Kuwait City, Kuwait, April 9, 2025: The OCA Athletes Department highlighted the Athlete-Centered Project Fund (ACPF) during the recent OCA/Olympic Solidarity Regional Forums in Bhutan and Tajikistan.
The fund is available to all National Olympic Committees under the Olympic Solidarity Continental Programme and is a unique initiative designed to empower athletes and support their development both on and off the field.
Instituted in 2022, the fund offers USD3,000 per project, supporting up to 10 projects each year on a first-come, first-served basis. The fund is aimed at helping NOCs and their Athletes’ Committees (ACs) develop athlete-led initiatives that foster engagement, amplify athlete voices in decision-making and strengthen support systems around them.
During the presentations, the Athletes Department shared examples of successful projects from previous years, giving participants a clear picture of the kind of impact the fund can have. The team also encouraged NOCs to spread the word to their Athletes’ Committees and provide hands-on support in bringing project ideas to life.
“While meeting athlete representatives from different countries online, the OCA has realized that many weren’t even aware that this fund existed,” said Jamyang Namgyal, Manager of the OCA Athletes Department.
“But they were genuinely excited to learn there is financial support available specifically for them. That’s why we’re urging NOCs to work hand-in-hand with their Athletes’ Committees — many of whom lack the manpower or resources to do this alone, especially since most are still active athletes.”
Applications for the fund are now open and must be submitted online through the OS Relay system under the Continental Programme section. To help get things moving, the OCA also shared sample project ideas that ACs could take on — from workshops and mentorship programmes to athlete welfare campaigns.
Guidelines for the application process are available on the OCA website and will also be shared with NOCs and ACs directly. The message was clear: this fund is for athletes, by athletes — and NOCs play a key role in helping their committees make the most of it.
Link to the guideline: https://oca.asia/council/continental-programme/
With this push, the OCA continues to champion athlete empowerment across Asia, encouraging collaboration, creativity and leadership at every level of sport.
