The Next Move - advancing gender equity and safer sporting environments across Brazil, Argentina and ColombiaThe Next Move - advancing gender equity and safer sporting environments across Brazil, Argentina and Colombia

The project will provide flexible, multi-year general operating support to organizations operating within the sport ecosystem that are working to address the root causes and consequences of gender-based violence and discrimination. 

Eligible organizations must: 

• Be legally registered in Brazil, Colombia, or Argentina 
• Be implementing activities in their country of registration 
• Have an annual income of at least EUR 100,000 and no more than EUR 2.5 million in their most recently completed financial year 

A complete eligibility list can be found in the funding guidelines. 

Eligible organizations may include: 

• Community-based sport and sport-for-good organizations 
• Sport clubs or foundations with a demonstrated social impact mission 
• Organizations advancing girls' and women's participation in sport 
• Organizations using sport to prevent violence and discrimination 
• Organizations promoting safe sport, safeguarding and athlete wellbeing 
• Organizations working at the intersection of sport, gender justice and community development 
• Women's sport networks and advocacy organizations that combine advocacy with the delivery of sport-based programs, initiatives, or community services 

We prioritize organizations that: 

• Have a clear commitment to gender equity and inclusion 
• Demonstrate a track record of working with(in) sport 
• Reach populations disproportionately affected by gender-based violence and discrimination 
• Influence sporting environments, systems or cultures 
• Create safer and more inclusive opportunities for people affected by gender-based violence 
• Promote positive and non-violent models of masculinity 
• Have strong community trust and legitimacy 
• Reach communities experiencing intersecting forms of discrimination, including Indigenous peoples, Afro-descendant communities, migrants, LGBTQI+ people etc. 

The project prioritizes organizations working with communities in which gender-based violence, discrimination, exclusion and harmful gender norms undermine safety, trust, belonging and equitable participation in sport and community life.

Supported organizations may work with people who are disproportionately affected by violence and exclusion, people who influence or perpetuate harmful norms and behaviors, or both. This may include girls, young women and non-binary young people; boys and men; coaches and sport leaders; parents and caregivers; and wider community institutions.

Priority will be given to organizations that engage different groups and institutions to address the root causes of exclusion, strengthen positive relationships, promote healthy and non-violent masculinities, and create safer, more equitable and inclusive sporting and community environments.

Particular attention will be given to communities experiencing intersecting forms of discrimination, including Indigenous peoples, Afro-descendant communities, migrants, LGBTQI+ people and people with disabilities.

*We recognize that the identities, experiences, and specific needs of young people within each of these categories vary widely across countries, cultures, and local contexts. Belonging is shaped by self‑identification, local terminology, legal and policy environments, and social norms. Many young people may belong to multiple communities at once, experiencing overlapping forms of marginalization or discrimination. For this reason, the groups should be understood as guiding frameworks rather than rigid categories, designed to support inclusive, context‑sensitive programming and equitable access to sport and physical activity.

The application process consists of two stages:

1. Interested organizations first submit a short Expression of Interest describing their work and alignment with the opportunity. After an initial review, the adidas Foundation will shortlist a number of organizations.
2. Shortlisted organizations will be invited to provide a full application with more detailed information about their organization, proposed use of the funding, and intended contribution to the project’s objectives. Within this organizations the adidas Foundation will select the final partners of the project.

Please note: Submission of Interest or Progression to the shortlisted phase does not guarantee funding.

All dates after the EOI submission deadline are indicative and may be adjusted. Applicants will be kept informed of any changes.

General Support provides flexible, multi-year funding to mission-aligned nonprofit organizations. Instead of being restricted to a specific project, the funding can be used to advance your organization’s key priorities and charitable work, in line with the Funding Guidelines. During the application process, you will be asked to identify a small number of priorities and planned activities that the funding will support. Successful partners will report annually on how the funding was used, what it enabled, and the progress achieved.

The adidas Foundation is a charitable foundation governed by German law and must ensure that all funding is used for charitable purposes and appropriately documented. You are not expected to have prior knowledge of German charitable law. Our Funding Guidelines (Sections 6 and 7) clearly explain eligible uses of funding, exclusions, and reporting requirements, and shortlisted organizations will receive additional guidance throughout the application process.

The Next Move will support organizations in:

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia

Why these countries?

Brazil was selected as the anchor country for The Next Move due to its role as host of the Women’s World Cup 2027 and the opportunity to build a lasting legacy beyond the tournament itself. Recognizing that gender-based violence, discrimination, and harmful gender norms are challenges shared across the region, Argentina and Colombia were included to extend this impact across Latin America. Together, the three countries represent diverse contexts where sport can play a meaningful role in promoting gender equality, strengthening social cohesion, and creating safer and more inclusive communities. Through this regional approach, The Next Move aims to support locally led solutions while contributing to broader social change beyond the host nation.

Questions about The Next Move Expression of Interest should be submitted through our dedicated question form:

A live FAQ document will be published on after the webinar (21 September), and be regularly updated.

We will not provide individual responses to submitted questions. Instead, we will review and group similar questions and address them through the regularly updated live FAQ document. Questions that are already clearly answered in the Expression of Interest Guidelines or the information available on this page may not be included in the FAQ.

Please note that we cannot provide feedback on draft submissions or advise organizations on how to position their application.