The tenth anniversary of the Fund, celebrated this year, represents a strategic opportunity to take stock of progress achieved, enhance implementation and increase sustainability. Accordingly, Members convened, for the third Approval Committee meeting of the 2016-2017 biennium, to exchange ideas around the Fund’s revitalization, strengthened partnerships and future activities. A significant part of these discussions was the urgency for resource mobilization if the Fund, as a public asset, is to continue supporting least developed countries in the roll-out of much needed in-country activities.

A series of proposals were debated for continued reflection during the next meeting of the Bureau of the Conference of Parties (COP), taking place in Romania, on 29 June, before submission to the COP6 to be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, from 25 to 26 September 2017.

In terms of advancing the anti-doping fight on the ground, the Committee approved 11 initiatives (including one regional project) worth approximately US$215,000. This means that, since its launch, the Fund has supported 218 projects led by 108 countries. Among the newly approved projects, three were submitted by States Parties that have never previously benefitted from the Fund (Chad, Honduras, and Ukraine).

For the first time, all applications presented to the Committee included financial contributions from the applicant, reinforcing the engagement of public authorities and the sport movement. Other positive trends include the use of multimedia tools, values-based outreach campaigns and broad multi-stakeholder partnerships at national, regional and international levels.

The following projects were approved by the Committee:

• Workshop for athletes, trainers and coaches “I DO PLAY FAIR” (Honduras)
• “Juego Limpio, un compromiso de todos” (“Fair Play, a commitment for all”): Anti-Doping education for athletes and coaches (Paraguay)
• Clean sport in school and at school sport competitions (Slovenia)
• Enhancing the effectiveness of the national anti-doping education programs for wrestlers in partnership with International Federations (Armenia)
• Training session for anti-doping education agents on their roles and responsibilities in the fight against doping (Mali)
• Anti-Doping awareness and education among Ukrainian athletes (Ukraine)
• Preventing doping in sports: a media-based educational campaign (Malta)
• Nutritional supplements in fitness centres: necessity or lifestyle (Bulgaria)
• Anti-Doping capacity-building project for senior government officials and sports authority personnel (Botswana, regional project)
• Training and sensitization programme on the dangers of doping for athletes, sports clubs officials, coaches and national technical directors (Chad)
• Anti-Doping Education towards Lima 2019 (Peru)

For more information, visit the Fund’s website.