Youth Charter Responds to International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) $200M Community Investment Pledge with Global Community Campus Initiative
The Youth Charter has announced a bold plan to scale its proven Community Campus model globally, responding to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recent $200 million pledge to strengthen community engagement through sport.
Unveiled shortly after the Olympism365 Summit in Lausanne, the initiative aims to establish 10 Community Campuses by 2030 in high-need urban and rural areas.
The goal: harness the power of sport, arts, culture, and digital engagement to tackle youth disaffection, violence, inequality, and limited opportunities.
“The IOC has recognised the power of sport as a global force for hope, humanity, and sustainable development,” said Professor Geoff Thompson, MBE FRSA DL, Founder and Chair of Youth Charter.
“Our Community Campuses provide the infrastructure, programming, and purpose to turn that vision into real-world impact where it’s needed most.”
Local Hubs, Global Impact
At their core, the Community Campuses are safe, inclusive spaces for young people to play, learn, and grow.
Each site will offer:
- Youth-led programs focused on leadership, volunteering, and enterprise
- Local versions of “Mini-Olympics” and community festivals
- Support services addressing education, mental health, and life skills
- Programming aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Olympism365 agenda
Over the past three decades, the Youth Charter’s model has shown measurable impact in boosting school attendance, reducing youth crime, and improving overall well-being.
By expanding this framework globally, the organisation hopes to replicate that success at scale.
Turning Commitments into Action
The IOC’s $200 million pledge marked a significant moment in recognising sport as a driver of sustainable development.
But, as Professor Thompson noted, meaningful change requires more than investment—it requires collaboration.
Youth Charter is now calling on:
- IOC and Olympic Movement stakeholders
- UN agencies and sport-for-development networks
- National governments, cities, and philanthropic partners
The vision is to co-invest in the implementation of Community Campuses as part of a shared global legacy—a tangible outcome of the Olympism365 commitments that goes beyond host cities and Games cycles.
Knowledge Sharing and Accountability
To support this global roll-out, Youth Charter will also launch a Global Knowledge Exchange Platform.
This digital hub will allow partners and practitioners to share best practices, track impact, and build community-driven solutions.
A new Legacy Report is also in development, compiling more than 30 years of Youth Charter data, impact stories, and insights from projects across the UK, Africa, and beyond.
The report will provide a blueprint for how sport-led community development can be delivered, monitored, and scaled.
“Together, we can empower a new generation of young people to thrive through the Olympic spirit,” said Thompson.
“Now is the time to act—with purpose, partnership, and passion.”
Toward 2032 and Beyond
As the world looks ahead to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Youth Charter’s initiative offers a powerful way to transform the IOC’s pledge from headline to legacy.
The Community Campus model not only gives young people a place to belong but also a pathway to lead, learn, and shape the future of their communities.
From local playgrounds to global platforms, the initiative calls for a shared accountability and investment in the next generation, delivered through the values and unifying power of sport.
About Youth Charter
Founded in 1993, the Youth Charter is a UK-based international development agency that uses sport, arts, and culture to support youth empowerment, education, and social justice.
Over the past three decades, the organisation has worked across five continents, reaching over one million young people through community programs, policy advocacy, and global partnerships.
Its mission is to tackle youth inequality by creating spaces and opportunities for young people to thrive—physically, mentally, and socially.
