In 2005, streetfootballworld formed a strategic alliance with FIFA, the world football governing body, to increase the impact of football as a tool for social development. With the international spotlight on Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, the two organisations are working to achieve lasting, positive, social change through football by building twenty Football for Hope Centres focusing on public health, education and football across the continent.

The Football for Hope Centres are hosted by local community organisations with strong track records and proven experience in working with Development through Football. Each centre consists of an artificial turf football pitch and buildings to provide space for classrooms and health facilities. The centres provide long-term infrastructure for Centre Hosts to improve and expand their unique youth development programmes.

	Education Football is used as an incentive and tool to create engaging learning environments for young people. Through strong links with local schools and educational institutions, the centre will provide year-round learning opportunities. Focus areas in education include: peer education, leadership training, homework support, catch-up courses, library space and literacy, media training and IT training. Resources and equipment such as computers, provide further opportunities to learn and gain job skills.
	Public health Poor health poses a major challenge to socio-economic development. The centres address these challenges by offering a range of services including health awareness programmes for young people as well as a referral system to nearby health facilities. Focus areas in public health include: improving health literacy among young people, reproductive health education, HIV prevention and the prevention and treatment of drug and alcohol abuse.
	Football With its unique appeal and core values that reach across generations and cultures, football makes engaging in a wide range of social and human development activities possible. The football activities at the centres will attract a diverse group of both boys and girls while also playing a central role in bringing the community together.

Each centre is designed in close collaboration with the respective Centre Host to ensure that it meets the needs of the community and the programmatic aims of the organisation. By building relationships with local public health and educational service providers, Centre Hosts actively seek to link young people to existing opportunities and strengthen networks within the community.

Who finances the campaign?
FIFA has committed $9 million to build the Football for Hope Centres. An additional $4 million will be raised through collaboration with FIFA Partners, member associations, private donors and charitable organisations.

The funding will not just build the facility, but also support programme development and strengthen the management capacity of Centre Host over the next three to five years. At the end of the transition period, Centre Hosts will be capable of taking over full responsibility for running the centres.

READ MORE ABOUT HOW THE HOST ORGANISATIONS ARE STRENGTHENED THROUGH THE PROJECT

GO BACK TO THE OVERVIEW OF 20 CENTRES FOR 2010