Harnessing the Power of Sport for Development in Moldova

By Sarah Runzheimer

Sport has the power to create meaningful social change, and Moldova has recently embraced this potential through a one-year Sport for Development (S4D) initiative. This innovative project, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ Moldova, aims to equip young people with essential life skills through sport. With its main partner, the Moldovan Ministry of Education, Culture, and Research and with the support of the German Football Federation (DFB) and the Moldovan Football Federation, it combines the power of sport with strategic youth development.

At its core, Sport for Development leverages sport as a tool to foster life skills such as resilience, communication, teamwork, and goal-setting among young people. The project is not about improving athletic performance; it’s about using the dynamics of sport to teach young people the soft skills they need to succeed in life and the job market. This approach recognizes that sport can break down social barriers, promote inclusion, and strengthen community ties — all while preparing youth for future challenges.

A key milestone in this project was the rollout of two coach education workshops held in Chisinau in January and April 2024. These workshops brought together youth and social workers from three regions in Moldova to learn and apply the S4D methodology. The first workshop focused on the foundational principles of using sport as an educational tool. Participants explored how sport can teach essential life skills and promote social cohesion. The second workshop deepened this knowledge, guiding coaches to design and deliver their own S4D sessions while receiving feedback from experienced instructors. The goal was to empower these coaches to integrate employability skills — such as strategic thinking, communication, and resilience — into their youth work.

A highlight of the second workshop was a Sport for Development Tournament, where newly trained coaches put their skills into action. Young participants from Chisinau engaged in a four-part training that combined specific competency fields with practical sport sessions, demonstrating how the S4D approach works in real time.

The event culminated in a certification ceremony, where Mr. Dan Perciun, Moldova’s Minister of Education and Research, emphasized the potential of Sport for Development in empowering young people and expressed his commitment to institutionalizing the program nationwide.

The project’s success reflects the strength of international cooperation. German Ambassador to Moldova Margret Uebber and GIZ country director Claudia Hermes highlighted the value of the partnership between German and Moldovan institutions. Clara Pointke from the German Football Federation praised the long-standing collaboration between the federation and German Development Cooperation, which continues to positively impact young people worldwide.

By combining the unifying power of sport with strategic youth development, Moldova is building a framework that empowers young people, strengthens communities, and enhances employability.

Find more pictures from the workshop here: Instagram