Abstract
Globally, sport-for-development implemented non-governmental organisations that increasingly faced issues regarding organisational sustainability and delivering of sustainable impactful programmes, often funded by external agencies. The study aimed to explore the mechanisms that contributed to sustainability of programmes and organisations within the Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) sector operating in impoverished communities within the Johannesburg metropole. The resource-dependency theory, systems theory and theory of change underpinned the research.
In this descriptive study, three Laureus Sport for Good Foundation-funded non-governmental organisations (NGOs) delivered programmes within the Johannesburg metropole, serve as case studies. The funder identified the NGOs representative of different levels of capacity and sustainable programme delivery based on their annual progress reports. Due to Covid-19 mobility restrictions and a national lock down, communication for the research became virtual. Interviews were conducted with Laureus representatives (n=2), key decision-makers of all three NGOs (n=4) and the programme instructors from the latter in Gauteng (n=8).
The study aimed to describe and reflect on the roles and governance of NGOs and their relation to stakeholders in the sport-for-development field delivering programmes to impoverished communities in the Johannesburg metropole. A comparative case study analysis was conducted to identify factors that contributed to sustainable programme delivery and offer guidelines for effective partnerships and impactful programmes that would deliver on meaningful outcomes.