Olympic Refuge Foundation Collaborative Action Grant 2026: Up to USD 50,000 for Sport and Displacement Initiatives Supporting Refugees Through Climate Action and Gender Inclusion

Organizations working at the intersection of sport, displacement, refugee inclusion, climate resilience, and gender equality now have an exciting opportunity to access funding and support through the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) Collaborative Action Grant 2026.

Launched through the Sports for Refugees Coalition (SfRC), this funding opportunity invites organizations to develop innovative, collaborative projects that use sport as a tool for inclusion, empowerment, resilience, and social change. Successful projects can receive grants of up to USD 50,000 to pilot new initiatives that strengthen support for refugees and displaced communities while promoting meaningful refugee participation.

The 2026 funding call places a special focus on organizations operating in Latin America and specific regions of Africa, including the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, and the Great Lakes region. Through this initiative, the Olympic Refuge Foundation seeks to encourage cross-sector partnerships, foster innovation, and scale impactful solutions that improve the lives of refugees and host communities.

About the Olympic Refuge Foundation

The Olympic Refuge Foundation was established to support young people affected by displacement through sport. Working with partners worldwide, the Foundation creates opportunities for refugees and displaced communities to access safe spaces, develop life skills, improve well-being, and strengthen social inclusion through sports-based programming.

The Foundation believes that sport can be a powerful tool for healing, empowerment, protection, and community cohesion. By investing in organizations and initiatives that place refugees at the center of programme design and implementation, the ORF continues to build a global movement that leverages sport for positive social impact.

In 2025 alone, the Olympic Refuge Foundation reached more than 33,000 young people through its various programmes and partnerships.

What Is the Collaborative Action Grant?

The Collaborative Action Grant is a funding mechanism launched through the Sports for Refugees Coalition to support new partnerships and innovative projects that address challenges faced by refugees and displaced populations.

The grant aims to:

• Encourage collaboration among Coalition members.
• Pilot innovative solutions using sport.
• Promote refugee leadership and participation.
• Strengthen cross-sector partnerships.
• Address urgent social and environmental challenges.
• Generate scalable and sustainable models for inclusion.

The programme recognizes that some of the most effective solutions emerge when organizations work together, combining expertise, resources, and networks to create stronger impact.

Funding Available

Selected projects can receive:

• Grants of up to USD 50,000.
• Technical support through Coalition networks.
• Visibility within the global sport-for-development community.
• Opportunities to strengthen partnerships.
• Potential pathways for future scaling and sustainability.

The funding is intended to support project design, implementation, community engagement, monitoring, and learning activities.

Priority Themes for 2026

The 2026 grant cycle focuses on two key thematic areas that align with some of the most pressing global challenges affecting displaced populations.

1. Promoting Gender Diversity and Inclusion Through Sport

This thematic area seeks projects that use sport to:

• Advance gender equality.
• Increase participation of women and girls.
• Promote diversity and inclusion.
• Challenge discrimination and harmful stereotypes.
• Create safe and accessible sporting environments.
• Empower marginalized populations.

Organizations are encouraged to design initiatives that leverage sport as a platform for social transformation and equal opportunity.

2. Mobilizing Sport for Climate-Affected Communities

Climate change is increasingly becoming a driver of displacement and vulnerability worldwide.

Projects under this theme may focus on:

• Climate resilience.
• Environmental awareness.
• Community adaptation strategies.
• Supporting displaced populations affected by climate-related crises.
• Strengthening community cohesion through sport.
• Youth engagement in climate action.

The Foundation is particularly interested in innovative ideas that combine sport, environmental sustainability, and refugee inclusion.

Geographic Priorities

While organizations from the Sports for Refugees Coalition may apply broadly, the 2026 call prioritizes concepts from:

Latin America

Projects supporting refugee and displaced communities across Latin American countries are strongly encouraged.

African Priority Regions

Special consideration will be given to projects operating in:

• Horn of Africa
• Sahel Region
• Great Lakes Region

These regions continue to experience significant displacement challenges, making innovative community-based solutions particularly important.

Who Can Apply?

Applications must be submitted through collaborative partnerships.

Eligible applicants include:

Sports for Refugees Coalition Members

The lead applicant must be a member organization of the Sports for Refugees Coalition.

Partnership Requirement

Applications must be submitted jointly by:

• One Sports for Refugees Coalition member organization; and
• At least one additional Sports for Refugees Coalition member partner.

Organizations that are not yet members of the Coalition may join on an ongoing basis and become eligible to participate in future collaborative opportunities.

Refugee Participation Requirement

One of the most important components of the grant is meaningful refugee participation.

Successful projects should demonstrate:

• Refugee involvement in project design.
• Refugee leadership and decision-making.
• Community consultation.
• Inclusion of lived experiences.
• Co-creation of solutions.
• Accountability to refugee communities.

Projects that place refugees at the center of programme implementation are likely to be more competitive.

What Types of Projects Are Encouraged?

The Foundation welcomes innovative ideas that combine sport and social impact.

Examples may include:

• Community sports programmes.
• Leadership development initiatives.
• Inclusion campaigns.
• Gender empowerment through sport.
• Environmental education through sports activities.
• Refugee-led sporting events.
• Climate resilience projects linked to sport.
• Social cohesion programmes.
• Youth engagement activities.
• Sports-based advocacy campaigns.

Projects should demonstrate clear objectives, measurable impact, and potential for replication or scaling.

Learning from Previous Grant Recipients

The 2025 Collaborative Action Grant supported four projects, each receiving USD 50,000.

The funded initiatives were implemented across:

• Lebanon
• Germany
• Cyprus
• Greece

These projects focused on:

Bridging Communities

Initiatives that highlighted the role of cities and communities in promoting inclusion and social cohesion.

Sport Against Hate

Projects that used sport to combat:

• Discrimination
• Misinformation
• Hate speech
• Social exclusion

All funded projects demonstrated strong refugee participation and were developed through newly established partnerships between Coalition members.

The success of these projects illustrates the Foundation’s commitment to supporting collaborative, innovative, and scalable approaches.

Find a full list of SfRC members here, updated as of the launch of the call for
concepts: Sport-for-Refugees-Coalition-Members.pdf

Why This Opportunity Matters

Displacement remains one of the defining challenges of our time. Millions of refugees and displaced people face barriers to inclusion, education, employment, and community participation.

Sport has proven to be a powerful tool for:

• Building confidence.
• Creating safe spaces.
• Promoting inclusion.
• Encouraging dialogue.
• Strengthening resilience.
• Supporting mental well-being.
• Bridging cultural divides.

By investing in collaborative initiatives that combine sport with climate action and gender inclusion, the Olympic Refuge Foundation is helping to build stronger, more resilient communities around the world.

Application Deadline

Organizations must submit their concept notes by:

5 July 2026

Early preparation is strongly recommended, particularly for organizations seeking to establish new partnerships and develop collaborative project proposals.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should:

1. Review the official concept note and guidance documents.
2. Ensure they meet Sports for Refugees Coalition membership requirements.
3. Identify a partner organization within the Coalition.
4. Develop a concept aligned with one of the priority themes.
5. Demonstrate meaningful refugee participation.
6. Submit the concept before the application deadline.

Organizations interested in future opportunities may also consider joining the Sports for Refugees Coalition.

Application portal: email concepts to applications@olympicrefugefoundation.org

Visit HERE to learn more about the Olympic Refuge Foundation Collaborative Action Grant 2026.

Conclusion

The Olympic Refuge Foundation Collaborative Action Grant 2026 represents a valuable opportunity for organizations working at the intersection of sport and displacement to access funding, strengthen partnerships, and develop innovative solutions that improve the lives of refugees and displaced communities. With grants of up to USD 50,000 available, the programme encourages collaborative action focused on gender inclusion and climate resilience while ensuring that refugee voices remain central to project design and implementation. For organizations committed to using sport as a force for social impact, inclusion, and empowerment, this funding opportunity provides both the resources and the platform to create meaningful, lasting change.

Discover more global Grant opportunities on OFY HERE.