>> PROJECT IDEA JULY 2015

ADDIS ABABA - ETHIOPIA

SPORT AS A TOOL

Photo Inge Bouwmans

FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
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In Ethiopia, Cordaid and partners (EiABC, WeLoveTheCity, Woreda 01, Lideta sub-city) have developed a project idea to
work on empowering children and youth by promoting sport as a tool for development. Special focus are the
neighborhoods of Lideta sub-city in Addis Ababa. Sport is a strong tool to empower children and youth with life skills.
Sport activities by their nature demand perseverance, teamwork, discipline and leadership, which in turn nurture
confidence and motivation for self development.

CONTEXT OUR APPROACH

Addis Ababa is the largest city in Ethiopia with a
population of 3.3 million. The population of Addis
Ababa is relatively young: 36% of inhabitants are
between the ages of 15 and 30.
Currently, Addis Ababa is undergoing a major ‘city
renewal’ program that aims at transforming inner
city slums, which are estimated to house more
than 80% of city dwellers. Residents from the inner
city are forced to resettle up to ten kilometers away
from the city center, while residents from the same
site are relocated to different resettlements sites,
resulting in the breakdown of social bonds. Also,
the ‘city renewal’ program does not provide space
for recreation, such as soccer fields.
The Ethiopian Youth policy (2004) emphasizes
youth participation in sports. Towards this, the
policy recommends expanding and constructing
youth-focused recreational, cultural and sport
institutions and centers by narrowing the current
gaps. The policy also recognizes the role of non-
state actors: “civil society shall have the role of undertak-
ing various capacity building activities that enable youth to
strengthen their participation and ensure their fair benefits”.
Cordaid focuses on improving slums in developing countries. We
follow an integrated multi-stakeholder approach to develop
solutions for deprived and affected neighborhoods in urban centers.
We convene and inspire the local community and other stakeholders
to develop solutions and iron out a common vision. In Addis Ababa,
we identified a slum area and developed an integrated neighborhood
plan in cooperation with local and international partners.
Solutions that target youth and children through sport is one
component and aims at promoting sport as a tool for development
in the neighborhood and schools of Woreda 01 in Lideta sub-city as a
pilot. Our goal is to implement the following activities:
▪▪ Initiate and mentor a multi-stakeholder process that involves
local youth and women groups, Community Based Organizations
(CBOs) and mandated local government offices at neighborhood
levels
▪▪ Revitalize neighborhood and school sport fields so that they can
accommodate a variety of sports and encourage friendly
participation for all
▪▪ Equip neighborhood volunteer coaches and school sport teachers
in comprehensive coaching techniques (sport, life skills,
counseling) through tailor-made trainings
▪▪ Facilitate ‘sport for all‘ campaigns and sport events in the
neighborhood & schools to sensitize the community and
authorities
SPORT AS A TOOL FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES

▪▪ Limited or lack of access to sport by girls and disabled persons
Public sport facilities with minimum standards are lacking in neighborhoods and schools. The existing sport fields are
underutilized - mostly used by boys for rough soccer games with rudimentary, locally-made balls - and in most cases
inaccessible to girls and disabled persons. It is a missed opportunity to empower children and youth through sports.
▪▪ Loss of existing sport fields to other projects
Where inner city slums renewal projects are underway, the few sport fields in slum neighborhoods and public schools are
built up with houses and with commercial- and classroom buildings. In some schools sport is becoming a classroom
activity, limited to learning from exercise books.
▪▪ Low priority to sport infrastructure development in the urban development process
There is limited awareness about the role of sport in empowering future generations, the health benefits of sport to the
whole population (chronic disease is overtaking communicable disease as major killer) and the right of citizens to access
public recreational spaces. It is a real challenge for the city, due to problems related to scarcity of resource and perception.
▪▪ Sport perceived as luxury venture
The lack of locally-managed, multi-purpose and cost-effective models of sport facilities creates a tendency to perceive sport
facilities as costly and luxury ventures compared to other needs. Therefore, sport is not regarded as a high priority.

Visualization WeLoveTheCity
Photo Cordaid

Now: Soccer field in Lideta In the future: Soccer field in Lideta

WHY SPORTS CONTACT

Sport is a strong tool to empower children and youth with life skills. It facilitates Teshome Shibru
rehabilitation & re-integration of the marginalized (street children & youth, the disabled) Program Manager
Cordaid Urban Matters Ethiopia
into mainstream society. Sport activities by their nature demand perseverance, team-
teshome.shibru@cordaid.net
work, discipline and leadership, which in turn nurture confidence and motivation for
self development. It is also possible to mainstream life skill training in sport coaching
Cordaid Ethiopia
to consolidate & maximize effects. Early engagement in sports also benefits children and Park Plaza Building, 603 - 606
youth by identifying their sport talent and motivating & guiding them to pursue it as 1000 Addis Ababa
career. Sport enhances participation, integration & cohesion by bringing people togeth- + 251 1663 2450
er. Adults, community members, children and youth interact & cooperate between and
among themselves as facilitators, supporters, competitors, champions and fans. Sport can Inge Bouwmans
be used to mobilize and empower marginalized groups, such as girls and the disabled, for Program Expert
inclusive development. This further makes mobilization for development easier and leads Cordaid Urban Matters
to realizing resilient & flourishing communities in deprived and affected neighborhoods. inge.bouwmans@cordaid.nl
Sport is a key service for young men, women and vulnerable groups, such as the disabled
Cordaid the Netherlands
who are often exposed to negative influences.
Lutherse Burgwal 10
2512 CB The Hague
+31 (0) 70 - 31 36 300
JOIN US! www.cordaid.org
In order to realize this project and empower youth in Addis Ababa through
sports, we are looking for partners and investors. CARE.
Please contact us if you are interested. ACT.
SHARE.
LIKE CORDAID.
JULY 2015 © CORDAID