To be considered, projects must demonstrate a credible revenue-generation model, even if supported by patient or concessional financing structures. While the Fund maintains a strong impact-first orientation, it will only support projects that present a realistic capacity to repay the financing provided, aligned with their operational model and context. Initiatives relying exclusively on grant-based income models will not be eligible for financing through the GSIF’s core investment instruments.

Purpose

• The purpose of the EOI is to:
  • Prepare a high-quality project pipeline ahead of the Fund’s first closing
  • Identify investment-ready opportunities or projects needing targeted technical structuring
  • Build confidence and transparency with future investors and partners
  • Accelerate the future deployment phase of the Fund (post-closing)

Priority Areas

• The GSIF will focus on four strategic categories of investment that collectively reflect the Fund’s ambition to deliver measurable social impact, promote inclusion, and foster sustainable development through sport.
• Each category combines a strong developmental rationale with the potential for longterm sustainability, understood in its financial, social, and environmental dimensions:
  • Financial sustainability, through revenue generation, cost recovery, or productivity gains;
  • Social sustainability, through improved health outcomes, inclusion, and reduced public costs (e.g. in health or education);
  • Environmental sustainability, through reduced ecological footprints, improved resilience, and climate adaptation.
• Priority investment areas:
  • Inclusive community sports infrastructure
  • Human capital development initiatives (academies, skills training…)
  • Multi-functional sport and wellness hubs
  • Community-based sport for development programs

Funding Information 

• Projects must request an investment amount from the Fund within one of the following two categories:
  • Between EUR 500,000 and EUR 1.5 million for a broad range of initiatives, including pilot projects and targeted scale-up operations.
  • Between EUR 1.5 million and EUR 5 million mainly for, but not limited to, infrastructure-based initiatives or interventions with a broader ecosystem or territorial scope.

Who can apply?

• The Fund embraces the principles of blended finance, aiming to crowd in public, philanthropic, and private capital toward high-impact sport-for-development projects. As such, a wide range of institutional applicants may be eligible, provided they meet the Fund’s criteria for impact alignment, financial sustainability, and governance.
• Lead applicants may include:
  • Public authorities or entities
    • Local or municipal governments
    • National or regional government bodies (e.g. ministries, sport agencies)
    • State-owned enterprises or public operators
  • Civil society organizations
    • NGOs, foundations, or community-based organizations with legal status
    • Must demonstrate fiduciary capacity and implementation track record
  • Sport federations/Olympic committees
    • Must operate under a non-profit or public legal structure
  • Social enterprises/private operators
    • Eligible only if the project clearly serves a public interest, with a strong developmental and social impact rationale;
    • Structure subject to enhanced governance, accountability, and impact transparency requirements, including:
      • A clearly defined social mission, preferably embedded in the entity’s legal statutes;
      • Asset lock mechanisms, ensuring that profits and assets remain dedicated to the with restrictions on dividend distribution and provisions for asset allocation in case of wind-downs;
      • Impact reporting obligations aligned with the Fund’s MEL framework;
      • Inclusive governance (e.g. representation of beneficiaries or independent stakeholders in advisory boards or oversight structures).

For more information, visit Coalition for Sustainable Development through Sport.

https://gsif.coalition-sport.org/