To commemorate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the FIFA Foundation has announced that 114 not-for-profit organisations from 54 countries that will benefit from financial support under its Community Programme in 2023.
The programme allows not-for-profit organisations from across the world to apply for funding to support goal oriented football initiatives with a specific sustainable development component.
Of the 114 organizations retained, 38 are from Africa with South Africa and Uganda enjoying the Lions share with each nation having 7 recipients. Kenya has 5 institutions that will benefit from the gesture with Mozambique and Zambia having 3 recipients. Organizations from Zimbabwe, Ghana, Ethiopia, Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal, Cape Verde, Lesotho, Burundi, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo are set to benefit from the gesture of the world’s football ruling body.
The FIFA Foundation Community Programme seeks to support local projects that use the power of football to effect positive social change and address the most pressing global challenges facing underprivileged children and young people around the world.
The programme seeks to engage non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in a variety of initiatives that contribute to good health and well being, quality education, gender equality, no poverty, reduced inequalities, peace, justice and strong institutions, and the promotion of decent work and economic growth.
Upon the announcement of the new list of organisations, Mauricio Macri, Executive Chairman of the FIFA Foundation, said: “Football has a unique power to reach billions of people around the world, and its significant role as a driver of social change is demonstrated every day. This is at the core of the FIFA Foundation and what the Community Programme is all about.”
”Between 2020 and 2022, the projects funded by the programme benefited more than 250,000 people across the globe – and we hope to reach even more people in 2023. I look forward to seeing these initiatives make a positive impact in their communities.” Macri highlighted.
The organisations and projects selected promote gender-balanced participation and support children and youth in vulnerable groups, including indigenous, national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons, among others.