New Project of the Sports Partnership between Trier New Year’s Eve Run Association (e.V.) and Rwanda Athletics Federation

Three years of intensive preparatory work are now bearing fruit since early 2025

The clear objective of supporting running-enthusiastic youth from precarious circumstances in Rwanda through sports and personal development, offering them prospects for a better future, has impressed us. This statement from the ANTONIA RUUT FOUNDATION appeared in the official letter Hans Tilly held with satisfaction late last year. It confirmed the approval of substantial funding for the “Rise and Shine Academy”, which the board spokesperson of the Silvesterlauf Trier association had prepared long-term together with John Peter Ndacyayisenga. Three years of intensive preparatory work are now bearing fruit since early 2025. Youth from the poorest regions of Rhineland-Palatinate’s East African partner country gain development opportunities through sports. Funding is secured through 2027 thanks to the Antonia Ruut Foundation, additional grants including from RLP, and resources from the Silvesterlauf association.

In 2016, Tilly initiated a sports partnership between Silvesterlauf Trier e.V. and Rwanda’s athletics federation Rwanda Athletics. Building on this, elite runners’ participation in the traditional Bitburger 0.0% New Year’s Eve Run in Trier has become tradition. 2019 launched a sports-cultural youth exchange featuring reciprocal visits between Rwandan youth and the Trier region. The “Rise and Shine Academy” now forms the third module of this sports-based development cooperation.

“It’s about promoting talented youth, equally girls and boys regardless of social origin or economic status, paving their way to national and international elite levels,” describes Tilly, noting objectives extending beyond sports. The athletically and academically supported Rwandan youth should “become ‘change agents’ using their sports-derived popularity” – acting as ambassadors who “positively influence family, neighborhood, and community structures” to advance gender equality and counter domestic violence.

To achieve these goals, the concept provides resources now enabled by funding:

Qualified sports coaches
Training equipment
Training camps
Development coaches
Nutrition advisors
Medically trained staff

Ensuring sustainability, the project runs for at least three years. First, talents under 15 are scouted. Selected runners receive targeted training in speed, endurance, and technique to reach national elite level, while maintaining academic progress.

Rwanda’s national coach Ndacyayisenga (Leipzig sports science graduate) explains: “The Rise and Shine Academy is more than a training program. It aims to co-shape Rwandan youth’s future and highlight sports’ role in social development.” Through talent identification and holistic athlete development, it seeks to establish long-term athletic and societal progress foundations.

Perhaps soon talents from this small landlocked country will compete with traditionally dominant African nations Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. A glimpse came at the recent Trier New Year’s Eve Run, where Emeline Imanizabayo and Claire Uwitonze celebrated a Rwandan women’s double victory – eight years after Rwandan athletes first competed in Trier. Athletes’ success-generated funds will partially support poverty reduction in Rwanda.

“We’re deeply grateful to Trier-based Antonia Ruut Foundation for supporting the Academy’s realization,” says Hans Tilly. The foundation justified its funding by stating “the comprehensive presentation of planned measures and associated positive impacts on participants and their communities” convincingly demonstrated the project’s significance.

Antonia Ruut Foundation history (excerpt from website):

Origin

Since our 2005 founding, we’ve sought to support people in need. Inspired to positively impact the world, our journey began with a simple idea – helping those most in need.

Mission

Commencing operations in 2008, we’ve committed to fighting poverty and inequality, believing everyone deserves support especially where need is greatest.

Location

Based in Germany’s oldest city, Trier, we plan and coordinate projects for maximum positive impact.

Impact

We’ve made a difference in over 180 projects worldwide, focusing internationally on West Africa, Ethiopia, and Paraguay, while supporting local Trier initiatives.

About the Antonia Ruut Foundation’s Founder

Article link: https://silvesterlauf.de/em-aktuelles/hilfe-aus-trier-fuer-ruanda/

Contact: Silvesterlauf Trier e.V. • Maarstraße 6 • 54292 Trier • Email: kontakt@silvesterlauf.de

Partnership Gallery between Silvesterlauf Trier association and Rwanda Athletics: