IODA has more than doubled the number of member national associations over the last twelve years and is committed to bringing the benefits of sailing to young people worldwide. It offers limited financial aid to "newer" countries in three areas.
the "6 for 5" scheme
Countries seeking to start or enlarge Optimist fleets can apply for one free boat for every five bought.
Consideration may also be given to supplying sails and rigs for locally-built wood/epoxy Optimists.
More than 270 Optimists have been sponsored under this scheme in the last seven years. Countries which have benefited so far are:

IODA has an ongoing programme of courses to train "basic-level" coaches. These are intended for newer Optimist sailing countries and regions which do not have an established national coaching programme.
An experienced Optimist trainer is sent to conduct a course of max. ten days duration. Ideally ten coaches attend, together with not more than 20 under-13 sailors.
Travel costs and fees are paid by IODA, up to US$2,500 per course.
To date nineteen such courses have been held, involving 28 countries.
The latest, held this year, have been in Sudan and Vanuatu.
To encourage participation in regional regattas IODA offers free entry and/or travel for certain countries to send sailors to continental and regional regattas.
Those benefitting in recent years included Cook I, Cuba, Georgia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Kenya, Macedonia FYR, Mauritius, Montenegro, Netherlands Antilles, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, St. Vincent, Samoa, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
APPLICATIONS FOR 2010 ARE INVITED
Just write to the IODA Secretariat and tell us what YOU need to help to develop Optimist sailing in YOUR country.
Countries which already have a Member National Optimist Association should apply through that association.
2010 DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Instructor Training Course begins in Sudan
IODA grant programme continues: Instructor Training Course begins in Sudan
Following the arrival in December of the 12 Optimists bought by the Sudan Sailing Federation, with subsidies from the IODA, the Sudan Sailing Federation and the Blue Nile Sailing Club hosted an instructors’ course, delivered by coach Mohamed Bouchema (Algeria), who has served as trainer to both the Algerian and Kuwaiti national squads.

This course, made possible by an IODA grant, was delivered in the Arabic language and trained ‘basic level’ coaches to enable more young sailors to enjoy the sport of sailing.
Many countries who do not have an established national coaching programme have applied for and received this IODA grant. Some of the beneficiaries of this programme now have large Optimist fleets and are participating at IODA Continental and World Championships.
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