Who we are

The Youth Development through Football (YDF) project started in 2007 as a legacy of the 2006 Football World Cup™ in Germany, and will end in December 2013. It is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA). 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, until end of 2012, it was co-funded by the European Union.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH draws on a wealth of regional and technical competence and tried-and-tested management expertise. As a federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development.

Within the framework of German Development Cooperation with South Africa, GIZ supports the sustainable realisation of the country's policies of poverty alleviation, particulalry among the disadvantaged groups of the population. In South Africa, GIZ focuses on Governance and Administration, Climate Change and Energy, and HIV and AIDS Prevention. In addition, the organisaiton runs programmes on youth and skills development.

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.