Name of practice: Including Inclusion: International Coaching Course (ITK)

Organisation: University of Leipzig 

Country: Leipzig, Germany 

Funding: Since 1991, the ITK has been funded by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and since 2021, it has also received additional support from the State of Saxony through the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture, and Tourism. The ‘Including Inclusion’ project in particular is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Description of the Organisation:

The International Coaching Course (ITK) is a postgraduate education programme for sports professionals from developing and emerging countries. Established in 1964, it is conducted by the Faculty of Sport Science at Leipzig University and integrated into Germany’s Foreign Cultural and Educational Policy, with funding by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State of Saxony.

The course combines theoretical and practical learning in disciplines such as football, athletics, swimming and inclusive sports, with a focus on youth sports. ITK is open to professionals from countries listed in the OECD DAC list and offers multilingual translation in English, French and Spanish to promote accessibility. ITK promotes life-long learning, inclusion, diversity and international exchange. Graduates return to their countries with skills to advance national and local sports systems and become part of a global network spanning over 140 countries. Since its founding, ITK alumni form a global ITK network committed to using sports as a tool for positive change in the promotion of sports worldwide. By enabling alumni to become change agents in their communities, the ITK model ensures long-lasting impact. This focus lies on long-term empowerment through skill-building, stakeholder engagement and alumni leadership.

Description of Practice:

ITK launched the Alumni Working Group “Including Inclusion”, assembling five ITK alumni from five global regions. These representatives receive two years of expert training in curriculum development, presentation and leadership skills, project management and fundraising. The programme includes online workshops, in-person training and field visits to the German Paralympic Sports Association. The programme will culminate in a workshop series during the 2025 Inclusion Symposium in North Macedonia.

Each participant will mentor fellow alumni and establish regional inclusion networks to multiply the project's reach. This initiative exemplifies the ITK's commitment to fostering lifelong learning and international collaboration among its alumni by ensuring that its graduates continue to contribute positively to sports and societal structures in their respective countries. Through these efforts, the ITK strengthens its global network and promotes the development of inclusive sports practices worldwide. Integration into the national sports system in the form of curriculum development is also of crucial importance for sustainable and inclusive development that leaves no one behind.

Scalability and transferability: 

The ITK Alumni Working Group on Inclusion fosters a sustainable impact by training participants as multipliers and mentors. These alumni, trained in curriculum development, project management and fundraising, are empowered to create their own local networks and initiatives, thus ensuring the longevity of the project’s impact. The focus on fundraising and engagement with stakeholders also provides the necessary resources for the continuation and expansion of the initiative.

Contact Information: 

Dr. Anton Behrens, ITK Director Leipzig University and EASM General Secretary 

Petra Riedinger-Andrä, ITK Coordinator Leipzig University