No. 26 IPC releases new four year Strategic Plan

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) published its latest Strategic Plan for 2015-2018, detailing how it hopes to deliver another four years of success. The Strategic Plan aims to consolidate the growth of the Paralympic Games, increase global participation in para-sport and improve the recognition and value of the Paralympic brand. This is the IPC’s No. 26 of the Top 50 Moments of 2015.

Developed during 2014 and 2015, the IPC consulted many stakeholders, including those who attended last October’s IPC Membership Gathering in Berlin, Germany, and took on board findings from its strategic review of the Paralympic Games which was conducted in 2013.

The IPC Governing Board and Bonn, Germany, based management team then developed the plan, which is centred around six strategic goals:

•Consolidate the Paralympic Games as a premier sporting event

•Empower para-athletes and support the development of para-sports

•Improve the recognition and value of the Paralympic brand

•Build sustainable funding

•Shape organisational capability

•Foster key strategic partnerships

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, said: “In 2014, the IPC celebrated its 25th anniversary, an event that highlighted just how far the Paralympic Movement has come in a relatively short space of time.

“Through the Strategic Plan 2015-2018, the IPC aims to become an even more athlete-centred organisation. The sporting world is evolving and we need to be leading the way, working together with athletes to overcome the challenges we face and take advantage of the many opportunities that are out there.

“Crucial to our growth is the continued success of the Paralympic Games and our relationship with the International Olympic Committee, but we must develop in other areas too.

“We need to capitalise on the growing awareness of the Paralympic brand and para-sport. The Agitos Foundation will lead on increasing global participation in para-sport at all levels, the IPC will explore new commercial opportunities, and the IPC Academy will continue to improve educational standards throughout the Paralympic Movement.

“We are in our best position to-date to become financially sustainable over the next four years and, as the IPC grows in size, we must also improve our governance in many areas, in particular athlete classification which has a direct impact on all para-athletes.”

To coincide with the launch of the new plan, the IPC developed a new aspiration “To make for a more inclusive society for people with an impairment through para-sport,” which reflects the Paralympic Movement’s track record in helping to change attitudes towards people with an impairment.

The IPC’s vision has also been updated. “To enable para-athletes to achieve sporting excellence and inspire and excite the world,” highlights that the vision applies to para-athletes at all levels from the grassroots to the high performance level and not solely to Paralympians who compete at the Paralympic Games.

Sir Philip Craven added: “The Paralympic Games are now the world’s third biggest sporting event and the world’s number one sporting event for driving social inclusion.

“This is a position we want to maintain, however by developing a 365-day sporting calendar, we want para-sport at all levels, and not just at the Games, to act as a catalyst for making for a more inclusive society. Therefore we developed a new aspiration and adapted our vision accordingly to reflect this change in approach.”

The new IPC Strategic Plan 2015-2018 can be found here.