Laureus Sport for Good

Laureus Sport for Good was founded in response to Nelson Mandela’s challenge issued at the first Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco in 2000 that “sport has the power to change the world”.   

Our vision is “using the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage. Proving that sport can change the world”.

We support more than 100 sports-based community programmes in 35 countries to combat social challenges facing children and young people.

Every programme which we support is addressing at least one of the following six social issues, which are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• Health: Enhancing mental wellbeing and encouraging healthy behaviour change
• Education: Increased access to and completion of education
• Women and Girls: Promoting equality, empowerment and safety
• Employability: Developing skills and creating pathways to employment
• Inclusive Society: Creating communities which embrace ethnic, cultural and physical differences
• Peaceful Society: Resolving conflict, promoting community peace-building and creating safe spaces

We are a global leader in the sport for development sector, strengthening it through impact measurement, research and knowledge-sharing.

Laureus Sport for Good carries the unanimous endorsement of the Laureus World Sports Academy & Ambassadors, role models and icons of sport who volunteer their time in support of Laureus.  Through this unique body, we are highlighting serious social issues faced by children and young people and unlocking more funding through advocacy and communications.

Laureus Sport for Good was founded by Richemont and Daimler in 2000 to use the power of sport to make social change. Today, with its core operating costs still met mainly by the founders, and Mercedes-Benz and  IWC Schaffhausen, Laureus Sport for Good has grown into a global movement with other partners, such as Allianz, Comic Relief and Dietmar Hopp Stiftung supporting our work.  This means we can help even more children and young people overcome violence, discrimination and disadvantage in their lives through sport.