Centre for Sport and Human Rights

What Centre for Sport and Human Rights does

The Centre for Sport and Human Rights (CSHR) is an independent non-profit organisation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with a UK operating entity (Centre for Sport and Human Rights Limited, Charity Number 1187647) registered in Eastbourne and a wholly-owned trading subsidiary (Centre for Sport and Human Rights Trading Limited). Founded in June 2018 as the outcome of the Institute for Human Rights and Business-led Mega Sporting Events Platform, CSHR works to embed human rights standards across the global sport ecosystem. It serves athletes, workers, fans, communities, children, and officials through a combination of policy guidance, framework development, training, independent observation, and multi-stakeholder convening.

CSHR's core "products" are intellectual assets rather than commercial software: the Sporting Chance Principles, the Mega-Sporting Event Lifecycle Tool, the Human Rights Playbook Series, the Roadmap to Remedy suite (8 outputs), the Sport and Human Rights Case Collection, the Database of Human Rights Commitments in Sports, the Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement Tool, and the Sport and Human Rights Glossary. Operational programmes include the Human Rights Volunteers initiative (deployed at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022), Generation 2026 (active in Canada, Mexico, and the United States ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026), the Fan + Communities Guide (covering 16 host cities in 12 languages), and the Global Sport and Human Rights Research Network (co-hosted with the T.M.C. Asser Institute). The Responsible Sport Council convenes 65+ institutions; flagship convenings include the Sporting Chance Forum and the Mega-Sporting Event Host Government Forum.

CSHR generates revenue through three streams: (1) donations and grants from Responsible Sport Council participants (sports bodies, event organisers, corporations, governments, foundations), with core funding unrestricted and grants typically programme-specific; (2) strategic advisory services delivered through Centre for Sport and Human Rights Trading Limited on a bilateral basis; and (3) US tax-deductible contributions via the Friends of CSHR Fund administered by Every.org (Myriad USA). Its legal-governance structure is unusually institutional: the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are Permanent Observers embedded in the Articles of Association, while seven governing Members of the Swiss Association (Government of Switzerland, ITUC, IOE, Commonwealth Games Federation, Human Rights Watch, World Players Association/UNI Global Union, and IHRB) act as custodians. A refreshed five-year "Responsible Sport" strategy (2026-2030) was launched in May 2026.

Name

Centre for Sport and Human Rights

Legal name

Centre pour le Sport et les Droits de l'Homme

Website

https://sporthumanrights.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Centre for Sport and Human Rights is a Geneva-based independent non-profit founded in 2018 that develops frameworks, tools, and convening platforms to embed human rights standards across the global sport ecosystem, serving sports bodies, governments, athletes, and affected communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sport Human Rights Advocacy and Governance

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

National Governing Bodies (NGBs) (MPAKAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Anti-Doping & Integrity Bodies (WADA, match-fixing/integrity units) (MPAKAFAJ)

Keywords

• Sport human rights
• Responsible sport
• Sport governance frameworks
• Mega-sporting events
• Human rights due diligence

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants from Responsible Sport Council Participants: The primary revenue stream consists of donations, grants and in-kind support from participants in the Responsible Sport Council. Donations from sports organisations, sporting event organisers, and corporations go into core funding with no conditions or restrictions attached. Grants from governments and foundations are typically programme or project specific with agreed deliverables.
2. Strategic Advisory Services (Trading Subsidiary): CSHR maintains a dedicated trading subsidiary (Centre for Sport and Human Rights Trading Limited) that undertakes strategic advisory services, policy advice, and technical cooperation projects on a bilateral basis where there is a clear strategic use for the Centre's capacity and such projects are in line with and support the Centre's delivery of its strategic plan.
3. Tax-Deductible Contributions (US Supporters): Supporters in the United States can make tax-deductible contributions to the Friends of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights Fund, administered by Every.org (Myriad USA), a 501(c)(3) charity.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

CSHR is an independent non-profit human rights organisation for the world of sport that develops frameworks, guidance documents, and tools for embedding human rights in sport governance and mega-sporting events. It convenes 65+ institutions through the Responsible Sport Council, delivers strategic advisory and capacity-building services to sport bodies and governments, and operates programmes such as the Human Rights Volunteers, Generation 2026, and the Roadmap to Remedy to advance accountability, prevention, and access to remedy across the global sport ecosystem.

Product overview

The Centre for Sport and Human Rights is a non-profit human rights organization for the world of sport that provides a comprehensive suite of policy guidance, practical tools, and collaborative platforms. The portfolio includes the Fan + Communities Guide for World Cup 2026 (an interactive multilingual resource guide), Generation 2026 (youth engagement initiative), Human Rights Volunteers Programme (trained observer network), Roadmap to Remedy (abuse response guidance), Human Rights Playbook Series (due diligence guidance), Mega-Sporting Event Lifecycle Tool, Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement Tool, Case Collection database, Database of Human Rights Commitments, and Sport & Human Rights Glossary. The organization also operates the Responsible Sport Council (multi-stakeholder platform), Sporting Chance Forum (flagship annual summit), and Global Sport and Human Rights Research Network. Advisory Services provide bespoke consultancy support. These offerings are delivered through a web-based platform supplemented by downloadable PDF resources, and do not include API products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fan + Communities Guide for FIFA World Cup 2026 Interactive guide providing practical resources and hotlines across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026, covering accessibility, child safeguarding, health, human rights protection, gender-based violence, immigration, inclusion, public safety, workplace issues, housing, heat and climate, and freedom of expression. Available in 12 languages for fans, community members, and individuals.
• Generation 2026 Initiative working with host cities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States to advance child rights in sport related to the FIFA World Cup 2026, including a Youth Leadership Council (32 youth from 15 host cities), Youth Media Forward, Child & Youth Surveys, Athlete Ambassadors, a school-based curriculum, and safeguarding tools such as the ASSIST assessment developed with Loughborough University.
• Human Rights Volunteers Programme Innovative initiative that trains volunteers within event volunteer pools to act as independent human rights observers, monitoring activities during games time and reporting findings to event owners for internal feedback, intervention, and corrective action. Deployed at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and now rolled out for global use across mega-sporting events.
• Roadmap to Remedy Comprehensive guidance project providing knowledge, recommendations, and practical tools for sport bodies and affected persons to raise the standard of access to remedy for abuse cases in sport. Includes outputs on investigation standards, trauma-informed approaches, and legal representation gaps for abuse cases.
• Human Rights Playbook Series Suite of step-by-step guidance documents designed to help sport bodies and event organisers implement human rights due diligence, including guides on integrating human rights in the governance of sport bodies and step-by-step guidance on drafting a human rights policy.
• Mega-Sporting Event Lifecycle Tool Framework and tool for embedding human rights from vision to legacy throughout the lifecycle of mega-sporting events, covering bidding, planning, design, construction, delivery operations, competition, income generation, and legacy phases. Available in English, French, and Japanese.
• Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement Tool Online toolkit (toolkit.sporthumanrights.org) enabling sport bodies to conduct meaningful engagement with stakeholders as part of their human rights due diligence processes, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
• Sport and Human Rights Case Collection Database capturing past and recent cases from the world of sports with human rights at stake, including cases dealt with by domestic and international courts, tribunals, OECD National Contact Points, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
• Database of Human Rights Commitments in Sports Interactive database providing an overview of human rights commitments made by sport bodies and event organisers since 2013, identifying type of commitment, publication date, and whether action plans or monitoring mechanisms are included.
• Sport & Human Rights Glossary Ongoing consultative glossary project bringing clarity and coherence to the language used in sport and human rights discussions, with draft definitions accessible in multiple languages including Spanish and Korean.
• Advisory Services Technical expertise and bespoke consultancy support at the intersection of sport and human rights, delivered through the Centre's trading subsidiary on a limited and selective basis. Services include training, capacity building, due diligence facilitation, and safeguarding system strengthening for sport institutions.
• Global Sport and Human Rights Research Network (GSHRRN) Research network launched in 2024 in collaboration with T.M.C. Asser Institute as Secretariat, connecting research institutions and academics to bridge the gap between research and practice in sport and human rights. Publishes annual reading lists, maintains a research map, and hosts an annual Summer Programme on Sports & Human Rights.

Quantifiable outcome

• Generation 2026 Youth Leadership Council brings together 32 youth from 15 FIFA World Cup 2026 host cities.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOHCHR is a Permanent Observer to the CSHR Swiss Association, with its role embedded in the Articles of Association. OHCHR nominates two individuals to represent it in governance of the Centre and co-endorses the Sporting Chance Principles. CSHR and OHCHR jointly released a Human Rights Day 2025 video conversation and collaborate on research and advocacy.
• International Labour Organisation (ILO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILO is a Permanent Observer to the CSHR Swiss Association, with its role embedded in the Articles of Association. ILO nominates two individuals to represent it in governance. ILO and CSHR co-convened a Dialogue on Decent Work in Sport.
• Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHRB convened the Mega Sporting Events Platform for Human Rights from 2015-2018, which led to CSHR's establishment. IHRB is one of the seven governing Members of the CSHR Swiss Association.
• SkycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSky is a current donor and co-host of the Sporting Chance Forum 2026, contributing to the flagship global summit on responsible sport at Brentford FC's Gtech Community Stadium in London.
• T.M.C. Asser InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Asser Institute acts as Secretariat of the Global Sport and Human Rights Research Network (GSHRRN) and co-hosts the annual Summer Programme on Sports & Human Rights with CSHR. The fourth edition ran in May 2025.
• FrontlineFCkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrontlineFC partnered with CSHR to curate fan embassies and resources on immigration, workplace rights, and other areas for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan + Communities Guide. The platform directs fans to host city 'fan embassies'.
• Dignity 2026keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerDignity 2026 is a civil society partner collaborating with CSHR to curate community hotlines and resources as part of the Fan + Communities Guide for the FIFA World Cup 2026, covering all 16 host cities.
• Loughborough UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneration 2026 collaborated with Loughborough University to develop ASSIST, a safeguarding assessment tool for sport organisations, venues, and city governments involved in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
• Aspen Institute's Project PlaykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint partner with CSHR in the Child Rights & Sports Alliance (US), alongside National League of Cities, UNICEF USA, and U.S. Soccer Foundation, to elevate child rights and voices in FIFA World Cup 2026 planning.
• UNICEF USAkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNICEF USA is a joint partner in the Child Rights & Sports Alliance (US) with CSHR, Aspen Institute's Project Play, National League of Cities, and U.S. Soccer Foundation.
• National League of CitieskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational League of Cities is a joint partner in the Child Rights & Sports Alliance (US) with CSHR, focused on elevating child rights in city planning for FIFA World Cup 2026.
• U.S. Soccer FoundationkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerU.S. Soccer Foundation is a joint partner in the Child Rights & Sports Alliance (US) with CSHR, Aspen Institute's Project Play, National League of Cities, and UNICEF USA.
• Human Rights WatchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHuman Rights Watch is one of the seven governing Members of the CSHR Swiss Association and participant in the Responsible Sport Council, co-endorsing the Sporting Chance Principles.
• World Players Association (UNI Global Union)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Players Association is one of the seven governing Members of the CSHR Swiss Association and participant in the Responsible Sport Council, representing athlete voices in governance.
• Commonwealth Games FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommonwealth Games Federation is one of the seven governing Members of the CSHR Swiss Association and participant in the Responsible Sport Council.
• International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITUC is one of the seven governing Members of the CSHR Swiss Association and participant in the Responsible Sport Council, representing workers' interests in sport governance.
• International Organisation of Employers (IOE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIOE is one of the seven governing Members of the CSHR Swiss Association and participant in the Responsible Sport Council, representing employers' interests in sport governance.
• Global Campus of Human RightssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Campus of Human Rights joined the Responsible Sport Council as a participant committed to the Sporting Chance Principles, contributing academic and research expertise.
• Sports and Human Rights Institute (Korea)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Sports and Human Rights Institute in Korea provided an unofficial Korean translation of the Sport and Human Rights Glossary, extending CSHR's language reach in Asia.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Human Rights Watch: A governing Member of CSHR's Swiss Association and one of the world's leading human rights organizations. HRW conducts investigations and advocacy across sport (including FIFA, Qatar, Saudi Arabia) and is comparable as a senior peer NGO with adjacent subject matter and similar convening power.
• Amnesty International: A global human rights organization with a long-running sport program (notably on Qatar 2022, Saudi-linked events). Amnesty operates at a much larger scale and broader remit, but its sport-focused advocacy is thematically adjacent and addresses overlapping institutions.
• Sport Integrity Australia: Australia's national sport integrity agency handling integrity threats including corruption, match-fixing, and safeguarding. Broader than CSHR, it operates a government-led model and serves as an example of how integrity bodies are being structured at the national level, comparable in subject area.
• International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS): An international NGO working on safety, security, and integrity in sport, including major events. While its focus is security rather than human rights, ICSS operates in the same mega-event, multi-stakeholder convening space as CSHR.
• Transparency International: The global anti-corruption organization with a sport-program initiative focused on governance, transparency, and integrity in sport federations. Comparable in convening international institutions around governance reform, though operating from a corruption rather than human rights angle.

Direct peers

• World Players Association: A governing Member of CSHR and the global union representing athletes' interests. World Players and CSHR collaborate on athlete-centered human rights work and Convening of Athletes Council within sport governance — comparable mandate around athlete voice and integrity in sport.
• World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA): WADA is the global regulator for anti-doping integrity in sport — a directly analogous function to CSHR's role on human rights integrity. Both are multi-stakeholder bodies convening sport, governments, and civil society to set and enforce integrity standards, though WADA has a narrower anti-doping remit.
• Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB): IHRB convened the Mega Sporting Events Platform (2015-2018) that gave rise to CSHR and remains a governing Member of CSHR's Swiss Association. IHRB shares CSHR's human rights and business remit and operates in the same sport-and-human-rights niche, making it the closest comparable organization.

Others

• UNICEF: A CSHR partner in the Child Rights & Sports Alliance and the leading UN agency on children's rights. Comparable as a global institution setting rights-based standards that intersect with sport (child safeguarding, education through sport), though UNICEF is a vastly larger UN entity rather than a direct peer.
• International Labour Organization (ILO): ILO is a Permanent Observer in CSHR's governance and co-convened CSHR's Dialogue on Decent Work in Sport. As a UN agency with a sport-and-labour mandate (workers in sport, supply chains, mega-events), ILO is a regulatory and intellectual peer though vastly larger in scale and statutory authority.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6h315Pr5yiHE2oKsKPckYg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-for-sport-and-human-rights
• Instagraminstagram.com/sportandrights/?hl=en
• Xx.com/SportandRights

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles30 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centre for Sport and Human Rights