Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced a £9m investment programme to support sporting projects in five developing countries round the world.

The pilot project is part of a larger scheme called ‘International Inspiration’, which aims engage and inspire the youth of the world through sport in association with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The pilot programmes are taking place in Azerbaijan, Brazil, India, Palau and Zambia, and work has already begun in each of these countries.

Funding for the scheme, which will run until 2010, is being led by UK Sport, with contributions from DFID, UNICEF, the British Council, the FA Premier League and the DCMS.

Speaking on his recent visit to India – which will receive £3.6m – Gordon Brown said: “International Inspiration will use the power of sport to transform the lives of millions of children and young people in schools and communities in countries across the globe.

“It will seek not only to help deliver the ambitions proposed in Singapore, but also to lay the foundations for a long-term international legacy from the London 2012 Olympic Games.”