Football for Development and Youth

Football for Development and Youth

August 12 is International Youth Day and this year’s theme is “Youth Engagement for Global Action” seeking to highlight ways in which the engagement of young people at local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and processes, as well as draw lessons on how their representation and engagement in formal institutions can be significantly enhanced (United Nations).

International Youth Day is commemorated to bring youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrate the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society. Football for development initiatives are being implemented across the globe to help address and highlight some of the matters affecting youth.

European Football for Development Network (EFDN) is one of the organisations leading the charge on the continent alongside its members and partners. By developing meaningful, mutually beneficial partnerships with government agencies, major corporations and federations. Through its foundation, it is a leader in the filed of corporate social responsibility within sport and development supporting organisations withing the fields of sport, economics, education, science and development.

The impact of sport for development

In the lead up to the world’s youth celebrating it is important to acknowledge the power and impact of sport for development projects have had on this significant population. As the generation that is actively involved in or on the verge of leadership and influence, they possess the potential to affect the world positively.

Sport for development and peace initiatives are implemented for various reasons based on geography, immediate needs and future prospects. Football, as the world’s biggest sport, continues to be a crucial vehicle to drive community and social responsibility programmes. Evidence from these projects has shown that some of the benefits include but are not limited to:

• Cohesion and unity – football’s universality makes it a popular choice for engaging youth who are easily drawn to the sport. Being part of team, with a singular purpose, helps foster cohesion and unity. Football for development initiatives help break down such barriers as gender, age, religion, race, tribe. Participants, over time, realise that none of these elements define a person hence cohesion and unity.
• Inclusion – through such values of football as fair play, it is easier to impress on youth the necessity of embracing one another even with their perceived strengths and weaknesses. The amateur level of competition also provides an avenue to ensure youth of all abilities are included especially those with various disabilities and limited sporting skills.
• Leadership skills – football for development programmes also help inculcate leadership skills by fostering them and enhancing those that already exist. Allowing all participants a say is crucial for teaching youth how to be in control, respond to authority and present dissenting views in a respectful manner.
• Health promotion – through football for development programmes, project organisers can underscore the benefits of balanced diets for healthier participants. Resources and activities can be implemented on the side-lines of games.
• Peace and mitigating conflict
• Increasing physical activity levels
• Education and communication skills
• Self-esteem and confidence boost
• Life skills
• Crime prevention
• Access to education
• School feeding programmes
• Employment and income generation

In the build up to International Youth Day, let us embrace the power and impact of youth and help them realise their aspirations and goals.