).