Ukraine Response

As of March 2023, more than 13 million people remain displaced by the escalation of the war in Ukraine – with 8 million people currently recorded across Europe and another 5 million internally displaced. Almost half of them are children in need of protection. In collaboration with UNHCR and further local partners, the FCSA educated 36 Young Coaches from within as well as outside Ukraine who are working with children affected by the war.

Colombia II

Colombia is marked of over 50 years of internal conflict, including countless of internally displaced people. Additionally, nearly two million of Venezuelan refugees have been arriving in Colombia to seek refuge. In collaboration with our local partners, UNHCR and FCC, the FCSA educated 41 Young Coaches to use football as a tool to help integrate refugee children into their new communities.

Mexico

Difficult and dangerous conditions in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Guatemala are forcing hundreds of thousands to flee north towards Mexico. Due to the influx of these refugees into Mexico, tensions in local communities have risen. In collaboration with our local partners, UNHCR and RET, the FCSA educated over 40 Young Coaches to use football as a tool to help integrate refugee children into their new communities.

Tanzania

According to the human development index, Tanzania is one of the world’s poorest countries where one third of the population lives below the global poverty line. In collaboration with local partners, the FCSA educated over 40 young Tanzanian women and men to become community leaders and grassroots football coaches who can provide engaging educational activities for children.

Central Europe

Every year since 2007, the Football Club Social Alliance has been engaged in promoting disability football across Europe. Two elements form the basis of the programme – the Tandem Young Coach Education in disability football for youths with and without a disability and the Special Youth Camp as an annual summer camp for children with special needs.

Vietnam

Since the reunification of North and South in 1975 following the war, Vietnam has experienced fast economic growth and improved standard of living for most. However, especially the population in rural areas still struggle with poverty, disease and isolation. In collaboration with Football for All in Vietnam and other local partners, the FCSA inspires young community leaders to use the tool of football and thereby educate children on social and health-related issues.

Rwanda

Still recovering from its genocide in 1994, today, Rwanda hosts some 144’000 refugees, 80% of whom are women and children. In collaboration with UNHCR, the FCSA educated 85 refugees to become grassroots football coaches and community leaders, helping increase the children’s safety and security by providing them with meaningful leisure activities.  In 2023, the FCSA and Scort returned to Rwanda to deliver a follow-up education with Young Coaches who are still active and selected Peer Young Coaches.

Lebanon

Under the umbrella of the newly formed global partnerships with UNHCR and the AFC Dream Asia Foundation, the FCSA educated young adults from both the host and refugee population in Lebanon. The focus of the Young Coach Education Programme was on social cohesion through football and the conveyance of life skills that help children form peaceful relationships with their peers and community members.

Ukraine

Teaming up with FC Shakhtar Donetsk, the FCSA contributed towards social cohesion in Ukraine. Targeting internally displaced persons and their now host communities, the 39 certified Young Coaches will use grassroots football as a tool for trauma relief and reconciliation.

Jordan

For the first time, the FCSA trained “Young Coaches” in Jordan. During the pilot project (September – December 2016), instructors of the FCSA trained 36 women and men in the refugee camp Azraq. The Young Coaches learned how to use play for trauma relief and psycho-social support.

Colombia

Our Young Coach Education Programme in Colombia (July 2015 – April 2016) trained 30 Young Coaches in three modules of one week each. The project’s main social focus was on conflict resolution, peace building and drug prevention. In 2022, the FCSA and Scort returned to Colombia to deliver a follow-up education in Cartagena, a coastal town in the North of Colombia.

Northern Ireland

The Coaching Education and Football Exchange Programme in Northern Ireland (March – December 2015) focused on exchanging professional knowledge and supporting the football development of the Irish Football Association (IFA). Five modules of two to three days each were held in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry.

Indonesia

Our Young Coach Education Programme on Java and Sulawesi (August 2014 – May 2015) trained 34 Young Coaches in three modules of one week each. The project’s main social focus was on water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH), health & nutrition and women’s rights. In 2019, the FCSA and Scort returned to Indonesia to deliver a follow-up education in Lembang, West Java.

India

Our Young Coach Education Programme in Mumbai, India (October 2013 – October 2014) trained 29 Young Coaches in three modules of one week each. The project’s main social focus was on locally relevant issues, such as women‘s rights, WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), school dropouts, and early marriage. In 2018, a follow-up programme and refresher course was run in Mumbai.

Uganda

Our Young Coach Education Programme in Entebbe and Gulu in Uganda trained 30 Young Coaches in four modules of one week each. The project’s main focus was on malaria prevention, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and children’s rights. In 2017, a follow-up programme and refresher course was run in Mukono.

Palestine

Our Young Coach Education Programme in Bethlehem in the West Bank region (January – October 2011) trained 16 Young Coaches in four modules of three days each. The project’s main focus was to implement a football education programme in the Palestinian Territories.

Sri Lanka

Our two Young Coach Education Programmes in Sri Lanka (2010/11 and 2013) trained a total of 56 Young Coaches in seven modules. In 2010/11, the project’s main objective was to implement a football education programme in the former civil war region Mannar, while in 2013 we focused on promoting integration on the east coast of Sri Lanka (in Batticaloa and Kalmunai).

Sudan

Our Young Coach Education Programme in Karthoum, Sudan (March 2009 – January 2010) trained 25 Young Coaches in five modules of four days each. The project’s main focus was to educate Young Sudanese with different ethnic and social backgrounds as Young Coaches – social role models and community leaders.

Kosovo

Our Young Coach Education Programme in Prishtina and Kamenica (March – September 2009) trained 41 Young Coaches in four modules of four days each. The project’s main focus was to set up and support girls‘ and women’s football and to promote integration of Albanians and Serbians in Kosovo.