Allianz has introduced the Unity Awards, an initiative aimed at recognising individuals and organisations that use sport to support social inclusion and community engagement.
The awards invite applications from across the sports community, with a focus on those who demonstrate how sport can bring people together across different backgrounds.
Applicants, including coaches, players, volunteers and parents, are asked to submit short videos sharing their “unity through sport” stories. The company said submissions can be made via social media or through its Power of Unity content hub. The application window runs from June 1 to 30, 2025.
The Unity Awards are part of Allianz’s broader Power of Unity programme, launched in late 2024, which seeks to address social division and encourage mutual understanding through various initiatives. The programme supports both local and international efforts, reflecting the insurer’s long-standing involvement in global sport.
A recent study by Allianz and the International Olympic Committee surveyed 5,000 young people aged 12 to 24 and 2,000 parents across 10 countries. Findings from the survey suggest that sport plays a role in building social connections, with 77% of respondents saying it helps them make friends, and 72% stating they see a wider societal benefit.
The Unity Awards will offer selected recipients both public recognition and financial support through Allianz’s MoveNow Fund. Support may include new equipment, facility upgrades, or other forms of assistance identified by recipients. Stories from the awards will also feature in Allianz campaigns in the UK and Germany, including a social media and influencer component.
Allianz is a partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements and contributed to the organisation of the Paris 2024 Games. It also partners with the German Bobsleigh, Luge and Skeleton Federation and sponsors both the men’s and women’s teams at FC Bayern. In addition, Allianz runs programmes such as Squared Ball, which provides financial education to young female footballers, and MoveNow, which encourages physical activity among youth.
