What we do
Turning effective practice into lasting change
Sport and physical activity can help prevent crime, reduce reoffending and improve lives. But good projects alone are not enough.
Too often, effective work remains fragmented, under-supported and difficult to scale. Evidence may not influence policy. Community organisations may struggle to access investment. Institutions may share the same ambition but lack the structures needed to coordinate action.
The Alliance of Sport helps address these challenges.
We work with governments, funders, institutions, researchers and community organisations to align policy, practice, evidence and investment around what works.
Our work focuses on two connected areas.
Collective impact programmes
We design and coordinate programmes that bring partners together around a shared ambition to build safer communities through sport and physical activity.
Our programmes connect community action with wider systems change. Depending on the context, this may include:
- developing a shared strategy and Theory of Change;
- convening cross-sector partnerships and networks;
- supporting investment in community-led action;
- strengthening leadership and capacity building;
- building evidence and shared learning;
- developing strategic communications to build engagement, share learning and strengthen influence; and
- influencing future policy and investment.
By connecting these elements, we help effective approaches grow and create the conditions for longer-term change.
Explore our programmes
Research and policy influence
We build the evidence base and turn learning into practical recommendations that can shape policy, practice and investment.
Our work may include:
- research and evidence reviews;
- policy development and strategic advice;
- impact frameworks and evaluation approaches;
- learning reports and practical toolkits;
- roundtables, inquiries and stakeholder engagement; and
- recommendations for governments, funders and institutions.
Our research is grounded in practice and lived experience. We work closely with policymakers, practitioners and communities to understand what works, why it works and how it can be strengthened or scaled.
Explore our research and policy work
How we work
– Understand the system
We map needs, policy priorities, partnership gaps and opportunities for change.
– Design collective responses
We develop strategies, partnership models, programmes and investment-ready plans.
– Coordinate action
We convene partners, support implementation and help turn shared ambition into practical change.
– Build evidence and influence
We develop research, impact frameworks and learning products that demonstrate what works and help shape future decisions.
Start a conversation
Whether you are seeking to develop a collective impact programme, strengthen the evidence base, shape policy or explore a new collaboration, we would welcome the opportunity to hear from you.