Islamabad: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced the launch of the IOC Young Leaders 2025-2028 Programme, designed to empower young individuals through sport to enact social change and contribute to sustainable development. This initiative offers a unique platform for young leaders, aged 20-28, to develop and implement sport-based projects addressing local challenges.
According to Pakistan Olympic Association, the programme includes comprehensive support for participants, such as CHF 10,000 in seed funding, virtual learning sessions, leadership coaching, and opportunities to network with global experts. The curriculum covers a range of topics, from the fundamentals of the Olympic Movement to sport-based social businesses and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key benefits of the programme include monthly workshops led by experts, exclusive access to global thought leaders and events, invitations to bi-annual IOC Youth Summits, and continuous leadership coaching and mentoring. The selection process involves a two-phase application, starting with a four-week Learning Sprint that introduces potential leaders to essential themes of the programme. Following the sprint, participants are eligible to apply for the full programme scheduled between 18 November and 16 December 2024.
The IOC and the Pakistan Olympic Association urge local sports communities and youth organizations to disseminate this information and encourage eligible young individuals to seize this opportunity to make a significant impact through their innovative projects.