Judith Macharia

Judith Macharia is an International Sport for Development practitioner with over six years of experience working at the intersection of sport policy and governance, peacebuilding, and development. Her work focuses on designing and implementing sport-based programs and policies, as well as contributing to research that supports youth development, women’s participation, and the inclusion of marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities.

She has worked with grassroots organizations, multilateral institutions, and local communities on initiatives that use sport to promote peace, social cohesion, and community development. This experience has allowed her to support community-led approaches while linking local initiatives to broader development frameworks.

Judith has previously worked with the United Nations, where she contributed to programmes including Sport for One Humanity, the Intercultural Innovation Hub, and the UN Global Programme on the Security of Major Sporting Events and Prevention of Violent Extremism. These programmes focused on strengthening the role of sport in promoting social cohesion and peacebuilding, while building the capacity of grassroots sports organizations to advance sustainable peace and development.

Judith has also led and supported community-based initiatives focused on adaptive sport, fan engagement, financial sustainability, and strengthening capacities of grassroots sports organizations to sustain their programs and impact.

As a Rotary Peace Fellow, she aims to further develop sport-based approaches that support inclusive development, social cohesion, and community resilience across Africa and globally.