adidas Foundation Expression of Interest – Recovery Through Sport
The adidas Foundation is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from organizations interested in becoming long-term strategic partners for its new Recovery Through Sport programme.
The programme focuses on supporting children and young people as they rebuild their wellbeing, confidence, and sense of normalcy after crises through sport and physical activity.
Bring What Works. Build What’s Missing.
The adidas Foundation is launching Recovery Through Sport as a new programme area and is seeking up to three strategic partner organizations to co-design and shape the initiative.
The Programme
Recovery Through Sport explores the role that sport and physical activity can play in supporting the recovery of children and young people affected by crisis and displacement, where the appropriate conditions exist.
The Expression of Interest
This Expression of Interest is not requesting completed project proposals.
Instead, the Foundation wants to understand what organizations already bring, including:
- Recovery practice
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) capacity
- Robust safeguarding systems
- Operational reach
- Experience with sport or physical activity
- Learning culture
- Commitment to long-term collaboration
Partner Profile
The Foundation is looking for organizations that already have strong existing programmes and are willing to strengthen, adapt, test, and develop new approaches together.
About This Expression of Interest
The adidas Foundation intends to select up to three organizations for long-term strategic partnerships under the Recovery Through Sport programme.
Programming, funding arrangements, learning priorities, and ways of working will be developed jointly with the selected partners.
The Foundation has already completed extensive preparatory work with an independent consortium of experts in:
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)
- Sport
- Physical activity
This included research, evidence reviews, and consultations with organizations across the humanitarian, MHPSS, and sport-for-development sectors, resulting in the framework that will guide Recovery Through Sport.
This is a partner selection process, not a project proposal competition.
Research findings indicate that:
- Sport is not a substitute for humanitarian response.
- Sport is not a quick intervention.
- Where conditions are appropriate, sport and physical activity can help restore:
- Routine
- Social connection
- Belonging
- Agency
- Safe participation for children and young people affected by crises.
The Foundation also acknowledges that the evidence base remains limited, particularly in lower-resourced crisis and displacement settings. Selected partnerships are expected to contribute to strengthening this evidence.
The Foundation is therefore seeking organizations with:
- Demonstrated experience
- Strong systems
- Operational reach
- Trusted local presence
- Capacity to operate effectively in complex and changing humanitarian contexts
Selected partners will work together with the Foundation to identify suitable contexts, assess readiness, and design programmes that respond to local realities.
Expression of Interest Guidelines
All interested organizations should carefully read the complete Expression of Interest Guidelines before submitting an application.
The guidelines include:
- Full partner profile
- Eligibility criteria
- Submission questions
- Process details
- Selection process
Key Information
The guidelines provide information on:
- The type of partner being sought
- What this process is not intended for
- How to respond
- Selection process and key dates
- Webinar information
- Contact details
Submission Period
Applications are open from: 15 July 2026 to 30 August 2026 at 11:59 PM CEST
Key Figures
- €6,000,000 total funding commitment across all selected partners and potential programme activities.
- 1–3 strategic partners will be selected.
- 3+ years initial partnership period, with potential for extension.
- 30 August 2026 submission deadline.
Why Partner with the adidas Foundation?
The Recovery Through Sport partnership is designed as a long-term strategic collaboration rather than a traditional grant relationship.
The Foundation emphasizes:
- Evidence-based programming
- Strong safeguarding standards
- High-quality implementation
- Collaborative programme design and learning
Partners can expect:
Multi-Year Funding
Funding committed for an initial period of at least three years, designed for continuity rather than short-term project cycles.
Evidence-Informed Approach
A programme framework developed through research and sector-wide consultation.
Co-Development
Close collaboration on programme design, implementation approaches, learning, and continuous improvement.