An exciting new chapter for International Inspiration

United Purpose: Merger of Concern Universal & International Inspiration

The charities Concern Universal and International Inspiration ‘IN’ are delighted to announce their merger, which sees these two highly innovative international development charities combine their experience and reach to address global sustainable development needs.

The world is facing immense challenges with billions of the world’s population living in poverty. There is rising inequality, enormous disparities in wealth and power, and rising unemployment, especially among youth, is fuelling discontent. To effectively respond to these global challenges, there is a need to explore brave new ways of working and in coming together Concern Universal and International Inspiration are responding to this need by increasing their collective contribution to a fairer, safer, better world for all.

International Inspiration ‘IN’ was founded by Lord Coe on the promise that the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games would inspire a generation through sport, and since that time IN has been working to engage disenfranchised young people through sport - improving quality of life, increasing access to opportunity and helping young people to make informed decisions about the future. 

Concern Universal is an established international development charity, with 40 years’ experience in community lead development and a proven track record of working with people in some of the poorest countries in the world to find sustainable solutions to poverty and inequality. 

Bringing together their expertise and experience the charities will now operate under the name United Purpose. This new chapter will allow the charities to increase their collective impact and demonstrate an innovative new approach that sees sport and young people at the heart of working towards a more peaceful, prosperous and equitable world. 

Sir Martin Davidson, Chairman of International Inspiration said:

‘We are very excited about the merger, with the undoubted advantage of extending the sport for development agenda across a wider number of countries and programme opportunities.  We will retain our distinct identity, our approach and connections but will now have the advantage of accessing the broader experience of Concern Universal and being part of a much larger coordinated movement for change.’

Speaking for Concern Universal, CEO Kathryn Llewellyn said:

‘There is no doubt that sport is an international language, a great engager, both of those who use sport to raise funds for poverty programmes and for those in developing countries where IN’s inspiring programmes make such an impact. We are very excited with IN joining the Concern Universal family to drive forward a vision of a world where sport can be used as a powerful force for global good – inspiring unity, equity and opportunity for all.’