As part of its commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, Allianz has launched the Unity Awards, a new initiative aimed at recognizing individuals and grassroots clubs that use sport as a tool to build stronger and more cohesive communities. The initiative invites coaches, athletes, and fans to share in a 30-second video how sport has united their community.

Applications will be open from June 1 to 30, 2025, and can be submitted via social media using the hashtag #AllianzUnityAwards or through the Power of Unity content hub. Winners, selected in various categories, will receive Unity shirts, public recognition, and financial support from the Allianz MoveNow fund, which aims to strengthen community projects through sport.

Recognizing those who inspire at the local level

The Unity Awards are part of the global program The Power of Unity, which aims to show how, in an increasingly polarized world, sport can be a space for connection and belonging. Eike Bürgel, global director of Olympic and Paralympic programs at the company, emphasized that this initiative seeks to honor the unsung heroes who, through their volunteer work, teach essential values to the next generation.

The initiative is based on findings from the MoveNow study on Thought Leadership, developed in collaboration with Olympism365 from the IOC, which demonstrated how sport promotes inclusion, friendship, and the development of social skills among youth. Programs like Squared Ball, focused on empowering girls through football, have been launched, and support continues for clubs and sports federations in over 60 countries, reinforcing the vision of sport as a driver of positive change.