Sustainable Goals through Sport Training Course Successfully Delivered in Kisumu, Kenya

Budapest Association for International Sports (BAIS) and Resource Hub for Development (RHD Kenya), together with the SGS project partners, successfully delivered the international Sustainable Goals through Sport training course in Kisumu, Kenya. The activity brought together international participants from the partner organisations, joined by local Kenyan participants and stakeholders, creating a dynamic learning environment of over 40 young leaders, youth workers, educators, sport coaches and NGO representatives.

The training course focused on how sport can be used as a powerful educational tool to promote sustainability, youth participation and community impact. Throughout the week, participants explored key topics such as community sport for the Sustainable Development Goals, education through sport, youth work, Europe–Africa cooperation, inclusion, environmental awareness and the role of sport in creating positive social change.

The programme was designed to combine theoretical learning, practical tool development and real-life implementation. Most mornings were dedicated to interactive workshops, discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions, where participants deepened their understanding of sport-based education and sustainability. In the afternoons, the focus shifted towards practical work, including the development and testing of educational tools, games and activities that can be used with young people in different local contexts.

A particularly valuable part of the training was the local implementation phase. Participants visited three different schools, where they had the opportunity to test sustainability-focused sport games and non-formal education activities directly with children and young people. These visits allowed participants to move from theory to practice, reflect on their facilitation methods, and better understand how sport can support learning in real community settings.

The group also visited a local NGO, called Kisumu Young Agripreneurs working on environmental sustainability and circular economy. This experience gave participants a practical insight into local environmental challenges and community-based solutions, while also creating space to reflect on how sport organisations and youth initiatives can contribute to more sustainable habits and behaviours.

During the training, participants not only played and facilitated different games focusing on sustainability, but also worked together to develop practical educational tools. These tools will support the wider SGS project and can be further adapted by partner organisations in their local communities.

Beyond the formal programme, the training course also created strong intercultural connections between participants. The group integrated very well, shared experiences from their organisations and countries, and learned a great deal from each other. Intercultural nights were organised throughout the week, giving participants the chance to present their cultures, traditions, food, music and stories in an informal and enjoyable way.

It was an intense week, full of learning, exchange, teamwork and inspiration. The training showed once again that sport can be much more than physical activity: it can be a tool for education, dialogue, inclusion and sustainable development.

As a follow-up to the training, participants will now organise local workshops and activities in their home countries, multiplying the knowledge and tools developed during the week in Kenya. Within the SGS project, partners are also preparing for the next major milestone: the Dakar Youth Engagement Festival, which will take place from 1–8 November during the Dakar Youth Olympic Games.

The festival will bring together young people, organisations and stakeholders to continue exploring how sport can contribute to sustainability, youth empowerment and global cooperation.

BAIS is proud to coordinate this cross-continental capacity-building initiative funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union. We look forward to leading the next steps of the SGS project together with all partners and participants.