Sustained Development Through Sports
We provide a basic chance for children from socio-economic weaker segments of the society to achieve excellence in sports.
I confirm that I am fully aware of the eligibility criteria, and based on its description, I am eligible to apply to the CSV Prize 2017.
- Yes, I'm eligible
Preferred language
- English
Organization name
Bridges of SportsYear founded
2016Initiative stage
- Growth (the pilot has already launched and is starting to expand)
Annual budget in 2017 (USD)
- $100k - $250k
Number of beneficiaries impacted so far
- 250 - 500
Organization type
- Nonprofit, NGO, or citizen sector
Secondary Focus Area
- Nutrition
Headquarters location: Country
- India
Headquarters location: City
Bangalore, IndiaLocation(s) of impact
India: Chikmagalur, Mundgod.Website
https://www.bridgesofsports.org/





Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/BridgesofSports/Twitter URL
https://twitter.com/bridgesofsportsProblem: What problem is this initiative trying to address?
The Siddis are an Indo-African community confined into forest areas and coastal belt of India, living with racism and neglected since 400 years and since independence. The Siddis are relying on sports to train and represent India with hope that - it will aid their acceptance into the mainstream Indian society but have failed to get support from govt. or private organisations. We are providing impetus for children from such communities through sports, for their sustained development and integration into society.Solution Summary: What is the proposed solution? What do you see as its most promising aspects for creating shared value?
Together with Ex-Olympians, we work with children from socio-economic backward communities. Irrespective of their gender, ability or disability we give them an opportunity train, excel and have a career in sports. The kids are coached in specific sports, at their schools by the brightest athletes and teachers of their community who dedicate 2 years of their life to be on our fellowship as coaches. We implement interval skills program during the 2 years, for the fellows providing them training on use of technology, curriculum etc to enable them to be micro entrepreneurs post the fellowship, with a focus on creation of more employment opportunities at community level. We aim to develop the ecosystem, inclusively by involving the brightest people of their community who also serve as role models. The fellowship model will build a strong alumni movement of leaders who will share their value working with other local organisations, schools or independently post fellowship.Impact: What is the impact of the work to date? Specify both the social and the environmental impact of your work
We would like to give an example of the social impact generated by restarting the sports program for the Siddi Community. Our fellows travelled 800 kms across forest dwellings of Karnataka to meet Siddi children and convince their parents to let them join school and train in sports. Currently we train 150 children at a local community school. Together along with schooling, they have amassed more than 20 medals including 7 Gold and 4 children qualified for State Athletics meet. The areas we work, lack sustained means of employment avenues, which leads to negative impact on the environment due material consumption and antisocial behaviour. For the first time since independence, the Siddis are sustainably moving out of seclusion. Through sports, they channelise their energy into creating better value for themselves, their community and the environment. Today we are working with over 15 fellows, impacting 4 communities and over 500 children. In 2018, we will be working with 60 fellows.Financial sustainability plan: How is this initiative financially supported? How will you ensure its financial sustainability long-term?
We are currently incubated in Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and supported by Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. We are also recognised as "top 20 exceptional new-age nonprofits of India”, with a potential to scale by N/Core which is backed by Nandan Nilekani and Tata Trusts. We are also finalist at TFIx an initiative by Teach for India and have secured position in the final round of Millennium Alliance Grant and received in-kind tech grant from Google. Currently we financed through grants. We will move from grants to sponsorships and work with organisations and schools to provide skill development and vocational training in sports and sports related courses. And finally crowdfunding through accessing the retail market will from the crucial core areas towards our sustainability.Unique value proposition: What makes your initiative innovative? How does your project differ from other organizations working in the same field?
We are aiming to develop the ecosystem, inclusively and sustainably by involving the brightest athletes and teachers from the local community who also serve as role models to the children. Our fellowship model, enables building of a strong alumni movement of leaders, role models and coaches which will work with local government and organisations to help create community centric initiatives. This will act as a BRIDGE to their integration in social and economic activity of the nation.Founding story: Share a story about the "Aha!" moment that sparked the beginning of this initiative.
We believe that education for all should not just looked upon as means to improve learning or mathematical skills. It should not just be access to basic education but access to excellent education covering all areas from arts to sports, from language skills to STEM education. Our founder, during his Fellowship at American Indian Foundation, undertook few case studies on organisations using sports in communities doing an excellent job at this and have actually shown results where children have grown out and taken leadership roles in their community post their secondary schooling. We believe access to experiences outside the classroom setting by creating platforms for children to exercise their diversities are crucial to nurture their leadership skills in creating a sustainable social change. Bridges of Sports was born to implement this idea at a scale needed to initiate radical change.Where did you hear about the Nestlé Creating Shared Value Prize?
- Search engine
Evaluation results
2 evaluations so far
1. Overall evaluation
5 - This idea rocked my world. It’s awesome! - 0%
4 - This idea seems really exciting. With a little more polishing, it’d be among my favorites. - 50%
3 - I think the idea is great, but it needs some work before it moves onto the next round. - 0%
2 - I liked it fine but preferred others. - 50%
1 - It didn’t make my heart beat faster. Needs significant revisions. - 0%
2. Innovation
5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 50%
4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 50%
3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 0%
2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%
1 - This entry is weak here - 0%
3. Social and/or Environmental Impact
5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 50%
4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 50%
3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 0%
2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%
1 - This entry is weak here - 0%
4. Financial sustainability
5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 0%
4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 100%
3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 100%
2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%
1 - This entry is weak here - 0%
Nothing stands out! I thought it was great. - 0%
5. Potential to Scale / Replicability
5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 50%
4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 50%
3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 0%
2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%
1 - This entry is weak here - 0%
6. Organizational Leadership
5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 50%
4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 50%
3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 0%
2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%
1 - This entry is weak here - 0%
7. Potential for Creating Shared Value
5 - Absolutely, 100%! - 0%
4 - I feel really good about this - very promising - 100%
3 - This has some good elements and some areas for development - 0%
2 - This doesn’t inspire me so much - 0%
1 - This entry is weak here - 0%
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