Sports for Peace Project- Consultancy

Brief introduction about the project

The Sport for Peace project is now entering its third phase, building on the successes and lessons learned from earlier initiatives in Zgharta and Mankoubin. This phase represents a transformative step forward, using sports for individual growth and as a foundation for creating a more inclusive and peaceful society within established institutions.

In this new phase, we aim to further scale the project by:

1. Continuing our engagement with youth and parents in Zgharta and Mankoubin to deepen their skills and foster communities capable of initiating peacebuilding activities in their regions.

2. Expanding our efforts to local schools and informal education settings by integrating the Sport for Peace methodology into their curricula to promote holistic student development.

3. Collaborating with sports clubs to implement conflict transformation tools, focusing on the holistic development of athletes and emphasizing improved teamwork and performance.

Context

The Sport for Peace project in Lebanon serves as a pioneering initiative to promote peacebuilding and support the integration of marginalized communities through the transformative power of sports. Drawing inspiration from successful pilot projects in Lebanon and around the world, the project aims to utilize sports as a method of fostering social cohesion and building a peaceful society. In Lebanon, the Sport for Project focuses on empowering young people providing them with opportunities to engage in sports activities in addition to parents, schools sports clubs. Through these activities, the participants from diverse backgrounds can come together, form friendships, and establish connections that transcend ethnic and social affiliations. Sport, as a unifying force, has the ability to create a sense of belonging to a group or community, promoting understanding and cooperation among individuals. By incorporating pedagogically valuable approaches, such as utilizing sports, games, and physical activities, the project aims to empower personal and social competencies,and  conflict transformation tools, including tolerance, respect, and fair play. By nurturing these values, the Sport for Development program contributes to the development of individuals' character and social skills, which are crucial for peaceful coexistence.

Tasks to be completed by the consultant: 

a) Program Design, Strategy, and Advisory:

• Participate in strategic planning discussions to shape the project's overall direction and provide expert recommendations for maximizing impact.
• Develop intervention models that integrate peace education into sports, customizing approaches for different target groups and institutions
• Provide advisory support on customizing methodologies for different cultural, social, and logistical realities in each location.

b) Capacity Building and Technical Support:

• Design and lead trainings/workshops for coaches, ensuring long-term capacity building and professional growth.
• Provide ongoing mentorship and professional development for coaches to enhance their leadership and conflict transformation skills.
• Introduce new tools, techniques, and innovative methods for coaches and facilitators to improve engagement and learning outcomes.
• Support coaches in refining their facilitation skills and adapting activities to suit different participant needs.
• Conduct field visits and support sessions for the coaches when necessary
• Organize and conduct special events, activities, play days, and sports tournaments.

c) Research, Documentation, and Knowledge Production:

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to inform project design, adaptation, and evaluation.
• Develop learning materials (activity sheets, booklet …) to support coaches and participants in sports for development initiatives.
• Pilot new approaches, game formats, and methodologies to test and evaluate their effectiveness before scaling.

d) Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy:

• Facilitate dialogues with project partners, institutions, and community stakeholders to ensure alignment and collaboration.

e) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL):

• Develop and refine M&E frameworks to ensure effective tracking of progress, impact, and project outcomes.
• Design qualitative and quantitative data collection tools to support monitoring and evaluation.
• Analyze data to generate insights and recommendations for program improvements, strategic adjustments, and replication.
• Engage in learning and reflection processes with project teams and partners to enhance implementation and outcomes.
• Document lessons learned and ensure the transfer of knowledge to strengthen future programming.

f) Innovation, Experimentation, and Crisis Management:

• Explore and implement innovative and context-relevant strategies to increase engagement and effectiveness of S4D interventions.
• Address challenges in coach and participant engagement, intervening when issues arise to ensure smooth implementation.
• Guide conflict-sensitive approaches to ensure activities promote peace and social cohesion.
• Support difficult conversations and help coaches constructively navigate sensitive topics.

g) Sustainability and Exit Strategy Planning:

• Develop local leadership and ownership strategies to transfer responsibility to community-based actors.
• Create knowledge transfer mechanisms to preserve best practices and ensure ongoing learning.
• Provide strategic recommendations for institutionalizing sport for development approaches within schools, clubs, and community settings.