‘London 2012 will be the most far-reaching sporting and cultural event in the world to date. These Games are for the whole of the UK, for sport and culture, for volunteers and business.’ – Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Since the launch of Inspire in 2008, people across the nations and regions of the UK have developed more than 2,700 amazing projects as part of the programme portfolio. These projects have been inspired by London 2012 and have created thousands of opportunities for millions of people to feel part of the Games and get involved in activity spanning sport, education, culture, volunteering and sustainability.
The Inspire programme has awarded these non-commercial projects with the Inspire mark as an acknowledgment of their excellence and as a promotional tool to allow them to connect with the Games and reach out to new audiences.
Inspire in the spotlight
In 2012 we celebrate the projects and the people who have been inspired by the Games to do something extraordinary. Since the programme was launched as part of the Cultural Olympiad in 2008, more than 10 million people have been involved in one of the 2,700 Inspire projects across the United Kingdom. We will tell their story and show how the Games are leaving a lasting legacy of inspiration and change throughout the UK.
Inspire applications
As of 1 December 2011 organisations can no longer apply for the Inspire mark. Read more about our amazing Inspire projects and Inspire people, and visit the Local Leaders’ website to find out how you can celebrate and feel part of the Games.
A lasting legacy
The Inspire programme was designed for everyone, using the power of the Games to drive change across six key themes:
Culture projects
– deliver an inspiring Cultural Olympiad that encourages wide participation
– deliver a wider cultural festival that generates a positive legacy, including increased capacity,
economic impact, social cohesion and enhanced community identity
Sport projects:
– increase participation in grass roots sports, sport competition and physical activity
– improve Olympic and Paralympic medal table performance
Culture projects:
– deliver an inspiring Cultural Olympiad that encourages wide participation
– deliver a wider cultural festival that generates a positive legacy, including increased capacity,
economic impact, social cohesion and enhanced community identity
Education projects:
– promote the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect, and the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality
– involve young people in the design, development and delivery of the project
– improve young people’s skills and enhancing employment opportunities
– develop partnerships between institutions and other educational organisations
– where relevant, complement and promote Get Set, London 2012’s education programme for schools and colleges in the UK
Sustainability projects:
– help deliver a sustainable Games
– promote lasting environmental and community benefits using the Games as an example
Volunteering projects:
– encourage volunteering in sport, culture, education and/or sustainability
Business opportunities:
– helping UK business to win Games-related contracts
– showcasing UK and regional business capability in relation to the Games
