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In recognition of the 2025 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, we were gratified to partner with New Balance Foundation in April to launch Futures in Motion. Grounded in Positive Youth Development (PYD), the international program supports organizations using sport and physical activity to expand opportunities for young people and promote bright futures. Through grant funding, capacity-building resources and community engagement activities, we are on a mission to advance youth wellbeing, teach essential life skills and foster leadership, career readiness and inclusion.
Futures in Motion kicked off in Australia, Japan and Poland this year, and by 2027 will be active in seven total locations, helping to strengthen community organizations, ensure their long-term sustainability and equip young leaders to drive change. The program was developed and operates in close collaboration with in-country consultants, advisory groups and subject matter experts to ensure cultural and local relevance, and that the specific barriers young people are facing in each region are addressed.
READ MORE ABOUT WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED SO FAR:
AUSTRALIA
In September, we announced Aspire Community and Charity Bounce as the first Futures in Motion grant recipients. Program funding and organizational support will help expand Aspire Community’s “Learn, Lead, Play and Thrive: Where Sport Fuels Success” initiative and Charity Bounce’s “Bounce Clubs.”
Both organizations are known for their intersectional, equity-focused approaches to PYD through sport. Read more about them.
JAPAN
In October, we announced Chance for All, Knocku and Yamato Sylphid Sports Club as the Futures in Motion Japan grant recipients. Program funding and organizational support the expansion of Chance For All’s “Play Cars” initiative, help strengthen Knocku’s inclusive para-sports handball club and help the nonprofit arm of women’s football club, Yamato Sylphid, grow its “Empowerment Project.”
Through inclusive sport and physical activity, the three organizations are shifting the focus from competition to participation and access in Japan. Read more about them.
POLAND
Early next year, we’ll announce the grant recipients of Futures in Motion Poland. However, in November, we were excited to bring the six shortlisted organizations to New Balance’s Marketing office in Warsaw for the final stage of the selection process. The organizations joined Beyond Sport, New Balance Poland and local expert partner, V4Sport Foundation, for a two-day Co-Creation Workshop providing targeted coaching sessions, networking opportunities and culminating in a “Shark Tank” style Pitch Session to determine the final recipients.
It was a dynamic and collaborative experience that explored PYD and embedding youth voice; monitoring, evaluation and learning; purpose-led brand communications and audience engagement; and pitch coaching and communications skills, led by Beyond Sport’s Tarryn Horner and V4Sport’s Jakub Kalinowski and youth changemaker Liza Lytvynova, Futures in Motion evaluation expert, Sarah Ludecke and New Balance Poland’s Head of Marketing CEE, Iga Bielawski, respectively.
Through expert consultations, a peer learning and exchange process and networking opportunities, participants increased their capacity and confidence, refined their proposed projects and strengthened their impact frameworks, while also broadening their sport for development networks in Poland.
During the final session, representatives from the six organizations pitched for five minutes each to an international panel including New Balance Foundation’s Paola Bethmage, as well as Bielawski, Kalinowski, Lytvynova and Horner. The presentations demonstrated clarity, authenticity and strong youth-centered design reflecting the learning gained throughout the workshop.
LOOKING AHEAD
Futures in Motion will build on this year’s momentum, announcing both the Poland grantees and additional program locations next year. Beyond funding, the initiative seeks to strengthen organizations that are using sport and physical activity to support youth. The organizations and others will have access to capacity-building resources – including an upcoming digital self-assessment tool – and collaborative platforms where they can learn from and with their peers.
Be on the lookout for our program news in 2026!
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