Archive for category: Sports

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Shred the Patriarchy: The Janwaar Skate Troupe That Fights Back

Shred the PatriarchyChantal Pinzi, an Italian-born, Berlin-based photographer, has recently won the Sony World Photography Awards with her project “Shred The Patriarchy.” The project centralizes the burgeoning female-centred skateboarding community in the village of Janwaar, Madhya Pradesh, India.

The Cultural Landscape that Shred The Patriarchy Exists In

As in Western nations, skateboarding is a sport primarily dominated by men and boys; as it stands, the Indian gender ratio of men to women in skateboarding is 95% to 5%. This gender disparity is only heightened by the cultural stereotypes placed upon Indian women; they are expected to be homemakers, often forced into arranged marriages. From there, they will be the primary caregiver of a husband and children, having little time for their hobbies or interests. This is the tradition; this is the life that many Indian women have come to expect. However, many do not have it.

From the anger of a sexist patriarchal society stemmed resistance. In 2023, The Guardian spoke to female Mumbai and Pune skaters about their experience engaging with the sport in the current cultural landscape. Above all, an impenetrable bond exists between the women in these communities; due to a lack of female skateboarding instructors, these troupes teach one another and collectively improve their skills. This supportive environment has greatly fostered the female skateboarding scene’s growth in India.

What Does Shred The Patriarchy Do?

Highlighting the resistance and resilience of Janwaar women was Pinzi’s paramount goal with Shred The Patriarchy. In April 2025, Pinzi told World Skate that she has “always tried to understand and challenge the structures of power, oppression, sexism and misogyny. Choosing to focus on women skaters is part of that commitment. [She sees] it as both a form of resistance and a responsibility.”

Pinzi’s collection of photographs for the project is utterly iconoclastic. With each photo, the stereotypical ideal of what an Indian woman is or should be, is fragmented until it is entirely shattered. Pinzi highlights young women, primarily in traditional kurtis or sari dresses, engaging in anything but traditional activities. Some shots capture the subject mid-way through a skate trick, while others capture women alone or in a company, holding their boards as if the object were a lifeline.

While most subjects can be seen in traditional Indian dress, more commonly worn khussa shoes are exchanged for worn trainers, like Vans or Converse, which are much more appropriate for the sporting activity. Sometimes, these women do not comply with the customs: in one shot, a young subject poses clad in a Jim Morrison t-shirt, black trousers and trainers. These women are, one custom at a time, fighting back.

Conclusion

Due to resistant factions, like the Janwaar women learning to skate, sociocultural change is being pushed in India. In Western nations, the idea that a woman might be unable to do something as simple as skateboarding with her friends seems absurd. For millions of Indian women, however, this is reality; they are denied the basic right to live in communities that nurture their interests. However, with the rise to prominence of these troupes via projects like Shred The Patriarchy, widespread acceptance of broken gender norms is one step closer.

– Sarina Maloy

Sarina is based in Bath, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Pedaling to Prosperity: African Cyclists

Africa's cyclistsIn 2024, Biniam Girmay, the Eritrean cyclist, won several stages of the Tour de France; this was the first occurrence of a black rider winning a segment of the race. Further, this was the first time an African obtained the prestige of wearing a green jersey during any tour. In addition, Rwanda is to host the 2025 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Road World Championships, another remarkable development in Africa’s series of firsts.

Racing is making substantial strides for inclusivity, diversity and multilateral cooperation. The inclusion of the African market benefits both the sport and the continent, which is now a great opportunity for material advancement and international investment.

The First Few Stages

The globalization of cycling is accompanying the inevitable march of progress. As companies, ideologies and values leak across the globe, the sport of cycling is pedaling into the limelight; meter by meter, creeping into the center of cultural exchange. The notoriety began in 2022, when Girmay won a stage at the prestigious Giro d’Italia and thrust Black Africans into the center of cycling. Over the past several years, Girmay has remained a successful sprinter, securing various victories across various races and stages.

His acumen was reaffirmed in 2024, with his green jersey, during the Tour de France. Girmay initiated an organized effort from the UCI to breach the African market and has remained an inspiration for many African cyclists. About the state of the presence of African cyclists, Girmay said, “It’s really good for the impact, a good vision for young talent, because if you work on that, especially in the European teams, if they invest a lot in African cycling for sure we can have a more global sport. And that’s always nice to see.”

Pushing Forward

Since then, the UCI has initiated establishing a training center for aspiring Black African cyclists. More than 10 to Brittany, France, to train for future competitions; the athletes originate from many countries, each representing their distinct cultures on the European roads. The aspiration of the program, endorsed by both the UCI and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is to have local athletes excel in the regional Kigali championship. As such, they have been targeting young riders, hoping that, in two years, sundry successful characters will graduate from this program. The project began in 2023, hoping to prepare a generation of people capable of shining during the Rwandan competition.

The aforementioned World Championship in Kigali, Rwanda, is the axis for this whole affair. Announced in 2024, during the Zurich Championship, the monumental decision possesses the potency to establish a robust cycling community in Africa. With, on average, 124 countries broadcasting the race and more than 330 million viewers, this event is phenomenal exposure for the region.

The Last Few Stages

The tournament itself provides the potency for a thriving tourist industry. Any single international event unleashes a myriad of positive, economy-stimulating effects. This venture hopes to both inspire local athletes and expose the world to Rwanda. With each cyclist, a team, along with several fans and mechanics, will follow in tandem. These individuals will be exposed to the sprawling hills, vibrant grass and vivid culture.

This affair is an opportunity for Rwanda’s tourism industry to thrive, not only for the tenure of the competition but also for the residual effects of exposure. With this, faculties and institutions of commerce will be erected, providing adequate edifices for the constituents to operate, interact with and purchase from. For comparison, there was a 4.8% increase in foreign tourists during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

As for the athletes themselves, with the introduction of an additional sports industry, more aspirants will have the opportunity to be sponsored. While it is difficult to establish oneself in a sport requiring substantial infrastructure, heroes grant locals international exposure, thereby revitalizing the sport and the residents. Further, there is debate regarding “muscle drain,” or the impact of physically capable laborers leaving their respective nations for better opportunities.

Despite all of this, professional athletes are given the ability to return to their respective communities with connections and wealth. Potentially inspiring a new generation of athletes, all of whom can escape poverty by being thrust into the limelight. An amalgam of the aforementioned themes is present in Kenya, wherein the town of Eldoret benefited from the reinvestment of the country’s professional athletes.

The Finish Line

The finish line has yet to be crossed and many countries still suffer from poverty. However, as the bike pedals forward, the checkered line becomes more perceptible. The competition, the athletes-in-training and the current stars all provide distinct chances for prosperity.

Progress induced by globalism establishes the possibility of flourishing tourism and hospitality industries and reinvestment from athletes. As the line draws near, the glistening prospect of wealth becomes palpable. The internationalism of cycling is beneficial for the sport, as an abstraction and for the people.

– Jackson Hufman

Jackson is based in Glenwood, MD, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Global Programs Are Using Sports To Fight Poverty

Using Sports To Fight PovertySports have been used as a catalyst for change in deprived areas most affected by poverty worldwide. From skateboards rolling through Kabul to boxing gloves pounding bags in Rio’s favelas, community-based sports programs prove that sports are more than entertainment.

Afghanistan: Skateistan Turns Skate Parks Into Schools

In a country where 1.4 million girls remain banned from school, Skateistan offers an alternative route back into learning. Its Back-to-School and Skate & Create classes reached 7,405 children in 2023, 58% of whom are girls.

Private, girls-only sessions sidestep cultural barriers and the organization’s female coaches provide rare role models. Beyond boards and ramps, students receive tutoring, hot meals and vocational workshops. One hundred twenty young women graduated from a tailoring course that supplies equipment to earn an income at home.

By blending sports, arts and accelerated schooling, Skateistan protects at-risk youth from labor and early marriage while nurturing the literacy and confidence needed to re-enter the formal system.

Brazil: Fight for Peace Takes a Smart Swing at Youth Unemployment

Brazil’s “youth bulge” is a double-edged sword: in 2021, 26.8% of 18-to 24-year-olds were unemployed. In Rio’s Complexo da Maré favela, Fight for Peace transforms boxing’s tough-gym stereotype into a five-pillar program focused on sports, education, employability, mentoring and youth leadership.

The charity’s latest impact report shows 1,326 young people enrolled in employability or education projects in 2023, while 1,144 accessed services at its London academy alone, evidence of a model now being replicated worldwide.

Vocational courses, from web design to reception skills, link directly to job placements, while micro-grants totaling more than $50,000 funded youth-led safety and enterprise projects in east London and Kingston, Jamaica. By pairing ringside discipline with formal training, Fight for Peace addresses the dual challenges of violence and joblessness that keep many Brazilian adolescents trapped in poverty.

Ethiopia: Girls Gotta Run Races Against Child Marriage

Early marriage still affects 40% of Ethiopian girls before age 18, undermining their education and future earnings. Girls Gotta Run counters this trajectory with distance-running scholarships, including school fees, daily coaching, life-skills clubs and mothers’ savings groups.

The logic is simple: keeping girls in class reduces the likelihood of marriage by 6% for every additional year of secondary education. Meanwhile, entrepreneurship workshops and seed capital help mothers grow family income, cutting the economic incentive to marry daughters early.

By integrating sports, finance and reproductive health education, the nonprofit builds a supportive ecosystem where adolescent girls can literally and figuratively outrun the pressures that curtail their futures.

Nigeria: Chess in Slums Africa Makes a Smart Move Against Exclusion

Nigeria’s youth face formidable odds: 7.2% unemployment rate among 15- to 24-year-olds and 62% of the population under 25. In Lagos’s Makoko settlement, Chess in Slums Africa trades footballs for boards and pieces to deliver cognitive training, scholarships and even healthcare. Since 2018, the project has secured lifelong scholarships for more than 200 children from informal settlements.

In 2023, it partnered with Health Insured Nigeria to provide free screenings and insurance enrollment for 400 families, underscoring how a sports setting can broker services beyond recreation.

Conclusion

Sports alone won’t solve poverty, but these stories show what’s possible when used with purpose. From skateparks to running tracks, well-designed programs are turning play into progress, connecting young people to schools, jobs and health care. The scale of the challenge is huge, but every scholarship won, job landed or early marriage prevented is a small victory against inequality, one push, punch, stride or move at a time.

– James Harwood

James is based in England, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Exercising in Gaza: The Man Inspiring People To Keep Fit

Exercising in GazaDespite the unique challenges that arise from living in the war-torn country, one Palestinian man is exercising in Gaza and documenting it for the rest of the world to see.

The Fitness Trend

Young people are increasingly prioritizing health and wellness. This year’s London Marathon broke records with 56,640 finishers. Gen Z is also drinking less and signing up for more gym memberships. Social media proves this trend, with a rise in fitness influencers sharing their workout routines, meal plans and physical transformations with millions of followers worldwide.

One of these influencers is Mohammed Hatem. He fits the mold in many ways: he’s 20, has more than 300,000 followers on Instagram and posts fitness videos online. But the difference is that he lives in Gaza.

The Journey

Hatem began documenting his fitness journey on Instagram as a displaced Palestinian in April 2024. An avid gym goer and bodybuilder before the war, he notes on his page that, since the conflict started in 2023, he hasn’t been able to access a gym or nourish himself properly, leading to losing much of his strength. Eventually, he grew “fed up [of] waiting for the war to end” to prioritize his physical health again. So he started posting videos of himself exercising in Gaza, detailing his workouts and meals.

More than a year later, Hatem has fled his home several times due to the widening “danger zone.” Despite this, he continues exercising in Gaza. He not only encourages his fellow Palestinians to keep fit with the little they have but also inspires people worldwide to confront their preconceptions and rethink what it means to live in a warzone.

Most of his videos share the innovative ways he keeps fit, including doing weighted press-ups with bricks in his backpack, using his door frame to do pull-ups and carrying large containers of water upstairs. However, he also details what he eats, mostly from a tin. Fresh food is scarce in Gaza and earlier this year, the U.N. warned that one in five people living there is at risk of starvation.

Hatem also posts informative videos on other aspects of his life besides exercising in Gaza. These include how he gets access to the internet, updates on ceasefires and his method of planting fruit and vegetables to supplement the food other nations send in aid.

Looking Ahead

In a recent video entitled “Pursuing Dreams in Gaza,” Hatem explains that he is hoping to build his dream physique and eat enough to gain muscle when the war is over. He also dreams of starting an online coaching business to help others, just as he does now through his Instagram account. Despite all adversity, he continues exercising, educating and inspiring. He provides hope to all those affected by war, poverty and displacement.

– Elsa Tarring

Elsa is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How Togolese Athletes Rise Above Poverty To Reach the Olympics

Togolese AthletesTogo, a small nation in West Africa, is among the most impoverished countries in the world. Despite challenges, Togolese athletes proudly compete internationally, representing their homeland and raising global awareness about Togo’s struggles.

Poverty in Togo

With more than half of the national population living below the poverty line, Togo continues to struggle with implementing development initiatives and programs designed to improve the daily lives of the Togolese people. Similarities between Togo and other poverty-ridden nations are prevalent, including domestic unrest, a growing hunger crisis and a lack of access to education. Children often live without the key elements of a thriving society, namely access to education and child care, putting them and all of Togo at risk for cyclical poverty.

Despite widespread poverty, many Togolese athletes manage to reach international levels of competition, overcoming significant economic obstacles along the way. While international athletics provides a world stage to share the talent and ideals of individual nations, it also creates a platform for building a shared community. The opportunity to participate increases hope and resilience among athletes.

However, in impoverished countries like Togo, athletes face inadequate training facilities and equipment, limited access to coaching and trainers, a lack of nutrition and low sponsorship amounts for international competitions, according to The Brookings Institution.

A Rower From Agbodrafo

Akoko Komlanvi, a Togolese single sculls rower, competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, rising above a poverty-stricken upbringing to gain international recognition. As one of five Togolese athletes at the Games, her performance improved with support from the Olympic Solidarity scholarship program.

The Olympic Solidarity program supports skilled athletes from marginalized and impoverished nations. These athletes often lack access to professional training resources and cannot afford travel costs. Support from the program helps them attend the international competitions required to qualify for events like the World Championships and the Olympic Games, according to the International Olympic Committee.

Without the Olympic Solidarity program, athletes like Komlanvi, gifted but lacking equal access to training and opportunities, would be unable to compete or represent their countries on the global stage. The program gave Komlanvi the chance to train in Tunisia, where she had access to quality rowing equipment that is rare, if not nonexistent, in Togo. Despite finishing last, participating in the Olympics was a win for Komlanvi and her country.

Pros Outweigh the Cons of the Olympics

As each Olympic Games nears, debates commence about the negative impacts of the event, primarily on the host country. The host country typically incurs an economic burden due to decreased revenue and increased costs of improving stadiums or building new arenas and housing for athletes.

However, after each Olympic Games, the necessity of providing this opportunity for athletes worldwide to gather under different flags in a fair and peaceful environment is re-established. Nations that compete, like Togo, reaffirm the importance of the goal of being counted among the participating countries.

Bringing the Togolese People Together via Sport

Sports can improve the health and well-being of athletes and those they represent, especially those living in poverty, increasing social inclusion and shedding light on global issues. While international support programs are vital for professional athletes, domestic and amateur athletes also need resources to improve their health and lessen the impact of poverty. Many of these individuals, whose struggles are echoed by their country’s athletes on the world stage, still lack access to necessities like food, health care and education.

One such program, run by the Leading Youth, Sport and Development group, supports youth development by using basketball to foster peace and address pressing social issues in Togo. This agency helps implement and support programs that align with the 2030 Agenda. It’s committed to minimizing poverty and inequality worldwide through programs designed to influence younger generations to make lasting changes positively.

Final Remarks

Beyond health benefits, sports can reduce discrimination, boost social participation and create job opportunities and revenue streams. This makes athletic programs a valuable investment in the well-being of the Togolese people.

– Avery Kachmarsky

Avery is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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AFCON: Fighting Poverty in Africa

AFCON: Fighting Poverty in AfricaThe Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a biennial, international soccer tournament featuring national teams from across the continent, hosted by a different country every two years. While there are 54 eligible teams across Africa, only the 24 best teams qualify for the opportunity to play, making this elite tournament the pinnacle of African soccer. While this tournament looks influential in terms of sporting glory and national pride, it also provides a massive economic boost for the host nation. The following covers ways through which the AFCON tournament stimulates economies and fights poverty across Africa.

Fighting Poverty in Africa: Short-Term Benefits

“In the short term, the tournament has a positive effect,” explains Roméo Boye, a researcher at the Ivorian Center for Economic and Social Research. Throughout the four-week-long tournament, the host nation experiences a significant boost in hospitality revenue, primarily at hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops, as a result of the increased traffic from tournament attendees. According to Roméo Boye, the tournament has an extremely positive impact on the host nation’s GDP despite only being four weeks long.

These businesses also expand during the tournament, creating short-term professional opportunities that not only provide job seekers with a temporary financial boost but also allow them to gain valuable workplace experience and enhance their resumes. Although these jobs only last the duration of the tournament, they still possess the ability to aid those who are jobless and in poverty. As the market expands, the tournament provides them with opportunities to gain work experience and financial capital.

Infrastructure and Long-Term Growth

Although the short-term economic benefits outnumber the long-term benefits, the tournament provides the host nation with the opportunity to develop its cities while making long-lasting improvements to the infrastructure of the country. For example, transportation was an issue in the Ivory Coast for many years before the country hosted AFCON. Traveling from city to city could be difficult and tedious. However, after the improvements to roads, bridges and airports born during AFCON, movement throughout the country is far more accessible and efficient, according to Julien Adhepeau, professor at the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, in Abidjan. 

In the fight against poverty in developing countries, these infrastructural improvements appear to be vital. In the case of the Ivory Coast, transportation upgrades have made employment more accessible, as prospective candidates can move more easily throughout the country, expanding their job opportunities. The Ivory Coast created 24 ‘AFCON cities’ which served as residences for international delegations during the tournament. These cities were a point of growth for new communities and businesses, providing even more job opportunities to Ivorians. 

Sporting Infrastructure and Financial Rewards

On the sporting side, in addition to economic stimulation provided by ticket sales and broadcasting revenue, AFCON also allows for the development of state-of-the-art sporting facilities, which create even more job opportunities as workers are needed at these sites. Finally, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) provides a large payout to all teams competing in the tournament. In 2019, all participating nations received at least $600,000, while the winners took home about $4.5 million. In 2017, even the four semifinalists received a substantial payout of $1.5 million each. 

Looking Ahead

At first glance, the Africa Cup of Nations is an intense sporting competition with international recognition at stake. However, it also presents opportunities, fighting Poverty in Africa and improving living conditions in developing countries. Through financial and infrastructural developments, AFCON has contributed to increased employment opportunities and improved access to services in some host communities.

– Jack Schuchard

Jack is based in Herndon, VA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Boxing Helps Fight Poverty

Boxing Helps Fight PovertyBoxing has always helped those in poverty, especially children. Like other sports, it offers kids in poverty a safe place from a harmful environment. It teaches life skills that help them navigate out of poverty. Additionally, those who are talented enough have started careers in boxing after taking it up while in poverty; notable examples include George Foreman, Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali. With the sport being so globally popular, impoverished people worldwide have shown how boxing helps fight poverty.

Ghana

Ghana has made significant progress in reducing poverty in recent decades. It boasts one of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world and the second-largest economy in Africa as of 2018. Despite that, it still ranks 140th out of 189 countries on the Human Development Index and nearly a quarter of the population lives below the poverty line.

However, in the town of Bokum, boxing is a way for children to endure and overcome community violence. Furthermore, boxing helps fight poverty within the community. In makeshift gyms that spill onto the streets, with ropes forming improvised rings, locals turn to boxing for community and support from coaches. Boxing in Bokum is also highly competitive, as evidenced by the eight world champions that come from there. This helps young boxers hone their skills to make money to support themselves.

Boxing-related support in Ghana comes from nonprofits. For example, the Azzumah Nelson Foundation, founded by former Ghanaian world champion Azzumah Nelson, has built sports and education facilities where children can learn sports like volleyball, table tennis and boxing. The organization has also provided rural parts of the country with vocational training and health services.

Mexico

Mexico is a country plagued by significant poverty. Nearly 47 million people live in poverty and around 80% of all national wealth is held by the wealthiest 10% of the population. Poverty has forced many children into violent gang activities, causing those aged less than 25 to make up a third of all murders in Mexico as of 2013.

In response, the Mexican government is turning to boxing to keep its kids off the streets. In Mexico City, 42,000 people gathered for a large-scale boxing lesson led by boxing greats like Oscar de la Hoya and Julia Cesar Chavez. There, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced the Federal government’s “Stay Away from Drugs. Fentanyl Kills You” campaign and affirmed, “The people of Mexico say yes to education, sport, peace and love.”

The World Boxing Council (WBC) has also used its Cares Program to support and empower young people through its global influence. Whether it be building confidence through its KO Bullying Campaign or virtual seminars at juvenile detention centers during the pandemic, WBC Cares has worked to give children the skills and confidence necessary to avoid drugs and crime. Notably, the Boys and Girls Club CDMX and the State of Mexico offer a safe place for children to participate in developmental activities in the summer. According to the Executive Director, Alejandro Palomino, they served more than 240 young people in the summer of 2024.

Citizens themselves have been supporting their community through boxing. Under a bridge in Ecatepec de Morelos, the Ramirez family built a gym to give children an escape from drugs and crime. By day, head coach Miguel Ramirez sells street tacos and by evening, he trains young boxers, some of whom have gone on to win medals.

Cuba

Since Fidel Castro came to power, boxing and other sports have been a source of national pride for Cubans amid the financial hardship caused by their economic isolation. Their strong national boxing program and uniquely rhythmic style have helped them dominate Olympic boxing for decades and made it widely popular.

The island nation is considered to have some of the worst poverty in Latin America. In 2023, DataWorld reported that Cuba was the most indigent nation in Latin America. In 2024, the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, an independent organization based in Madrid, reported from a study that almost 90% of the population lives in “extreme poverty.” Of those interviewed, 72% said the food crisis was the biggest problem.

Considering the hard living conditions for many Cuban children, boxing can offer both an outlet and a refuge. Employed by the Cuban government, coaches set up gyms, sometimes in empty lots, to scout for talented children who could move to more advanced national boxing academies. Boxers who are successful enough can even earn money for themselves and their family through professional prizefighting ever since the government lifted its ban in 2022.

Nonprofits also use boxing as a means to help people in Cuba. The Gloves of Hope, for example, collects donations to improve boxing facilities and equipment for women and children in Cuba. Similarly, the International Boxing Association donated 500 pairs of boxing gloves in 2024 to celebrate International Boxing Day.

Conclusion

Boxing in these countries is just one example of the positive effect sports can have for children, as it helps in the fight against poverty. Anytime children experiencing poverty engage in an activity that makes them healthier and stronger, mentally and physically, they give themselves a better chance at a brighter future. Furthermore, they’re also given a break from their harsh living conditions to have fun. Whether boxing or something else, sports should be shared with impoverished communities.

– Seth Pintar

Seth is based in La Jolla, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How Football Academies in Africa Are Changing Lives

Football academies in Africa fighting poverty Across Africa, where poverty, unemployment, and inequality often impact he potential of young people, football appears to be redrawing the lines. Such is the case in the heart of Kibera, Nairobi’s vast informal settlement, where a group of young women trains relentlessly at Kibera Soccer Women FC, the first team from an informal settlement to reach Kenya’s Premier League. Football academies in Africa are changing lives.

Football as a Health and Education Gateway

Kibera Soccer FC links training to community wellness: players serve as peer educators on sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and education advocacy, working alongside NGOs and schools. The club’s involvement helps destigmatise critical topics and guides peers to vital resources and services rarely available in informal settlements.

In Uganda, Kampala Kids League has engaged more than 16,000 children from 160 schools, minority communities and orphanages since 1998. Through football, basketball and even baseball, it provides structured play and life-skills lessons, delivered by more than 2,000 trained volunteers. Embedding sport in everyday life has helped keep kids in school and connected to community support.

Tackling Sexual Health and Gender Norms

In Malawi, the Health Goals Malawi project, run by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in partnership with the LFC Foundation, used football to engage adolescent boys and young men aged 14–24 in HIV self-testing initiatives. During its first year, the programme distributed more than 3,300 self-test kits, resulting in a jump in self-reported testing rates from 53% to 83%. This sharp increase not only improved testing coverage but also helped normalise discussion around HIV, reducing stigma associated with knowing one’s status.

Meanwhile, in South Africa, WhizzKids United, a school-based 12-week football curriculum focused on HIV prevention, demonstrated significant behavioural impact. Evaluation studies found that participants showed greater HIV-related knowledge and reduced stigma compared to peers receiving only classroom education. The program also addressed gender norms: schools reported noticeable increases in respect and understanding between male and female students following sessions.

These approaches are proving that football pitches, traditionally reserved for footwork, can be influential platforms for action. By integrating self-testing access, role-model-led education and open conversations, such football-based health programmes are delivering measurable strides in HIV awareness, testing and gender-equitable attitudes across the region.

Sport-Based Employment and Soft Skills

Beyond health, football programmes are nurturing employability and entrepreneurship in youth facing unemployment. The Laureus Sport for Good SESLA fund has invested more than €150,000 per site into sport-driven youth employability projects. In Mozambique, a capoeira and football hybrid programme trains young people in leadership, peer mentoring and conflict resolution. These are all skills that local employers value. 

Coaches Across Continents, active in 113 countries, including many African nations, reports that its training equips coaches to teach life skills alongside football. Its 2021 annual report highlights core programmes in “Choice for Women” and entrepreneurship, bridging sport with digital literacy and gender empowerment. 

In Cameroon, the youth-focused JumpStart Academy Africa has expanded its leadership curriculum to include sport-derived modules, training more than 20,000 students in entrepreneurial leadership through teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills directly applicable to self-employment and small business ventures.

Building Peace and Community Cohesion

In Sierra Leone and Liberia, two countries still recovering from civil war, local football tournaments have united young people across ethnic divides, promoting peace and dialogue. Schools introduce “Fun Football” curricula in Nigeria that bring together displaced children and local youth, promoting inclusion, life skills and psychosocial healing. These initiatives go far beyond skills on the ball; they create peer networks, shared goals and community trust.

Anchoring Sport in Community Ecosystems

Football isn’t isolated; it’s embedded in community ecosystems. Charts show that in Kibera, players mentor younger peers as part of CFK Africa’s programs, developing continuity and local leadership.

In Kampala, organisations like Kids Club Kampala have doubled youth participation in football and mentoring sessions—reaching more than 64 regularly attending participants—with trained coaches providing emotional support, discipline and real-world advice to steer young boys away from crime and substance abuse.

Meanwhile, Coaches Across Continents has trained more than 74,000 coaches across 133 countries—including Uganda—to use sport as a platform for community leadership, gender equity and educational outcomes.

Football Academies in Africa

Football is one of Africa’s most accessible sports; ongoing trends suggest that it is one of its most effective tools for development. Whether by promoting health, education, peace or employment, football academies in Africa are helping youth unlock potential and build brighter futures. As these grassroots initiatives continue to grow, they offer a model of how sport could drive real, measurable change in the fight against poverty.

– James Harwood

James is based in England, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Soccer Without Borders: How Soccer Is Fighting Poverty

Soccer Without BordersSoccer (football) is regarded as the world’s most popular sport, with massive viewing numbers globally. However, beyond the superstar players’ money and fame, soccer is a powerful tool to combat poverty and create opportunities for marginalized communities. Indeed, around the globe, grassroots soccer programs address critical social issues, from access to education and health care to social inclusion and employment. Here are five global soccer initiatives that have made measurable impacts in reducing poverty and improving lives:

Street Child United

Street Child United (SCU) utilizes soccer as a platform to raise awareness about the struggles of homeless and working children, giving them a voice and helping to secure their rights. SCU’s flagship event, the Street Child World Cup, gathers thousands of vulnerable youths from countries including Brazil, India and Kenya to compete in soccer tournaments alongside workshops on legal rights and advocacy.

Beyond the competition, SCU advocates for vital identity documentation like birth certificates, essential for accessing education and health care. In recent years, SCU has helped secure hundreds of identity documents, impacting children’s ability to attend school and receive medical care. Since its creation, SCU has reached more than 1.4 million in more than 30 countries.

Common Goal

Established by Spanish midfielder Juan Mata in 2017, Common Goal encourages soccer professionals to pledge 1% of their earnings to a collective fund supporting worldwide soccer-based social initiatives. More than 200 players and managers from 48 different nationalities and 60 leagues have joined the movement, contributing to causes such as gender equality, education and social inclusion.

One of the beneficiaries of Common Goal’s funding is Soccer Without Borders in Uganda. More than 1,600 refugee and local youth are served annually by Soccer Without Borders Uganda through soccer, education and community-building programs. In 2023, one of the Soccer Without Borders initiatives, the Kampala Girls League, reached more than 1,000 girls, promoting gender equity and inclusion through soccer.

Kick4Life

Kick4Life is a charity based in Lesotho, a country facing one of the world’s highest HIV rates in the world alongside widespread youth unemployment. The program uses soccer for health education, life skills training and academic support, helping young people improve their chances of escaping poverty. Operating a soccer academy, school and social enterprise hotel, Kick4Life has directly reached more than 200,000 young people with health education programs and HIV testing services.

Additionally, more than 25,000 children have undergone voluntary HIV testing, with more than 1,000 testing positive and receiving ongoing treatment and counseling through referral networks.

Football for Peace

Football for Peace works in fragile and conflict-affected communities worldwide. It uses soccer to bridge ethnic, religious and social divides. Furthermore, Football for Peace runs “peace matches,” educational workshops and leadership camps targeting marginalized youth.

In Colombia, in partnership with the Ankle Foundation and funded by the UEFA Foundation for Children, it implemented a project to promote reconciliation between ex-Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) combatants and local communities. The initiative involved 615 children of ex-combatants, providing them with soccer training and psychosocial support to facilitate social integration and prevent the resurgence of violence.

Aspire Academy

Aspire Academy, based in Qatar but with a significant scouting and outreach presence in West Africa, identifies promising soccer talent from countries. The Academy provides full scholarships, world-class training facilities, education and nutrition to talented boys from low-income backgrounds. Aspire’s Football Dreams program has scouted more than 3.5 million boys since its inception, with 18 to 20 elite scholarships being handed out annually after a rigorous selection process.

Beyond soccer, the Academy emphasizes academic education and life skills that can help propel young people into a working environment and reduce unemployment. Indeed, many who have successfully reached the Academy have secured professional contracts in Europe and Asia and actively contribute to development in their home communities.

These initiatives help bring change and fight poverty in marginalized and vulnerable regions. As one of the largest sports globally, the reach is limitless, leaving an opportunity for progression. These initiatives are just five examples.

– James Harwood

James is based in England, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Goals for Education: FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund

FIFA Global Citizen Education FundFIFA and Global Citizen launched the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a $100 million initiative that expands access to quality education and life skills programs in underserved communities. The fund seeks to engage 50 million people by 2029, using sport, advocacy and entertainment to promote long-term development. Each ticket for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States (U.S.) will include a $1 donation. The Weeknd’s global concert tour and contributions through Shift4’s global merchant network will generate additional revenue. FIFA will allocate a significant portion of the funding to Football for Schools (F4S), its school-based program developed with UNESCO. F4S uses soccer to build leadership, teamwork and emotional well-being in children across more than 100 countries.

A Message Delivered on the Global Stage

FIFA and Global Citizen unveiled the fund during the 2025 Global Citizen NOW Summit in New York City. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized football’s ability to unify communities and create new opportunities. Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans described the initiative as a bold move to confront the global education crisis. In addition, organizers plan to launch localized campaigns to promote community-level engagement. These campaigns will include mentorship programs, parent workshops and student leadership clubs designed to keep children enrolled and motivated. By focusing on holistic engagement, the initiative aims to reduce dropout rates and encourage lifelong learning.

Football Drives Access to Education

The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund represents a unique fusion of sports, entertainment and advocacy to promote educational access. Its creators believe football’s universal popularity can be a tool for social change and educational access. According to the United Nations (U.N.), young people who engage in at least five hours of physical activity per week perform better academically than those active for less than one hour. This initiative comes at a time when about 244 million children worldwide remain out of school.

This global initiative will target countries and regions most in need of education infrastructure and programming. By working with partners worldwide, the fund aims to build stronger education systems, especially in areas where youth have been disproportionately affected by poverty and lack of access to schooling. In addition to ticket sales and concert revenue, the fund plans to attract private sector partnerships and additional donations from philanthropists. These contributions will expand program reach, train teachers and equip classrooms with the resources necessary for students to thrive. 

Moving Forward

With ongoing support and global attention on major events like the Club World Cup, the fund aspires to create a sustainable impact for future generations. By harnessing the universal appeal of football and the influence of global music and activism, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund aims to raise funds and build lasting change in communities that need it most. If successful, it could serve as a model for how entertainment, sport and philanthropy can work together to close the education gap and give every child the tools to shape their future.

– Glenn Brown III

Glenn is based in Smyrna, GA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr