Who we are

Youth Development through Football (YDF) is a supranational programme implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) in 10 African countries. The project formed an important part of the German-South African FIFA World Cup 2010 co-operation. It is funded by the German Government and co-funded by the European Union.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is owned by the Federal Republic of Germany. It works worldwide in the fields of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education. Its mandate is to support the German Government in achieving its objectives in these fields. GIZ provides viable, forward-looking solutions for political, economic, ecological and social development in a globalised world. Sometimes working under difficult conditions, GIZ promotes complex reforms and change processes. The organisation’s corporate objective is to improve people’s lives on a sustainable basis.

Project Organization

The project is implemented and managed on a national and international level by GIZ and personnel in Pretoria, South Africa. It is implemented in partnership with the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA). YDF acts on behalf of the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project is linked to NGOs and public offices on a national and international level.

Steering committee

The project management is supported by a steering committee. It consists of representatives of the South African Department of Sport and Recreation, the National Youth Commission, the South African Football Association, GIZ in South Africa as well as NGOs working in the field of youth development through football. The steering committee may invite further members. It is chaired by the representative of the South African Department of Sports and Recreation.

The committee defines the national and international policies of YDF and priorities for the implementation on a conceptual and/or regional level. The project management submits its annual work plan for consideration and discussion to the steering committee. The committee meets at least twice a year and receives progress reports for discussion. Furthermore, the committee advises the project management on pertinent issues. Its members support YDF through advocacy activities.