Social Development Hub Welcomed as an Associate Member of World Sport for All

World Sport for All is pleased to announce that the Social Development Hub (SDH), a non-profit organisation bas ed in Cape Verde, has been recognised as an Associate Member of World Sport for All.

This new membership strengthens the international network of World Sport for All and represents an important step towards expanding cooperation in the fields of inclusive sport, community development, youth empowerment and social innovation.

Founded in 2024, the Social Development Hub works to create collaborative networks among civil society organisations, using sport, education, culture and innovation as tools to promote human development and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Based in Palmarejo, Praia, SDH operates through three main areas: the Social Academy, which provides education and capacity-building for civil society organisations; Kumunidadi, a community intervention programme focused on local participation and social inclusion; and the Social Innovation Lab, which supports partnerships, project development and the replication of successful initiatives.

Sport occupies a central position in the work of the Social Development Hub. Through its connection with the CUFA network and its community-based initiatives, SDH uses sport—particularly football—as a means of promoting citizenship, leadership, education, social cohesion and participation among young people and communities that are often under-represented in traditional sport structures.

Its activities include the Cape Verde Favelas Cup, initiatives linked to Taça das Favelas and EmpowerHer Cape Verde, and the Kumunidadi Fest, which brings together sport, culture and community participation. These projects reflect SDH’s commitment to using sport not only as a recreational activity, but also as a powerful instrument for personal development, social inclusion and community transformation.

The recognition of SDH as an Associate Member reflects the strong alignment between the organisation’s mission and the objectives of World Sport for All. It also acknowledges SDH’s international outlook, its experience in building partnerships and its ability to connect grassroots organisations, educational institutions, public and private stakeholders and international networks.

“Sport has the unique ability to bring people together, create opportunities and strengthen communities. The membership of the Social Development Hub offers World Sport for All an important opportunity to increase its presence in Cape Verde and to develop new initiatives in Africa and in the Portuguese-speaking world,” said Marco Tomasini, CEO of the World Sport for All.

“Becoming an Associate Member of World Sport for All is an important milestone for the Social Development Hub. It will allow us to contribute to a global movement that recognises sport as a fundamental tool for inclusion, education, citizenship and sustainable development. We look forward to developing concrete initiatives and sharing our experience with partners around the world,” said Susana Duarte, President of the Social Development Hub.

The membership will create opportunities for World Sport for All and the Social Development Hub to collaborate in several areas, including:

• The development of inclusive Sport for All programmes in Cape Verde and other communities.

• The promotion of grassroots, urban, traditional and community-based sports.

• The organisation of activities for young people, women and communities facing social or economic barriers.

• The exchange of knowledge and good practices in sport, education, social inclusion and sustainable development.

• The development of training activities through the Social Academy and the World Sport for All network.

• The preparation of joint projects and applications for international cooperation and funding programmes.

• The promotion of research and policy initiatives related to sport, inclusion, youth participation and community resilience.

• The creation of new links between national federations, civil society organisations, educational institutions and international partners.

Through this partnership, World Sport for All and the Social Development Hub will seek to transform shared objectives into practical initiatives that increase access to sport and strengthen the role of sport as a driver of positive social change.

The new membership also contributes to the international development of World Sport for All by reinforcing its links with West Africa and with Lusophone communities. At the same time, it provides SDH with a platform for engaging with national and international organisations committed to the promotion of sport for everyone.

World Sport for All warmly welcomes the Social Development Hub to its international family and looks forward to a productive, long-term partnership in support of inclusive participation, community empowerment and sustainable development through sport.

 About the Social Development Hub

The Social Development Hub is a Cape Verdean non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening civil society and promoting human development through sport, education, culture and social innovation.

Its mission is to create synergies among civil society organisations, support community leaders, develop innovative solutions and promote sustainable initiatives in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Through its Social Academy, Kumunidadi programme and Social Innovation Lab, SDH works with communities, young people, women, civil society organisations, educational institutions and international partners to create opportunities for participation, learning and social transformation.