Building on one of the proposals given by the Youth Fellows at the 2022 International Youth Conference, this paper discusses the possibility of using sports as a tool for community building. By looking at how three aspects of social cohesion; socioeconomic status; common values and social capital; and social and institutional trust, this paper assesses the potential of sports policies to reduce polarization and strengthen democracy. The paper concludes that sports have the capability to foster both inclusive and exclusive communities, and that policy makers and implementing bodies must ensure that policies and programs prioritize diversity and social inclusion. Furthermore, the paper argues that for sports policies to succeed in promoting social cohesion, they need to adopt and holistic approach to the dimensions of social cohesion, taking into account economic, social, and structural circumstances of sports participants.
