International Inspiration is the official international legacy programme of the 2012 London Olympic Games. It's a partnership between UNICEF, UK Sport and the British Council. It's reached 12 million children and young people in 20 countries around the world. These photos show a few examples of our work.
Through International Inspiration, our aim is to get young people around the world, particularly those in developing countries, involved in sport and play. Sport gives children and young people opportunities to make friends, challenge themselves and enjoy just being children. But it can also help promote equality, give young people a voice, and inspire them to become leaders in their own communities.
Find out more about UNICEF's work with International Inspiration.
A young boy from Wadala community, in Mumbai plays with a football. International Inspiration has organised community sports and play activities, and provided safe spaces to play to keep children off the streets.
© UNICEF/Rajiv Kumar
Young people from Wadala community, in Mumbai take part in volleyball game. International Inspiration has organised community sports and play activities, and provided safe spaces to play to keep children off the streets
© UNICEF/Rajiv Kumar
Girls take part in a school tug of war match in New Delhi, where International Inspiration-trained community sports coaches are getting more girls involved in sport in schools.
© UNICEF/Rajiv Kumar
In South Hindupara, Bangladesh, 12-year-old Bappi talks with her family about her love of cricket, and her dreams to play at the national level for the junior team. She is part of a ‘Kishori Club’ or adolescent club, for girls, formed by UNICEF Bangladesh and BRAC, a local NGO as part of International Inspiration. They meet twice a week and talk about the benefit of outdoor sports, right to education, preventing early marriage and other issues.
© UNICEF/Naser Siddique
Young women in Koichar, Bangladesh compete in a UNICEF-organised Kabadi competition. Very few girls take part in sport in Bangladesh because traditional attitudes often restrict girls to their family homes.
© UNICEF/Shafiqul Alam Kiron
In Trinidad, young people take part in a running event with former Olympic hurdles champion and International Inspiration Ambassador Colin Jackson (far right) who visited in 2010. The event was organised by young leaders, trained through International Inspiration, who provide activities for young people in their communities to encourage them to get involved in sport.
© UNICEF/2010/Ben Duffy
In Trinidad, young runners celebrate their achievements with former Olympic hurdles champion and International Inspiration Ambassador Colin Jackson, who visited in 2010. The running event was organised by young leaders, trained through International Inspiration, who provide activities for young people in their communities to encourage them to get involved in sport.
© UNICEF/2010/Ben Duffy
In Arvoverde, Brazil, children learn circus skills at a play and sports festival, organised by International Inspiration. The festivals encourage children from local schools and communities to get involved in sport and play activities
© UNICEF/Mateus Sa
In Belo Jardim, Brazil, a young girl shows off her keepy uppy skills with team mates at a play and sports festival, organised by International Inspiration. The festivals encourage children from local schools and communities to get involved in sport and play activities.
© UNICEF/Mateus Sa
