23/09/2026
From Activities to Impact: Measuring the Difference Sport for Development Makes!
How do we know whether our programmes are making a meaningful difference?
This important question was at the heart of the NIF Partners Meeting in Oslo, Norway, where RN Sports Program Coordinator, Sonko Annet and Programme Manager, Julius Simfukwe joined organisations from across Southern Africa to reflect on programme reporting, outcome measurement and the impact of sport for development.
A key takeaway from the two-day meeting was that good reporting goes beyond documenting activities.
It requires us to ask:
➡️ What has changed?
➡️ Who has benefited?
➡️ What difference are our programmes making in the lives of children, young people and communities?
➡️ How can we use evidence and learning to strengthen future programmes?
Together with partners including NOWSPAR, Sport in Action, the Judo Association of Zambia, Judo Zimbabwe, Judo Malawi, African Union Sports Council Region 5, the National Olympic Committee of Zambia, the National Olympic Committee of Malawi, and the National Olympic Committee of Zimbabwe, we shared experiences, challenged assumptions and explored practical ways to strengthen impact across the region.
We remain grateful to Norges idrettsforbund (NIF) – Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports for convening this valuable platform promoting sharing, learning, collaboration and partnerships.
In our work, we ought to make sure that we are not simply to counting activities but equally understand the change the activities are creating in the communities we serve.