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Case study: Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative

Case study: Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative

A groundbreaking programme initiated by the International Olympic Committee and the Agence française de développement to build safer and more resilient communities across Southeast Asia through sport, supported by a consortium of partners co-ordinated by the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice. Running until July 2027.

The Challenge

Youth crime, violence and anti-social behaviour present significant challenges to community safety, public health and sustainable development. Across Southeast Asia, ASEAN member states have acknowledged the role of sport in building safer and more resilient communities.

Our Approach

The SYCP Initiative harnesses the power of sport to reduce youth crime and violence by strengthening cross-sector partnerships, investing in community-led projects in Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, while also facilitating training, learning and knowledge exchange across the broader region.

These four countries were selected for their regional influence, strong civil-society presence, and sporting achievements. Their leadership will catalyse ASEAN-wide expansion, ensuring that the impact of this initiative extends across the region.

What we did

  • Co-created a Theory of Change and Collective Impact Framework with key stakeholders to define pathways for change, guide investment in community-led programmes, and build an evidence base for impact measurement and coordination.
  • Developed national and regional networks of cross-sector partners and system leaders to enhance coordination, facilitate knowledge exchange, and support programme delivery.
  • Working with key partners, co-ordinated investment in community-led, sport-based holistic crime prevention projects.
  • Provided training and capacity building for multi-agency professionals across Southeast Asia to strengthen the use of sport in youth crime prevention.
  • Established a regional Community of Practice to connect stakeholders, share knowledge, and support continuous learning. This includes conferences, virtual webinars, an online knowledge repository, interactive discussion platforms, and evaluation mechanisms.

The Impact

  • Invested over one million Euros in youth crime prevention projects.
  • Projected to directly impact over 10,000 young people across Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
  • Develop the next generation of sport and youth crime leaders in the region.
  • Strengthened collaboration across justice, sport, and social sectors, fostering a united approach to youth crime prevention.

Voices from the Programme

Ollie Dudfield, the IOC’s Olympism365 Associate Director:

“This initiative will further demonstrate how sport can play an important role in empowering young people and making communities safer. The Olympism365 Summit showed how cross-sector collaboration can make a real and lasting difference in people’s lives. This programme is a tangible example of sport and criminal justice stakeholders working together to promote the strengths of young people and reduce risk factors leading to involvement in antisocial behaviour and youth crime.”

Laureline Triby, Head of the Social Link Division for AFD:

“AFD is proud to launch this new programme in Southeast Asia with the IOC and a consortium of implementing partners led by the Alliance of Sport. This initiative will strongly contribute to reinforcing the role of sport in youth crime prevention strategies. We are looking forward to working together with the public sector, the sport movement and civil society organisations to accelerate the contribution of sport to youth empowerment and build safer and more resilient communities.”

Tawee Sodsong, Justice Minister of Thailand:

“The Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention Initiative demonstrates how sport can play a strategic role in reducing youth crime and strengthening community resilience. I commend this initiative’s commitment to generating robust data and cross-sector learning. The example of Pencak Silat youth engagement programme in Thailand’s deep south is the evidence of crime prevention. I also hope ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) will increasingly use sports to reintegrate former prisoners and offenders into society turning them into productive coaches or athletes, thereby contributing to the SDGs.”

Resources

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