adidas Foundation Moving for Change East Africa 2026 | Grants of Up to €700,000 for NGOs in Tanzania and East Africa
The adidas Foundation has launched the Moving for Change East Africa Request for Proposals (RFP), a major funding opportunity designed to support organizations using Sport for Development (S4D) to advance gender equality and create lasting social change across East Africa.
The programme invites International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) to partner with locally based Sport for Development (S4D) organizations to design and implement innovative projects that empower girls and women through sport while strengthening organizational capacity and collaboration.
This funding opportunity is open to projects in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, making it highly relevant for organizations operating in Tanzania.
Grant Overview
- Programme Name: Moving for Change East Africa
- Funding Organization: adidas Foundation
- Programme Type: Request for Proposals (RFP)
- Grant Type: Multi-Year Grant
- Eligible Countries: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia
- Eligible Applicants: International NGOs (INGOs) in partnership with locally based Sport for Development (S4D) organizations
- Maximum Grant Amount: €700,000 per project
- Total Funding Available: €2.2 million
- Project Duration: 3 Years
- Expected Project Start: First Half of 2027
- Application Language: English
- Application Deadline: 21 August 2026 (11:59 PM CEST)
About the Moving for Change Programme
Moving for Change is an adidas Foundation initiative that promotes Sport for Development (S4D) as a powerful tool for advancing gender equality and sustainable development.
Rather than funding sport activities alone, the programme supports projects that integrate sport into broader development strategies, strengthen local organizations, generate evidence, and create sustainable systems that benefit communities over the long term.
Programme Objectives
The programme seeks to:
- Advance gender equality through sport.
- Empower girls and women.
- Strengthen collaboration between INGOs and local S4D organizations.
- Build organizational capacity.
- Integrate Sport for Development into long-term programmes.
- Generate evidence and learning on the impact of sport.
- Promote knowledge sharing through a Community of Practice.
- Create sustainable and inclusive community development.
Focus Countries
Projects must be implemented in one or more of the following countries:
- Tanzania
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- Ethiopia
Priority Beneficiaries
Projects should primarily benefit:
- Girls
- Women
- Communities experiencing discrimination or exclusion
The programme encourages an intersectional approach that considers barriers related to:
- Disability
- Ethnicity
- Nationality
- Refugee status
- Faith background
- Gender identity
- Sexual orientation
- Other forms of social exclusion
Funding Available
Selected partnerships may receive:
- Up to €700,000 over three years.
- Technical support.
- Capacity-building opportunities.
- Participation in a regional Community of Practice.
- Learning and knowledge exchange.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) support.
Project Duration
- Duration: 3 Years
- Expected Start: First half of 2027
Who Can Apply?
Lead applicants must be International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) that:
- Are legally registered non-profit organizations.
- Operate independently of government control.
- Work in at least three countries.
- Have at least three years of operational presence in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and/or Uganda.
- Demonstrate experience promoting gender equality.
- Have strong safeguarding and governance systems.
- Apply jointly with a locally registered Sport for Development organization.
- Can manage grant reporting and communication in English.
- Commit to the full three-year partnership.
Partnership Requirements
Applications must include:
- One eligible INGO as the lead applicant.
- One locally based Sport for Development organization in the country of implementation.
Additional requirements include:
- The local S4D partner must receive at least 20% of the total project budget.
- The lead organization must provide at least 10% co-funding.
Eligible Activities
Projects may include:
- Community-based sport programmes.
- Gender equality initiatives.
- Leadership development for girls and women.
- Capacity building for NGOs.
- Safeguarding systems.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
- Research and evidence generation.
- Organizational development.
- Knowledge sharing and learning activities.
Selection Criteria
Applications are expected to be assessed based on:
- Relevance to programme objectives.
- Strength of the partnership.
- Organizational capacity.
- Experience in Sport for Development.
- Experience working with girls and women.
- Sustainability of the proposed project.
- Monitoring and learning approach.
- Financial and governance capacity.
Key Dates
- Applications Open: 6 July 2026
- Application Deadline: 21 August 2026 (11:59 PM CEST)
- Notification of Successful Applicants: By the end of September 2026
- Project Start: First half of 2027
Why This Opportunity Matters for Tanzanian Organizations
For organizations in Tanzania, this programme offers an opportunity to:
- Secure significant international funding.
- Build long-term partnerships with international organizations.
- Expand programmes that promote gender equality through sport.
- Strengthen institutional capacity.
- Access regional learning and networking opportunities.
- Contribute to evidence-based approaches for Sport for Development across East Africa.
Tips for Applicants
To improve your chances of success:
- Build a strong partnership with an eligible local Sport for Development organization.
- Clearly demonstrate experience in gender equality programming.
- Design sustainable, community-led interventions.
- Prepare a realistic budget.
- Ensure safeguarding and governance policies are in place.
- Submit all application materials in English before the deadline.
Official Links
adidas Foundation – Moving for Change East Africa
https://www.adidasfoundation.org/rfp/moving-for-change-east-africa
Apply for the Grant
https://www.adidasfoundation.org/rfp/moving-for-change-east-africa
Sport for Development Opportunity
Programme Information