Safe Soccer Development Programme

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Ukraine, Chernihiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv
Start date 01/01/2026
End date 12/31/2026
Cost of the project €500,000
Foundation funding €150,000
Project identifier 2025000863
Partners Spirit of Soccer
Categories Access to Sport - Conflict victims - Employability - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Personal development

Context

Ukraine’s children face unprecedented dangers amid the ongoing conflict. More than 340 educational facilities were damaged or destroyed in 2025 alone, bringing the total to over 2,800 since the start of the war. Nearly 4.6 million children have had their education disrupted. In addition, 23–30% of the country’s territory is contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance ­– one of the most severe consequences of the war. Since the war began in February 2022, hundreds of children have been killed or injured by explosive remnants, with boys aged 14 to 17 particularly at risk from exploring contaminated areas.

Project goals

To enhance civilian security and foster resilient communities by training football coaches in explosive ordnance risk education so they can provide essential education to at-risk young people.

Project content

  • Delivering 360 professionally run explosive ordnance risk education training sessions (known as Safe Soccer training sessions) in schools in areas affected by explosive remnants of war, reaching 7,000 at-risk young people.
  • Reaching 21,000 indirect beneficiaries via education and coaching workshops, word of mouth, local community tournaments, multimedia campaigns and the distribution of outreach materials.
  • Distributing 500 footballs and 10,050 Safe Soccer notebooks.
  • Holding one Safe Soccer festival per month in each of the three areas, delivering trauma‑informed football training to a group consisting of 40% girls, to deliver trauma-informed football training.
  • Organising six Safe Soccer tournaments throughout the year.

Partner

Football for All – Unified Football in Thuringia

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Arnstadt, Bad Langensalza, Erfurt, Gera, Jena, Suhl and Weimar, Germany
Start date 01/01/2026
End date 06/30/2027
Cost of the project €152,828
Foundation funding €47,828
Project identifier 2025002425
Partners Spirit of Football e.V.
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Conflict victims - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Personal development

Context

Intellectually disabled children in Thuringia often face exclusion from mainstream schools, football clubs and social life. Many love football but lack access due to stigma, financial barriers or lack of support. Girls are especially affected. Unified Football breaks down these barriers through inclusive school and club activities, role models from pro clubs and life-changing events like the Unified Football tournaments – promoting visibility, health, friendships and confidence for all.

Project goals

  • Promote inclusion in schools, clubs and communities, creating shared experiences that break down stigma and build empathy
  • Improve the physical and mental health of intellectually disabled children and young adults while also teaching non-disabled people tolerance, compassion and teamwork
  • Raise visibility and inspire replication, especially in rural Thuringia, through collaborations with (professional) clubs

Project content

Unified Football brings together intellectually disabled and non-disabled children through weekly inclusive football sessions in schools and clubs, awareness-raising workshops, unified community events and inclusive tournaments. The programme fosters empathy, mutual respect, well-being and teamwork. It helps create lasting friendships, reduces stigma and breaks down barriers. Unified Football proves that football is for everyone, regardless of ability, on and off the pitch, locally and internationally.

Partner

Girl Power, Leadership Academy & Refugee World Cup

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Copenhagen, Denmark
Start date 02/02/2026
End date 02/01/2027
Cost of the project €250,000
Foundation funding €51,000
Project identifier 2025001066
Partners Girl Power Organisation
Categories Access to Sport - Conflict victims - Employability - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Personal development

Context

Girls and young women in Europe face numerous challenges that impact their mental health, and studies show that these challenges are even more prevalent among refugees, who are likely to suffer higher rates of depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. Another concern linked to mental health pressures is the rate at which girls from all walks of life drop out of sport during adolescence.

Research shows that approximately 49% of girls stop participating in sports activities in their teenage years. Self-doubt and lack of confidence are among the main reasons. Other factors are societal pressures, body image concerns, and inadequate access to programmes specifically for women and girls. Marginalised girls and young women, like migrants, refugees, and stateless women, face additional difficulties in accessing education and life-skills training due to the systemic structures in place and economic and language barriers.

Societal expectations around the role of women remain an issue, as do the financial constraints and lack of role models that deter girls from playing sport recreationally or professionally. There is a direct connection between sport and mental health: a lack of sufficient physical activity can lead to heightened levels of anxiety and depression, and conversely, engagement in organised sport contributes to better self-esteem, social support, and a sense of belonging. And yet 85% of adolescent girls in Europe don’t meet the levels of activity recommended by the World Health Organization.

Project goals

Girl Power Leadership Academy

  • Provide refugee and marginalised young women with access to coaching qualifications, including international exposure and mentorship
  • Support young leaders in finding real-life applications for the things they have learned during the programme
  • Provide young leaders with practical opportunities to make a difference in their communities, ensuring that the skills and knowledge acquired during the programme are effectively translated into tangible, positive outcomes for the benefit of the community and its younger generations in particular, reinforcing the importance of community leadership and the transformative power of sport
  • Create a geographically and socially diverse network of female sports leaders who understand and promote the importance of girls and women in sport and in local communities, and the impact they can have, and who work to give back to the community

 

Girl Power Refugee World Cup

  • Provide a space for young women in Europe to share their experiences and foster inclusion and integration through sport
  • Create a place where young women can put their skills into practice, as players, coaches, speakers, panellists, communicators, representatives, etc.
  • Showcase how football is driving positive change in communities

Project content

Our project introduces a groundbreaking, holistic model that merges five key pillars – physical activity, leadership education, mentorship, motivational storytelling and public speaking – into transformative activities.

We are launching a year-long, two-part youth leadership and coaching programme for 45 young refugee women in Denmark and other European countries where Girl Power is active. Future leaders will be aged 16 to 25 and selected based on their passion for sport and social change.

  1. Learning and development(six months)
    This phase includes residential, in-person training over five days, supported by expert sessions on safe coaching pathways in girls’ football. Focusing on how to create inclusive, secure and empowering environments where girls feel safe to join and stay in the game, participants will explore issues such as safeguarding, inclusive leadership and coaching methodologies tailored to marginalised communities.
  2. Practical football delivery(six months)
    During this phase, each young leader will form a local girls’ football team that includes refugees and marginalised girls from their community. With the support of Girl Power mentors, they will lead weekly training sessions while being guided in their coaching journeys.

In Denmark, we will continue our weekly football sessions in two refugee and asylum centres, supporting children aged 10 to 13 and 13 to 16-year-old girls’ teams. Additionally, we will collaborate with local schools to deliver storytelling workshops and cultural festivals at which girls from our leadership programme will co-lead activities, promoting community leadership, hands-on learning and the exchange of narratives to foster friendship and connection between refugee and host communities.

We will also organise a refugee football World Cup in Denmark – a unique seven-a-side tournament for teams featuring at least three refugee players and at least three host country citizens. There will be two teams from Denmark and one team from each of the other European countries in which Girl Power is currently active: Germany, Greece, Portugal and the UK. The tournament will feature not only competitive matches but also a podium and panel series, giving space for players and coaches to share their personal stories and show how football is driving positive change in their communities.

All activities throughout the year will be documented and shared on our media channels to amplify their impact and inspire broader action. We will also feature some role models and influential young people to amplify the programme's positive stories and overall impact.

Partner

Invisible Champions

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Serbia, Vranje, Bujanovac and Preševo, Pčinja district
Start date 03/01/2026
End date 11/01/2026
Cost of the project €56,112
Foundation funding €56,112
Project identifier 2025002437
Partners Vranje centre for activism
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Conflict victims - Gender Equality - Personal development

Context

The Pčinja district in southern Serbia is among the country’s least developed and most socially diverse regions. Many children and young adults – particularly girls, Roma children, migrants, refugees and disabled children – face poverty, social exclusion and limited access to safe and organised sports activities.

Much of the district’s sports infrastructure is outdated or neglected, and opportunities for children from different backgrounds to meet and interact through positive, structured activities remain limited. Cooperation between schools, sports clubs and local institutions is also often insufficient, limiting the potential of sport to promote inclusion and healthy development and prevent violence.

Project goals

  • Increase access to safe, inclusive sports activities for marginalised children and young adults, particularly girls, Roma children, migrants, refugees and disabled children
  • Use sport as a tool to promote social inclusion, tolerance and mutual respect among children from different ethnic and social backgrounds
  • Reduce gender, social and cultural barriers through activities that mix sport with learning
  • Improve access to safe and functional sports infrastructure in local communities
  • Promote healthy lifestyles, non-violence, teamwork and fair play among children and young adults
  • Strengthen cooperation between schools, sports clubs, civil society organisations and local authorities to ensure long-term impact and sustainability
  • Empower children and young adults by providing safe spaces where they can participate, develop and interact with their peers

Project content

We run a comprehensive set of sports, educational and community-based activities targeting children from marginalised backgrounds that offer safe access to sport and contribute to improving local sports facilities and strengthening partnerships at community level. By creating spaces where children can play, learn and grow together, Invisible Champions fosters tolerance, equality and social cohesion, contributing to the well-being of children and the long-term resilience of local communities.

All activities are implemented in close cooperation with schools, sports clubs, civil society organisations and local authorities, and are continuously monitored and documented to ensure quality, transparency and sustainability.

  • Sports clubs are established in partner primary schools, and trained coaches and teachers lead weekly basketball, football and volleyball training sessions, adapted to ensure that marginalised children can participate
  • Young volunteers work alongside local communities and partners to renovate and revitalise neglected sports fields by cleaning, painting, repairing and installing basic sports equipment and creating safer, more accessible spaces for children’s activities
  • Under the Sport programme, educational workshops complement sports activities by addressing topics such as tolerance, gender equality, non-violence, child safeguarding and discrimination prevention, while encouraging dialogue, teamwork and respect
  • Inclusive sports tournaments bring together mixed teams of children from different communities and engage parents, schools and local communities, fostering cooperation and fair play and strengthening social cohesion
  • The digital platform My Sport, My Voice provides information on local sports opportunities, training schedules and renovated facilities, while also giving children a space to share experiences and stories

Partner

Together is OK!

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Bosnia and Herzegovina, Čajniče, Foča, Goražde and Ustikolina
Start date 01/01/2026
End date 12/31/2026
Cost of the project €87,000
Foundation funding €58,860
Project identifier 2025000985
Partners Football Friends
Categories Access to Sport - Conflict victims - Gender Equality - Personal development

Context

Bosnia and Herzegovina is still experiencing unresolved post-conflict tensions and the negative consequences of the ruthless war of the 1990s, all of which particularly affect young people and ethnic groups.

Together is OK! is a tried-and-tested project successfully implemented in 2022 and 2023 with the support of the UEFA Foundation.

Project goals

  • Promote tolerance, social inclusion and gender equality among young people from post-conflict communities through football
  • Empower boys and girls to use sport as a tool for personal development, dialogue and lasting peace

Project content

The project includes regular football3 matches played by mixed-gender and mixed-ethnicity teams in four towns and villages in Bosnia and Herzegovina, combined with structured social activities such as workshops, seminars and community gatherings. The programme also includes youth tournaments and continuous dialogue-based activities that strengthen cooperation, understanding and fair play. Additional activities for 2026 will include a festival in Foča.

Partner

Logo-FF-est

Promoting inclusion and social development through football

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Aden, Lahj and Abyain governorates, Yemen
Start date 01/01/2026
End date 10/31/2026
Cost of the project €138,458
Foundation funding €77,634
Project identifier 2025001808
Partners Helpcode Italia ETS
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Conflict victims - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Personal development

Context

According to the Yemen Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025, an estimated 19.5 million people across Yemen (1.3 million more than in 2024) need humanitarian assistance and protection services amid ongoing armed conflict, displacement and health emergencies. This represents more than half of the country's population, and children comprise over 55% of those in need (5.3 million girls and 5.5 million boys or 10.8 million children in all).

Within the scope of the project are also over 2,500 members of the Muhamasheen (the Arabic term for marginalised), a Yemeni underclass that has endured centuries of discrimination, exploitation and poverty. Conflict and displacement have further exacerbated their challenges, exposing them to heightened risks of gender-based violence, child marriage, trafficking, child labour, sexual exploitation and abuse. These vulnerabilities are compounded by limited access to essential services, education, healthcare, shelter and livelihoods.

Recent Helpcode data from the target area identified significant gaps in access to essential services such as child protection, psychosocial support and structured sports programmes. Parents reported that many children experienced emotional distress due to insecurity, displacement and exposure to violence, and reported behavioural issues such as acts of violence (53%), bullying (30%) and anger (12%). Approximately 67% of households reported children engaging in hazardous work such as selling khat, collecting plastics and begging. This not only deprives children of their right to education but also exposes them to exploitation, abuse and health risks.

Sports interventions can address protection gaps, promote resilience and foster social cohesion among vulnerable children and adolescents. Schools would have the potential to support such activities, particularly at the primary level, if they had the necessary equipment, coaches and resources. Of the 12 schools in the target area, only two girls' primary schools offer (limited) sports activities. At the secondary level, there are no sports programmes for boys or girls. Furthermore, none of the schools have locally trained coaches or organise after-school community sports initiatives, leaving children and adolescents with no structured physical exercise or recreation, putting them at greater risk of recruitment into armed groups, child marriage, exploitative labour, trafficking and other dangerous activities.

Project goals

  • Improve the physical and psychosocial well-being of war-affected children and adolescents through structured sports programmes
  • Use sport to promote tolerance, inclusion, resilience and respect within displaced and host communities

Project content

  1. Start-up workshops and community awareness-raising

A start-up workshop will be organised in each of the three governorates to introduce the project, discuss the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders, and raise awareness in the community about the objectives, activities, and expected outcomes.

  1. Community football teams

A total of 12 ‘cub’ teams (ages 10–14) and 12 youth teams (ages 15–25) will be set up, with a focus on including displaced, vulnerable, and marginalised youngsters, including girls where culturally appropriate.

  1. Community-based sports events and leagues

Regular leagues, intercommunity matches, and friendly tournaments will be organised to foster interaction, reduce tensions, and encourage unity among young people from different backgrounds. Activities will be organised in clusters.

  1. Sports equipment and uniforms

Footballs, team kits (shirts and shorts), cones, goals, markers, and first-aid kits will be given to the local teams, which will continue to benefit from them after the project ends.

  1. Awareness sessions

A total of 450 short, interactive awareness sessions will be organised at the community-based sports events and other gatherings on topics such as peacebuilding, acceptance, anti-discrimination and conflict resolution, in coordination with local schools, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and community-based protection networks.

Partner

Creating a safe play space for refugee children in Boa Vista

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Waraotuma a Tuaranoko refugee shelter in Boa Vista, Brazil
Start date 01/01/2026
End date 12/31/2026
Cost of the project €175,958
Foundation funding €120,000
Project identifier 2025001012
Partners KLABU Foundation
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Conflict victims - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Infrastructure and equipment - Personal development

Context

Over 6 million Venezuelans have been displaced due to an ongoing socio-economic crisis in Venezuela. The most vulnerable include indigenous groups such as the Warao, Pemon, and Kariña, who face severe marginalisation. Many of them have found refuge in Brazil.

KLABU has opened a clubhouse at Waraotuma a Tuaranoko, a shelter that is home to 1,300 refugees (800 of whom are minors), making it the largest shelter for indigenous refugees in Latin America. However, the only community sports pitch in the shelter is in poor condition and poses safety risks.

Project goals

  • Construct a safe, inclusive, and community-designed sports pitch at the Waraotuma a Tuaranoko shelter using love.fútbol’s participatory methodology.
  • Enable regular sports and recreational activities for children and young people from refugee and host communities.
  • Foster social inclusion and resilience through tournaments, events, and volunteer-led
  • Create local ownership and sustainability by engaging refugee volunteers and the local partner in maintenance and ongoing programming.

Project content

In partnership with love.fútbol, KLABU aims to rebuild the main sports pitch at the Waraotuma a Tuaranoko shelter and to make it a sustainable hub for sport and community. In addition, they will upgrade nearby infrastructure (a volleyball court, seating around the court, and a play area) and organise inclusive activities that will also be open to people from the six other nearby shelters. KLABU’s clubhouse is already active, and the new sports facilities will offer safe, inclusive spaces where children thrive, and community pride grows.

Partner

Championing an Inclusive Future through Football 2.0

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Germany, Hongary, Spain
Start date 01/01/2025
End date 12/31/2027
Cost of the project €260,544
Foundation funding €260,544
Project identifier 20245000
Partners FedEx
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Conflict victims - Employability - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Infrastructure and equipment

Context

As an official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League during the 2021–2024 cycle, FedEx extended its commitment beyond commercial sponsorship to include a robust social responsibility programme. This initiative spotlighted key social issues in the host cities of the UEFA Champions League finals: Paris in 2022, Istanbul in 2023, and London in 2024. Through the Championing an Inclusive Future through Football programme, FedEx provided financial support to non-profit organisations that use football as a platform to promote inclusivity and social cohesion within local communities.

Building on this success, FedEx will continue its engagement for the 2025–2027 cycle, supporting projects in the UEFA Champions League final host cities: Munich in 2025, Budapest in 2026, and Madrid in 2027. This renewed commitment underscores FedEx’s dedication to creating lasting social impact through sport.

2025

SCORING GIRLS* was founded in 2016 by former professional footballer Tugba Tekkal with the mission to empower girls* through football. While the work begins on the pitch, it goes far beyond sport, rooted in a strong pedagogical concept. The approach integrates five key competence areas—Teamwork, Self-efficacy, Resilience, Body Positivity, and Social Participation—into football training and educational activities.

Through this, participants not only enhance their athletic skills but also strengthen confidence, resilience, and personal development.

The target group includes girls* aged 8–18, with and without refugee or migration backgrounds, most coming from marginalised communities. SCORING GIRLS* currently operates at three sites in Cologne and four in Berlin, and in 2025 expanded to Munich in partnership with FC Bayern München.

2026

 

Project goals

2025

SCORING GIRLS*

  • Promote social participation and equal opportunities for girls
  • Build a strong, inclusive community and give visibility to strong role models
  • Empower girls* through competence development and mentoring for personal growth and responsibility.

 

Project content

2025

SCORING GIRLS*

Weekly Football Training

Core activity: weekly football sessions led by coaches and pedagogical staff. Training blends fun, education, and football to build confidence, resilience, responsibility, and teamwork. Feedback follows each session. Experienced girls (17 and older) act as peer mentors, fostering collaboration and role modelling.

Educational Activities

Beyond training, we offer vacation programs with matches, excursions, and workshops, as well as year-round tournaments and dialogues with inspiring figures from politics, media, culture, and sports.

Mentoring Programme

Launching in 2025: SCORING GIRLS* mentoring initiative with support from high-profile ambassadors (e.g., Nikeata Thompson, Fabian Reese, Lena Oberdorf) to enhance visibility and provide strong role models.

Public Relations & Networking

We actively promote SCORING GIRLS* to raise awareness and engage participants in advocacy, leveraging high-reach partners for stronger community impact.

Use of the FedEx/UEFA Foundation Grant

  • Infrastructure for the new Munich location
  • Staff and trainers
  • Transport costs
  • Events and workshops

Partners

FedEx_UEFA Champions_Lockup_Hor Pos RGB

Education and sport for vulnerable children in Afghanistan

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Kabul, Nangarhar and Parwan provinces, Afghanistan
Start date 01/01/2025
End date Ongoing
Cost of the project €316,230
Foundation funding €75,000
Project identifier 2024001460
Partners Action for Development (Switzerland)
Categories Access to Sport - Conflict victims - Employability - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Personal development - Strengthening partnerships

Context

Afghanistan has experienced over five decades of conflict, violence and systemic inequality, leading to significant loss of life, displacement, poverty and food insecurity.  

Since the Taliban's takeover in August 2021, the situation has deteriorated further, particularly for women and girls, who face severe restrictions on their rights to education, work and participation in public life. Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls aged 13 and over are denied access to formal education.  

These developments have been accompanied by a rise in gender-based violence, including forced marriages, trafficking and child labour, leaving women and girls in a state of even greater vulnerability. 

School closures threaten to create a generation of illiterate women and girls and fuel cycles of poverty and social inequality.  

Education and physical activities such as sport are vital to address these challenges. They not only counteract the destructive effects of conflict but also foster resilience, self-confidence and hope among children, helping them overcome the mental and social scars of prolonged oppression. 

Project goals

Overall objective 

Reduce poverty and child labour by educating and improving the quality of life of children in Afghanistan and equipping them to support themselves as they enter adulthood 

Specific objectives 

  • Provide access to quality education and food to 750 children through centres for street-working children and home-based schooling 
  • Improve the life skills and resilience of children aged 13 and over with a focus on improving gender parity  
  • Provide vocational education and training to 50 students 

Project content

The project will focus on providing education and sports opportunities to two main groups in Kabul, Nangarhar and Parwan provinces: out-of-school street-working children aged 6 to 13 (boys and girls) and out-of-school girls aged 13 to 17, fostering resilience in the face of ongoing adversity, promoting mental well-being and equipping them with the tools needed to build a brighter future.  

AfD provides semi-formal education (basic literacy, numeracy, sport, computer literacy), food, psychosocial support, football training, health checks and vaccinations to the young street-working children, remote schooling from home for girls aged 13 and over, and various vocational training options. All education centres are designed to be within walking distance for the beneficiaries. 

AfD develops special training and online learning methodologies to ensure access to education and improve digital literacy skills and confidence with education technology. 

Teachers are given training, support with school supplies, internet access, a high-quality, flexible curriculum and a teaching platform for remote schooling.  

AfD will build relationships with universities to promote scholarships for vulnerable girls, and will continue to advocate for and provide English language classes to broaden Afghan students’ access to global educational platforms, many of which are available only in English. 

As well as English and computer classes, AfD teaches about children’s and human rights, the realities of child and human trafficking, coping mechanisms, mental stress and resilience. 

Partners

The Green Side – football against crime in Medellin 

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location El Pinar and El Limonar, Medellin, Colombia
Start date 01/16/2025
End date Ongoing
Cost of the project €109,128
Foundation funding €85,049
Project identifier 2024000488 
Partners Ankla Foundation
Categories Access to Sport - Conflict victims - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Personal development

Context

Gang-related crime is a growing problem across the world. Known as the capital of violence and cocaine use, the Colombian city of Medellin is home to over 100 gangs that recruit teenage children to carry out criminal activities (murder, drug dealing, armed robbery, prostitution, etc.). Football has been found to be highly effective in protecting young people in vulnerable neighbourhoods against recruitment by armed gangs.   

Project goals

  • Prevent children being recruited by criminal gangs  
  • Promote social transformation and peaceful coexistence in vulnerable neighbourhoods
  • Improve children’s physical and mental health  
  • Promote children’s rights and psychosocial care  
  • Empower children and foster their personal development  

Project content

The project will reach 320 children (30% of them girls) in two vulnerable neighbourhoods in the outskirts of Medellin, with the following activities run in each one by football coaches, psychologists and social workers:  

  • Five weekly football training sessions
  • Participation in different leagues 
  • Eight psychosocial workshops a month for children and/or families, promoting psychological well-being, social cohesion and non-violent conflict resolution 
  • Individual psychosocial support when required, for example for victims of domestic abuse and children who are struggling academically 

Partners

Bloomsbury Communities

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location London, UK
Start date 09/09/2024
End date Ongoing
Cost of the project €456,373
Foundation funding €47,505
Project identifier 2024000446 
Partners Bloomsbury Football Foundation
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Conflict victims - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Personal development - Strengthening partnerships

Context

Only 44% of young people (and 41.9% of girls) from low-income households in the UK currently meet the government’s physical activity guidelines. Physical and mental health is therefore being put at risk, while systemic health and social inequalities are being exacerbated. Many young people simply cannot afford to play football, with girls, child refugees and asylum-seekers, and children with disabilities facing additional barriers.   

Project goals

  • Improve mental and physical health, social mobility and life opportunities for children in London’s most disadvantaged and deprived areas.  
  • Enable participants to form positive relationships with young people from other national, ethnic or socio-economic backgrounds   
  • Help participants feel more integrated into their communities   
  • Improve participants’ ability to understand and control their emotions   

Project content

The project will provide opportunities for young people, including refugee and disabled children, to take part in football programmes in housing estates, schools and community centres in deprived areas of London, creating hyper-localised ‘football communities’. The charity’s financial assistance and the accessible nature of activities will ensure that no child is turned away. 

Partners

Sports for Resilience and Empowerment Project (SREP): Primary school construction

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Masindi district, Uganda
Start date 02/15/2025
End date Ongoing
Cost of the project €300,000
Foundation funding €170,000
Project identifier 2024000336
Partners Aliguma Foundation
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Conflict victims - Employability - Environmental protection - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Infrastructure and equipment - Personal development - Strengthening partnerships

Context

The situation in Masindi district reflects the challenges faced by rural areas in Uganda, where access to quality education is severely limited. Many children attend overcrowded and under-resourced schools with high dropout rates and poor academic performance. In addition, the socio-economic conditions are such that children are often forced to prioritise labour over education, leaving many without the skills and knowledge they need for a better future. 

This project addresses the shortage of adequate infrastructure, trained teachers and teaching materials, breaking the cycle of poverty by investing in the future of the region's children. 

Project goals

  1. Build a modern primary school: establishing a well-equipped and safe teaching facility and an environment that is conducive to learning for children in rural Masindi
  1. Enhance access to quality education: ensuring that children in the region have access to quality education, reducing the barriers associated with inadequate infrastructure and resources
  1. Promote social inclusion: creating opportunities for all children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and with special needs, to get an education and participate fully in their communities
  1. Improve educational outcomes: improving schoolchildren’s academic performance and overall development by providing better learning conditions, teacher training and educational materials
  1. Empower the community: engaging the local community in the development and maintenance of the school, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility 
  1. Support holistic development: integrating sport and extracurricular activities into the school curriculum to promote physical health, teamwork and life skills
  1. Reduce dropout rates: addressing contributing factors and creating a supportive and engaging school environment
  1. Strengthen teacher capacity: providing training and resources for teachers to improve the quality of instruction and support effective learning
  1. Promote gender equality: ensuring that girls have equal access to education and opportunities, contributing to gender equality and empowerment
  1. Foster sustainability: developing strategies to support the school’s long-term sustainability and lasting impact, including community involvement and partnerships

Project content

  • Planning and construction of a primary school in the Masindi district of Uganda
  • Teacher training and curriculum development
  • Provision of teaching materials and other resources
  • Community engagement and outreach

Partners

She Should Play

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Bangui, Central African Republic
Start date 02/01/2025
End date Ongoing
Cost of the project €14,733
Foundation funding €14,733
Project identifier 2024001462
Partners iACT
Categories Access to Sport - Conflict victims - Gender Equality - Infrastructure and equipment - Personal development - Strengthening partnerships

Context

Nearly one third of the Central African Republic’s population has been displaced by violence, and even those not displaced have been affected by the ongoing conflict. Women and girls continue to face gender inequity and disempowerment, including in sport. For example, they have very few opportunities to play football, because it is still considered a male sport. The impact of this exclusion reverberates through girls’ lives, affecting how they see themselves in the world. 

Project goals

  • Increase the number of girls playing organised football in Bangui 
  • Break down barriers that block girls’ access to football 
  • Change perceptions around girls in football 

Project content

  • Football camp run by the Refugees United Football Academy for girls aged 8 to 17  
  • Workshops with parents and teachers 
  • Hiring female coaches 
  • Providing equipment and hygiene products for participants 
  • Closing exhibition match and community celebration 

Partners

Ensuring continued access to education for Afghan girls

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Afghanistan
Start date 02/01/2025
End date 01/31/2026
Cost of the project €235,079
Foundation funding €23,350
Project identifier 2024000956
Partners Right to Learn Afghanistan
Categories Conflict victims - Employability - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Personal development

Context

The circumstances remain dire for women and girls in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. According to estimates by UNICEF, 3.7 million children are out of school and tens of thousands of female educators have lost their jobs. According to the UN Development Programme, 85% of Afghans live below the poverty line.

Project goals

Overall objective

  • Ensure continued access to education, employment and essential supplies to students and their families

Specific objectives

  • Increase access to secondary education for Afghan girls
  • Improve the literacy and well-being of students and their families
  • Give Afghan children and their families access to free, high-quality resources in their own language to further their education and careers, and instil a love of reading and healthy lifestyles

Project content

To increase access to secondary education for girls who are denied access to formal education, the project will invite, assess and enrol new cohorts of Afghan girls into the Darakht-e Danesh (‘knowledge tree’) classroom programme.

The project will hire and train qualified Afghan teachers, with a priority on employing women. Additionally, students will receive internet data packages to ensure reliable access to online learning.

To enhance literacy and well-being among students and their families, the project will procure and distribute so-called ‘learning plus baskets’, which contain educational materials and food to support students’ academic performance and overall well-being.

Over a nine-month academic cycle, students will receive instruction in 11 subjects, with mid-term and final exams to track progress and ensure the desired learning outcomes are achieved. Grades will be given to reinforce a sense of achievement and accountability.

Right to Learn’s cherished Darakht-e Danesh library will continue to grow its collection of inclusive resources that promote active, healthy lifestyles, career development, lifelong learning and a love of reading.

Finally, a robust monitoring and evaluation framework will be used to assess the effectiveness of the programme, track student progress and refine activities to maximise impact.

Partners

Fun Football in Nigeria

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Nigeria
Start date 01/01/2025
End date 12/31/2025
Cost of the project €200,000
Foundation funding €100,000
Project identifier 2024000573
Partners Cross Cultures Project Association
Categories Access to Sport - Conflict victims - Employability - Personal development

Context

Nigeria is simultaneously Africa’s most populous country and one of the youngest, with 63% of its 224 million people aged 24 or younger. Despite being the largest economy on the continent, Nigeria faces extreme economic inequality – 40% of the population live in absolute poverty and 53% experience multidimensional poverty.

Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria has also faced persistent interreligious and ethnic conflicts, particularly between its two major religious groups, Muslims and Christians. The conflicts have led to millions of deaths throughout the years and caused significant social, economic and infrastructural damage. Nigeria is currently plagued by violence, particularly in the northeast, where Boko Haram and other extremist terrorist groups have been active since the early 2000s.

According to UNICEF, six in ten children in Nigeria experience violence in their daily lives and around 20 million do not go to school. The situation is particular dire for girls, who are more likely than boys to miss out on education, especially in the northern regions, where only 44% of girls receive a primary education and 48% marry before the age of 15. Out-of-school children are particularly vulnerable to violence, crime, child labour and recruitment by militia, making them less likely to break the cycle of poverty and conflict.

Young adults are another vulnerable group in Nigeria – nearly 40% of 25 to 34-year-olds are unemployed, while unemployment among 15 to 24-year-olds reached a soaring 53.4% in 2021. The resultant uncertainty and discouragement have damaging effects on individuals, communities, economies and society at large. Unemployed and underemployed young adults are less able to contribute to national development, have fewer opportunities to exercise their rights and often have limited capacity to bring about change in their lives and communities.

Project goals

Overall objective

Promote peaceful coexistence, improve the well-being of vulnerable children and empower young adults in Nigeria

Specific goals

  • Offer safe and child-friendly spaces to engage 4,000 children aged 6 to 14 in monthly youth-led sports and cultural activities that foster cooperation and positive relationships across societal divides
  • Promote peace, trust and cohesion among divided communities in target areas
  • Empower 100 young leaders and coaches who are not in education, employment or training, and provide them with networks, training, tools and hands-on experience to enable them to become active community participants and role models
  • Set up volunteer associations to enhance the soft skills and abilities of these young leaders

Project content

Fun Football

The Fun Football project involves community-based and child-centred activities that foster communication and cooperation between adversarial groups, increasing trust and promoting positive relations. The project brings people together in safe and inclusive social environments through play and common interests – namely children’s well-being. Trained volunteer youth leaders and coaches organise Fun Football activities and festivals, which comply with the following fundamental principles:

  • Games must be fun and non-competitive; children play in mixed teams with, never against, each other.
  • The activities must bring children, coaches, football clubs and communities together across societal divides.
  • The activities must promote an inclusive environment and ethnic and social diversity. At least 30% of the children participating must be disabled, refugees, orphans or vulnerable children not normally involved in organised sport.
  • The activities must promote girls' football; 40–60% of participants should be girls and women.
  • The activities must be organised by trained volunteer coaches.

Youth Leadership Education

There are two levels to the Youth Leadership Education project: basic and advanced. The basic level took place in 2024 and consisted of a three-day interregional seminar, five days of practical sessions with children and individual feedback from experienced instructors. Participants were trained as volunteer coaches, enabling them to organise Fun Football events for children and engage different communities across social divides. This allowed the young leaders to enhance their communication, organisational and problem-solving skills, while expanding their social networks.

The second level will provide advanced training to volunteer leaders and coaches, with a focus on local sustainability. To ensure that this project continues to run in the medium to long-term, young coaches will be encouraged to integrate these activities into existing football clubs or set up their own grassroots clubs. They will learn how to start, manage and develop democratic volunteer associations in collaboration with regional football associations. Running Fun Football activities alongside local associations will not only enhance sustainability and promote local ownership, it will also provide the coaches with a platform to develop and implement their own sports-based community initiatives, strengthening their sense of agency and entrepreneurial skills and broadening their networks.

Partners

Kick for Hope

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Jordan
Start date 01/01/2025
End date 12/31/2025
Cost of the project €400,000
Foundation funding €175,000
Project identifier 2024000682
Partners Association Football Development Programme (AFDP) Global
Categories Access to Sport - Conflict victims - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Infrastructure and equipment - Personal development - Strengthening partnerships

Context

Relative to population size, Jordan hosts the second highest number of refugees in the world, including 706,100 registered Syrian refugees (approximately 7% of the population). Unregistered numbers are much higher, estimated at more than 1.5 million or 20% of the population. Over half (51%) are children, and over 80% are surviving below the poverty line.

The Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps have been hosting Syrian refugees since 2011 who have never returned to their homeland. Overcrowding and a shortage of resources in the camps limit the recreational activities and safe spaces available for children to play and socialise. The absence of structured activities can result in boredom, frustration and behavioural issues, which further hinder children and young adults’ emotional and psychological well-being and development.

Project goals

  • Build the capacity of Syrian coaches and create opportunities for employment
  • Provide children with access to safe spaces to enjoy football and other sports activities
  • Promote life skills through sport
  • Create professional development and competitive opportunities for young refugees
  • Create football clubs in the camps
  • Enter Syrian refugee teams in the local U13 boys’ and U14 girls’ grassroots football leagues and the Jordan Judo League

Project content

  • Selection of Syrian youth coaches and administrators
  • In-person training for coaches, coordinators and admin teams
  • Ongoing football and other sports activities for children and young adults
  • Football leagues for all age groups
  • Judo and table tennis activities, and Zumba classes for girls

Partners