DeKalb County Launches Sports Commission for Tourism, Economic Growth – Atlanta Daily World

Report on the DeKalb United Sports Commission and Sustainable Development Goal Alignment

Executive Summary

A new joint initiative, the DeKalb United Sports Commission, was launched by the DeKalb County Government and Discover DeKalb. The commission is strategically positioned to leverage sports as a vehicle for comprehensive community development, with its objectives closely aligning with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The launch event, attended by elected officials, community leaders, and residents, underscored the collaborative approach to achieving these goals.

Strategic Objectives and SDG Integration

The commission’s core mission is to utilize sports to achieve broad economic and social progress. Its primary objectives are directly linked to fostering sustainable development within the region.

1. Stimulate local economic growth and support small businesses.
2. Enhance tourism and establish DeKalb County as a premier destination for major sporting events.
3. Promote youth engagement and well-being through athletic programs.
4. Strengthen community cohesion and social infrastructure.

Contribution to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The initiative is a direct catalyst for advancing SDG 8 by focusing on sustainable economic development and productive employment.

• Economic Stimulation: The commission aims to strengthen the local economy by attracting sporting events, which in turn supports local businesses and creates employment opportunities.
• Sustainable Tourism: By positioning DeKalb as a regional hub for events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the commission promotes sustainable tourism that contributes to job creation and local economic diversification.
• Small Business Growth: A central focus is on creating an economic environment where small businesses can thrive through increased visitor traffic and local engagement related to sporting activities.

Fostering SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The commission’s framework is designed to make DeKalb County more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, in line with the principles of SDG 11.

• Community Cohesion: The initiative unites cities, businesses, and residents, using sports as a common ground to foster a stronger sense of community and social progress.
• Inclusive Public Spaces: By partnering with local parks and athletic organizations, the commission enhances the use of public spaces for community-building activities, making them more vibrant and inclusive.

Advancing SDG 3 and SDG 4: Good Health, Well-being, and Quality Education

A significant component of the commission’s mandate is its focus on youth, which supports both health and educational outcomes.

• Promoting Well-being (SDG 3): Through partnerships with organizations like Rush Union Soccer and Georgia Soccer, the commission actively promotes physical activity and healthy lifestyles among youth.
• Enhancing Education (SDG 4): Collaborations with schools aim to integrate sports into youth development, providing opportunities that contribute to physical education, teamwork, and discipline, thereby supporting a holistic educational experience.

Embodying SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The very structure of the DeKalb United Sports Commission exemplifies SDG 17, which emphasizes the importance of collaboration to achieve sustainable development.

• Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: The initiative is founded on a partnership between a government entity (DeKalb County) and a tourism body (Discover DeKalb).
• Broad-Based Alliance: The launch involved a wide range of stakeholders, including city mayors, state representatives, and private sector leaders, demonstrating a collective commitment to leveraging sports for regional development.

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article directly connects the DeKalb United Sports Commission to economic progress. It states the initiative’s potential to “strengthen the local economy, attract tourism,” and support “small business growth.” CEO Cochran-Johnson is quoted saying sports will be used as a “catalyst for economic… progress,” which aligns with SDG 8’s goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The initiative is focused on community-level development. The article highlights that the commission aims to unite “cities, businesses, and residents” and create “opportunities that strengthen our communities.” This focus on fostering community spirit, social progress, and making DeKalb a regional hub connects to the goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive and sustainable.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The entire initiative is founded on collaboration. The article describes the commission as a “joint initiative between DeKalb County Government and Discover DeKalb.” It also mentions future “partnerships with schools, parks, and athletic organizations across the county.” This multi-stakeholder approach is the core principle of SDG 17.

4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • While not a primary focus, the commission’s goal of promoting “youth engagement” through sports and partnerships with “athletic organizations” inherently supports well-being. Encouraging participation in sports is a key strategy for promoting healthy lifestyles and physical activity, which is a component of SDG 3.

Specific SDG Targets

1. Target 8.9: Promote sustainable tourism

   • The article explicitly states that the commission will focus on “using sports as a driver for tourism” and positioning “DeKalb as a regional hub for major sporting events including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.” This directly aligns with the target of devising and implementing policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs.

2. Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces

   • The commission’s plan to form “partnerships with schools, parks, and athletic organizations” implies the use and enhancement of public spaces for community sporting events. The gathering on the “front lawn of Chamblee City Hall” and the exhibition soccer matches symbolize the use of public spaces to foster community and social inclusion.

3. Target 17.17: Encourage effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships

   • The article identifies the sports commission as a “joint initiative between DeKalb County Government and Discover DeKalb,” which is a clear example of a public-private partnership. The plan to further partner with “schools, parks, and athletic organizations” reinforces this commitment to building multi-stakeholder collaborations to achieve common goals.

Relevant Indicators for Measurement

1. Implied Indicator: Increase in tourism revenue and visitor numbers

   • The article’s emphasis on the commission’s potential to “strengthen the local economy” and “attract tourism” implies that a key measure of success will be the growth in economic activity related to sports events. This could be measured by tracking hotel occupancy rates, visitor spending, and revenue generated by events like the FIFA World Cup watch parties. This relates to official indicator 8.9.1 (Tourism direct GDP).

2. Implied Indicator: Number of new small businesses related to sports and tourism

   • The stated goal of fostering “small business growth” suggests that an indicator of progress would be the number of new businesses (e.g., hospitality, merchandise, local services) that emerge or expand in connection with the sporting events attracted by the commission.

3. Implied Indicator: Level of youth participation in sports programs

   • The goal of increasing “youth engagement” through partnerships with athletic organizations can be directly measured. An indicator would be the number of young people participating in sports leagues, clinics, and events supported or initiated by the commission.

4. Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships

   • The very existence of the “DeKalb United Sports Commission” as a “joint initiative” is an indicator of this target. The resources, both financial and in-kind, committed by the DeKalb County Government and Discover DeKalb to this partnership could be quantified to measure progress.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: atlantadailyworld.com