Mapping SFD stakeholders - A social network analysis of stakeholder relationship networks in Africa and Europe

Despite the massively institutionalised nature of Sport for Development (SFD), little is understood of the connectivity between organisations within and between different regions. In the present study a typology of organisational actors (i.e., funders, facilitators, and implementers) was derived and examined through the lens of network theory to better understand how knowledge and resources are exchanged for successful program delivery. The current research assessed the basic structure of the SFD networks in Europe and Africa and comparison between regions. Visual representations of the relationships between the main players in each region were developed in conjunction with the categorical typology of actors. Results indicate the density of the African network is lower than that of the European network, which suggests lower efficiency in how information, knowledge, and resources flow through the African network of regional actors. Top actors in the African network were more prominent than those within the European network.