Bangkok (Thailand), Nov 28 (NationPress) The International Olympic Committee (IOC) along with the French Development Agency (AFD) are set to allocate over EUR 1 million to facilitate community-driven sports initiatives that aim to curb youth crime and promote social inclusion.

Eleven organizations from Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam have been chosen as the inaugural recipients of the Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative, a pioneering program spearheaded by the IOC and AFD. This initiative is designed to enhance sport-oriented projects that work towards fostering safer and more resilient communities in Southeast Asia by utilizing sports as a means to combat youth crime.

The announcement took place during the first SYCP Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, which is part of the lead-up to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games scheduled for December 2025.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the representatives of these organizations. We are honored to welcome you to the conference as valued collaborators in advancing our shared mission,” expressed IOC Member Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul at the conference opening. “Through these projects, we will be able to further create evidence on how sport can serve as a catalyst for more resilient and safer communities by providing safe spaces for young people.”

According to this program:

In Lao PDR, the Community Health and Inclusion Association (CHIA) will collaborate with the national Wheelchair Basketball Federation and Rugby Federation to implement sports programs aimed at supporting at-risk youth.

The Gender Development Association (GDA) will launch a multi-sport initiative in the isolated province of Phongsaly, Lao PDR, promoting youth resilience and inclusion.

In the Philippines, A Child’s Trust is Ours to Nurture (ACTION) will engage vulnerable youth through karate.

The University of San Jose–Recoletos, in partnership with the justice and sports sectors, will provide basketball coaching clinics and leadership training for out-of-school youth and those from at-risk backgrounds.

The Philippines Rugby Union will implement its Pass It Back curriculum, fusing non-contact rugby with leadership, gender equity, and social-emotional learning.

In one of Manila’s most crowded urban areas, the Fair Play for All Foundation will enhance resilience and inclusion through structured sports pathways and mentoring.

In Thailand, the Playbook project executed by PlayOnSide and the Dare Network will offer rehabilitation and reintegration pathways for youth in conflict with the law, alongside prevention and support programs for migrant and refugee youth.

A collaboration between the Thai Hockey Association and the NGO Nusantara will engage young individuals through sport-based life skills training, mentorship, and community initiatives via the Play for Peace on the Field of Hope project, which aims to bolster social cohesion.

Initiated by the IOC and AFD earlier this year and continuing until 2027, the SYCP Initiative strives to foster safer and more resilient communities by leveraging the potential of sport to deter youth crime, assist rehabilitation, and enhance social inclusion.

The execution of the program is being supported by a consortium led by the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice. The initiative will also involve national networks of sport and criminal justice stakeholders across Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. A regional Community of Practice will be established to facilitate ongoing learning through conferences, virtual webinars, an online knowledge hub, and shared evaluation tools.