Critically Examining the Norwegian Sport for Development and Peace Context: Partnerships and Policies

This study examined the way in which the Norwegian Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) landscape was influenced by the partnerships and policies of five Norwegian organizations involved in SDP. Using multiple instrumental case studies and drawing on partnership and postcolonial theories, study findings showed how human rights advocacy and gender equality promotion were key policy imperatives shared amongst the Norwegian SDP actors. The results echoed how Norwegian SDP actors upheld the instrumental value of sport and sought to develop sport structures in the areas of operation. Further, the study demonstrated how the actors involved mutually benefitted from the partnerships. For instance, certain organizations gained access to funding opportunities where other actors developed organizational legitimacy and status as reputable development actors. The results of this study revealed how resource-dependency, legitimacy and reciprocity defined the relationships and how such relations informed the SDP actors key decisions concerning its involvement in SDP.