International associations like UNICEF, WHO, and World Development Agency are changing their traditional methods for development and use sport in progress of planning. It also concerns employment, human rights, infrastructure and services. Sport for Development (SFD) is using sport, for developmental goals and emphasizes on access and engagement of all people in social and individual benefits. It differs from sport development that includes progress of athletes, coaches, organizations and institutions related to sport. In fact, researches and practitioners of SFD look for the process of social development. This project is, in Toto, process of development in developing countries. Using sport for public health, socialization of kids, youth and adults in less developed nations and interaction of cultures for crisis management are main goals of SFD. Lyras is the first scholar that introduced this idea for the first time. In 2001, United Nations Office for Sport, Development and Peace (UNOSDP) recognized this idea for the first time as an international organization. In 2003, during the World congress of sport and development in Mc Ligen, Switzerland, decreasing tension among nations and the effects of media, health, environmental programs, and dialog among nations via sport were emphasized. Even the UN named 2005 as the world year of sport and physical education.
In 1991 Jon Sugden, held Football and Basketball events for decreasing unrest of Catholics and Protestants! This project emphasized on values of sport instead of competition aspects. Concepts like team cohesion and leadership mentioned in these games. In fact, theorists of SFD categorized it in 7 groups: sport for disables. Sport and education, sport and sex, sport and health, sport and livelihood, sport and peace, and social cohesion. As we can see the project covers a broad spectrum and in fact uses this pillars for social development. It's interesting that even political and economic development are affected by social development. SFD has experienced a fast progress during its 15 years of living. Researchers can explore on fields like social capital, entrepreneurship, innovative programs, social values and ethics. SFD theorists believe on synergy and look for great ideas that lead to great outcomes.