The SYCP project, co-funded and coordinated by the IOC and the French Development Agency (AFD), aims to harness the power of sport as an effective tool for preventing crime, violence, and negative behaviours among young people in the region.
Speaking at the working session, Deputy Director General Le Thi Hoang Yen expressed her joy and deep gratitude to the IOC and AFD for trusting Vietnam and selecting it as one of the key countries to implement the program.
Ms. Le Thi Hoang Yen emphasised: "Vietnam always considers Physical Education and Sports not only as an activity to improve health but also as an important pillar in moral education, life skills, and character building for the young generation. We are committed to creating the most favourable conditions for the project to be successfully implemented, bringing about practical and lasting social impacts."
Accordingly, the two sides jointly reviewed the overall objectives of the project, particularly emphasising the importance of sustainable development and the effectiveness of measuring the social impact of sports programs. The workshop focused on the implementation plan in Southeast Asian countries, a region with a high proportion of young people and an urgent need for positive social intervention solutions.
To ensure suitability with the cultural, social, and legal characteristics of each country, the IOC delegation and the Vietnam Sports Authority agreed to apply the Regional Adaptation Model.
Accordingly, Vietnam will assume the strategic role of: Developing a training program for Coaches/Social Workers through Sports. To become the best bridge nation for sharing information and good practices among National Olympic Committees (NOCs) in the region regarding program design and evaluation.
It is known that within the framework of the project, over 1 million Euros will be allocated to 11 organisations in 4 Southeast Asian countries including: Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. In Vietnam, My Way Social Enterprise was honoured to be selected to participate in the project. In particular, Community Football activities in Vietnam are proud to be one of the first organisations to receive this funding from the Southeast Asia Youth Crime Prevention and Sports Initiative (SYCP) during the 2025-2027 period.
According to the plan, over the next 18 months, My Way Social Enterprise will collaborate with international experts to develop a sports-based intervention model for at-risk youth, aiming to transform their lives through sports and life skills.
The implementation of the SYCP project in Vietnam takes place against the backdrop of the IOC intensifying efforts to strengthen the integrity of the global Olympic movement. Previously, at the 5th International Forum on Sports Integrity (IFSI) in Lausanne, Switzerland (November 2025), the IOC formalised the global declaration on sports integrity. This declaration identifies four priority areas, including promoting good governance, combating corruption, and protecting participants in sports.
IOC President Kirsty Coventry emphasised at the forum that collective responsibility for integrity is like the structure of a spiderweb - only strong and sustainable when every strand is connected. This collaboration is key to protecting athletes, strengthening processes and rules, and maintaining public trust in sports. The IOC also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with organisations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to protect the integrity of sport at all levels.
Reality shows that enhancing integrity helps ensure the role of sport as a catalyst for a positive socio-economic development mission. The SYCP project in Vietnam and the region is a clear demonstration of the link between global integrity policies and concrete social action.
At the end of the working session, the leaders of the Vietnam Sports Authority and representatives of the IOC agreed on the next steps:
- Sign a detailed Work Plan expected for the first quarter of 2026.
- Selection and training of the first batch for Vietnam's core expert group (Master Trainers).
- Organise a Regional Kick-off Conference in Hanoi, inviting representatives from Southeast Asian NOCs.
The working session concluded with a high level of consensus and strong determination, demonstrating the joint efforts of Vietnam and the IOC in building a healthy and responsible generation of young people, contributing to the noble goal of "Building a Healthier Tomorrow" for the entire region.
Huyen Trang