idrottslyftet

Idrottslyftet, meaning “the sports lift,” was a Swedish government-supported program designed to strengthen the country’s sport movement by increasing participation in sport, with a particular emphasis on children and youth and on groups with low participation rates. It aimed to create more inclusive and sustainable activity through organized sport and activity in local communities.

The program was administered through a collaboration between the government, the Swedish Sports Confederation (Riksidrottsförbundet), municipalities, and local clubs. Funds were distributed as project grants in rounds, and applications typically funded the recruitment of coordinators or project leaders, the development and expansion of club activities, and partnerships with schools and other community actors. Grants often required co-financing from participating clubs and organizations and stressed long-term sustainability, gender equality, and inclusion of groups such as youths with disabilities or immigrants.

Coverage and focus areas included a wide range of sports and activities, with the intent to lower barriers to participation and to strengthen the organizational capacity of sports clubs. The program supported both new initiatives and the expansion of existing ones, prioritizing collaboration with schools, local authorities, and community groups to reach more participants and improve accessibility.

Timeline and legacy: Idrottslyftet was introduced in the early 2000s and operated for roughly a decade, undergoing multiple application rounds. In the mid- to late 2010s, the program ended, with its objectives and experiences informing ongoing public support schemes and policy discussions within Swedish sport and civil society.