A unique blend of grassroots clubs, non-profit organisations, fan groups, NGOs and minority rights groups from more than 50 countries will receive grants to run football activities to drive social change, in Europe’s largest anti-discrimination campaign in sport during October’s #FootballPeople weeks.

The Fare Network #FootballPeople weeks were created to help organisations around Europe hold events that power social inclusion and tackle discrimination via activities that use football as a social tool.

This year’s #FootballPeople weeks promises to continue work towards social change, with a vast array of activities to take place between 10-24 October 2019.

A total of 248 grants have been awarded to #FootballPeople initiatives in 58 countries, with 25 event grants awarded and 223 small grants to be distributed to fund smaller scale initiatives, that will include football tournaments, workshops, panel discussions, exhibitions, film screenings and more during the two-week period.

25 Event Grants have been awarded to #FootballPeople initiatives that will take place in Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Hungary, Russia, Sweden, Vietnam, Peru, the Philippines, Serbia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Vietnam.

These grants will support a variety of national activities aimed at tackling discrimination, with events supporting gender equality, LGBT rights, disability inclusion and fighting racism.

The event grants will fund a range of national level initiatives including football festivals, nation-wide media campaigns, innovative exhibitions and conferences addressing topics including refugee inclusion and participation in sport, women’s football and gender equality, nationalism and discrimination.

A total of almost €100,000 Euros worth of grants will be awarded to support this year’s #FootballPeople weeks, with more than 150,000 people expected to take part.

Fare network Executive Director Piara Powar said: “The #FootballPeople weeks are an important period for European football uniting thousands of people who love this sport and want to show their support for diversity and inclusion for all.”

“We encourage everybody who believes in the fight against discrimination to join the campaign and get involved with their own activities. You can still register to be a part of it until October. Join the movement.” added Powar.

The #FootballPeople weeks will run between 10-24th October. For more information and to register your activity, please visit the Fare Network website here.

You can find out more about the Fare Network and their works here.

Published 16/09/2019