NADO Program Objectives
- Development and Capacity Building: To assist and support NADOs in building capacity towards the implementation of harmonized, coordinated and effective anti-doping programs.
- Compliance: To support NADOs with compliance to the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and International Standards and adherence to the requirements of WADA’s Compliance Monitoring Program.
- Independence: To strengthen NADO independence and governance by providing guidance and tools that are in line with the principles of the Code.
- Relations and Engagement: To establish and further develop collaborative relations with NADOs and other stakeholders.
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WADA has published a Guide for the Operational Independence of National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) that supports NADOs in strengthening and reinforcing their operational independence as required by the Code. The Guide outlines the regulatory and practical measures that should be in place to ensure NADOs can comply with the Code.
A Working Group on the Operational Independence of NADOs was created in 2025 at the request of the WADA Executive Committee, following recommendation #6.2 from the August 2024 Cottier Report. The Working Group is tasked with further exploring the issue of NADO operational independence, including the structure of the various NADOs and the impact of good governance.
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WADA provides daily assistance to NADOs through all its departments, programs, and activity areas. We also facilitate NADO-NADO partnerships. These partnerships include a detailed project plan where a more experienced NADO mentors a less developed NADO by providing training and guidance.
This type of collaboration amongst Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) is critical to developing clean sport globally. In order to assist ADOs with this collaboration, WADA has developed a Guide for International Cooperation Projects for ADOs, which includes templates for an ADO Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Project Plan.
