sported. is charitable organisation which provides funding and organisational development support to groups that use sport to improve the lives of young people in disadvantaged communities. The charity was founded by Sir Keith Mills, who was formerly the Chief Executive of the London 2012 Olympic bid.
Substance has been commissioned to undertake a research project entitled, "Creating a Business Case for investment into Sport for Development Projects for Young People in Deprived Communities in the UK". The research commenced in February 2010 and will complete in February 2012. It will focus on two key requirements:
1. Capacity Building
In accordance with sported's desire to offer support to voluntary and community sector sports agencies there is a need to identify the types of organisations best placed to deliver sport for development initiatives and the support they will require to deliver their mission most effectively.
2. Demonstrating Value
In order to grow the sport for development sector, attract additional investment and square the commissioning circle there is an additional and subsequent need to generate evidence of the impact and, increasingly, the finanical savings associated with delivery agencies work.
sported. will use this research to lobby government for more funding and will share relevant information with its members to help persuade funders that they are spending their money wisely.