- Info
The idea has spread around the world. In its continent of origin, South America, it has been adopted by many streetfootballworld network members, mostly under the name of Fútbol Callejero (Street Football). You can also find the game under a range of names in regions as disparate as Rwanda, the United Kingdom and the United States. football3 is also used also in all streetfootballworld events.
Click on the icons on the map to find out more about where football3 is being played.
The football3 family
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Altus-Sport-Vuma Location: 15 townships and rural areas in South Africa Context: Kids in South African townships experience violence, crime and drug abuse on a daily basis. Many young people are affected by the high unemployment rates. Altus-Sport-Vuma uses football to give moral strengths to the kids in their communities. football3 since: 2007 How they play: Boys and girls play together on a team. Matches can be won not only by scoring goals, but also by playing fair: Based on their Life Skills Score Card, additional points are awarded to each team if they respected the values of fair play, friendship, cooperation and peaceful conflict resolution.
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Asociación Civil Pro Niño Intimo What it’s called: Fútbol de la Calle Location: 8 locations all over Peru N° of regular participants: 150 Context: At its Deporte y Vida Schools, ACPNI uses football to stimulate personal development, create leaders and encourage solidarity. The use of participatory methods for learning ensures that those involved are integrated into the school system in a positive way. football3 since: 2005 How they play: Boys and girls play together on a team. Often, the teams agree that goals scored by girls count double. Points for complying with the previously agreed rules can be decisive for the final result of the match. In meetings before games the players discuss important issues in their lives, such as work, sexuality, and arts and culture. As part of an overall learning experience, the young participants are actively involved in the organisation of the programmes and in decision-making processes.
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Asociación Grupo Cre-Arte What it’s called: Fútbol Callejero Location: Bariloche, Argentina N° of regular participants: Around 550 people within the organisation and in two primary schools Context: Cre-Arte mainly works in civic education and the integration of people with disabilities. Football activities are used to instil values such as cooperation, solidarity and respect for others in a society that often excludes people with disabilities. football3 since: 2005 How they play: After the match the players discuss how many “value points” each team deserves. On top of points for scoring the most goals and a point for participating in the match, they negotiate whether both receive points for respecting the rules, cooperation and solidarity.
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Associação Cristã de Moços do Rio Grande do Sul What it’s called: Futebol de Rua Location: Porto Alegre, Brazil N° of regular participants: 280 Context: The five centres ACM RS run are based in disadvantaged communities throughout Porto Alegre. In these areas, children grow up in the face of problems such as drug abuse, alcoholism and domestic violence. Through their activities, ACM RS supports young people in their development towards being responsible leaders both in the projects and in society. football3 since: 2008 How they play: Before the match all players agree on certain technical rules, e.g. if the goalie can move around freely on the pitch. They also commit to show solidarity, respect and cooperation on the pitch. After the match points are given out not only for goals scored but also for sticking to the previously discussed rules.
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Association des Jeunes Sportifs de Kigali - Espérance What it’s called: Football AMAHORO/Football pour la paix Location: Kigali, Rwanda N° of regular participants: 700 (includes spectators) Context: The ethnic groups of Rwanda today still struggle with the legacy of the genocide in 1994. Espérance uses football to reconcile differences within the population and to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and other dire issues that face the communities. football3 since: 1996 How they play: Discussions are directed toward a pressing theme, such as AIDS, poverty, gender issues and conflict management. Common rules that teams set for themselves include non-violence, fair play and good manners. At the end of the game, teams award each other points in accordance with their respect of the rules; sometimes spectators are also involved in scoring fair play.
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Bauleni United Sports Academy What it’s called: Football for Change/Fair Play Football Location: Lusaka, Zambia N° of regular participants: 200 Context: BUSA uses football to promote community cohesion. Its most important message through football is that all players and spectators should take care of their fellow community members and learn to treat each other with respect. football3 since: 2004 How they play: Before the match, the players discuss the importance of teamwork and respect for fellow players; they also agree on rules, e.g. goals scored by girls count double or the ball should always be passed on if possible. Extra points for sticking to the rules are awarded after each match.
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Centro para el Desarrollo de la Inteligencia What it’s called: Partidí (Metodología de los 3 tiempos) Location: 10 cities in Paraguay N° of regular participants: 2300 Context: Within their project ‘Partidí’, the CDI uses football in order to create learning communities among children and young people of diverse contexts. Under the motto “Everybody plays, everybody wins”, the project’s philosophy is to value the participating people and their ability to promote social change. football3 since: 2004 How they play: The players dedicate each match to certain values like fair play, respect, solidarity or cooperation. Technical rules agreed upon include the joint celebration of each goal, two points for especially creative goals or playing the half of the time in complete silence. After the match, the compliance with the rules is discussed and points are awarded in addition to the points for scoring goals. Often, general discussions about human values and other important topics take place during match evaluation.
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Club 25 de Mayo What it’s called: Fútbol Callejero Location: General Rodriguez (Northen Buenos Aires), Argentina N° of regular participants: 100 Context: The organisation aims at strengthening neighbourhoods and marginalised sectors through non-formal educational activities. Through football, they create spaces where young participants can practise leadership and conflict resolution skills. football3 since: 2005 How they play: Girls and boys play together on a team. Along with other organisations in the greater Buenos Aires region, Club 25 de Mayo developed a new point system: 3 points are awarded for scoring the most goals, 1 point each for a draw. Additionally, 3 points can be achieved for fair play in general and 3 points for respecting the specific rules agreed upon before the match. This new system puts the social points into the spotlight.
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Club Deportivo y Cultural Bongiovanni What it’s called: Fútbol Callejero Location: Moreno (Greater Buenos Aires), Argentina N° of regular participants: 82 Context: In an environment where large parts of the population have no access to the formal labour market, the education system, or health services, the Club Bongiovanni seeks to create spaces and meeting places for members of the community to recover their neighbourhood’s identity and to promote community development. football3 since: 2004 How they play: Girls and boys play together on a team. Along with other organisations in the greater Buenos Aires region the organisation developed a new point system: 3 points are awarded for scoring the most goals, 1 point each for a draw. Additionally, 3 points can be achieved for fair play in general and 3 points for respecting the specific rules agreed upon before the match. This new system puts the spotlight on social points.
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Dads Against Drugs What it’s called: Fair Play Location: Hull and East Riding, England N° of regular participants: Over 500 Context: Dads Against Drugs uses football to address drug use, crime and anti-social behaviour in Hull’s diverse communities and prison environments. football3 since: 2001 How they play: Before the game, players discuss health, positive football and respect; after the game, they talk about their feelings about the match. The most common rules include respect, no swearing, and a positive attitude. During the match, peer support helps ensure that any issues such as foul play are addressed.
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Defensores del Chaco What it’s called: Fútbol Callejero Location: Chaco Chico (Greater Buenos Aires), Argentina N° of regular participants: 130 Context: Defensores del Chaco creates opportunities for and by young people who live in uncertainty and with limited opportunities. The organisation’s objective is to contribute to social change through the formation of community leaders and sustainable projects that address the problems affecting the community. football3 since: 2003 How they play: Girls and boys play together on a team. Along with other organisations in the greater Buenos Aires region, Defensores del Chaco developed a new point system: 3 points are awarded for scoring more goals, 1 point each for a draw. Additionally, 3 points can be achieved for fair play in general and 3 points for respecting the specific rules agreed upon before the match. This new system puts the spotlight on social points.
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Escuela de Deportes Alumni What it’s called: Fútbol Callejero Location: San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina N° of regular participants: 150 Context: Escuela de Deportes Alumni aims at promoting the wellbeing, integration and participation of the community and organises artistic activities and football events, as well as after-school educational support. football3 since: 2005 How they play: Matches are always played in gender-mixed teams. Not only do the players agree on technical rules (e.g. slide-tackles are prohibited), they also define the point system for each match: do we award a point for participating with a complete team? How many points do we award for respecting the values of solidarity, respect, and tolerance?
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Fundação Esportiva e Educacional Pro-Criança e Adolescente What it’s called: Esporte Educacional Location: Santana de Parnaíba, Brazil N° of regular participants: more than 200 Context: Football is used to transform children with low-self esteem and negative self-perception into critical and proactive citizens who are committed to changing their personal lives and collective circumstances. football3 since: 2005 How they play: Before the match both teams agree on technical and fair play rules, e.g. whether goalies can move freely around the pitch or whether at least one girl has to be playing at all times. Playing fair can decide the game: 25% of the points are awarded to the team with more goals, whereas 75% can be won by respecting the rules.
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Fundación de las Américas para el Desarrollo What it’s called: A GANAR Location: Quito, Ecuador N° of regular participants: 269 Context: A Ganar aims at counteracting the pressing issue of youth unemployment by using football to train, teach and motivate young people. The foundation harnesses football to develop concepts such as inclusion and ownership and to promote discipline and goal setting. football3 since: 2005 How they play: To prepare young people for the labour market, A Ganar emphasises skills such as team work, effective communication and goal setting. Impartial facilitators put one of these topics at the centre of the match, after they were discussed in class. For example, a match has to be played in complete silence or with two players taking each other by the hand. At the same time values like respect and discipline are integrated in the game. Each foul or error leads to a penalty shoot for the other team at the end of the match. The young people learn to respect the rules, because they might lose in the penalty shoot out in the end, even after winning the match in the 50 minutes before.
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Fundación Educere What it’s called: Fútbol Callejero Location: Puente Alto, a suburb of Santiago de Chile, Chile N° of regular participants: 60 Context: Educere provides educational opportunities for the most underprivileged young people of Puente Alto, one of the poorest suburbs of the Chilean capital Santiago de Chile. Football is used to involve young people on a continuous basis and empower them to become leaders and role models in their community. football3 since: 2007 How they play: Girls and boys play together. The players themselves define what should be evaluated the end of the match, e.g. teamwork, friendship, number of goals scored by girls. In the after-match evaluation a maximum of 3 points and a minimum of 1 point is awarded to each team for respecting these values and rules. Each team evaluates its own performance and suggests a score for the other team. The final result is usually the average of both evaluations.
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Fútbol por la Vida What it’s called: fútbol
tres Location: Puente Alto, a suburb of Santiago de Chile, Chile Context (Participants, Locations): Around 600 children and young people between the ages of 8 and 18; training from 1-2pm, twice per week, depending on location. football3 since: 2006 How they play: football3 is integrated into “normal” football training and used as the basis for all tournaments. Through workshops and training courses for trainers and players, as well as seminars at the local sports university, Fútbol por la Vida strives to spread football3 throughout Costa Rica.
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Gente Viva – Chigol What it’s called: Fútbol Callejero / el juego del CHIGOL Location: several communities in Santiago de Chile, Valparaíso, Punta Arenas, Chile N° of regular participants: 180 Context: CHIGOL aims at the social integration of people in the neighbourhood. It seeks to recapture abandoned public spaces in order to create a domain for young people to come together and explore their talent and potential. football3 since: 2005 How they play: Short games and activities before the actual match aim level the players’ moods. A common rule during the match is that both teams celebrate each goal together. After the match, the teams evaluate their performance. They can get up to 3 points each for complying with the values: respect, fair play and teamwork. The team that scores more goals receives an additional 3 points, 2 points are awarded for a draw and 1 for losing a match. The philosophy behind this point system is that everyone contributes and therefore keeps accumulating points, even if they lose a match.
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KICKFAIR What it’s called: Straßenfußball für Toleranz Location: based in Ostfildern, Germany, cooperating with institutions all over Germany and internationally N° of regular participants: 2001 Context: KICKFAIR works with young people who have limited access to education, training and the job market. It focuses particularly on youth leadership within the projects and coordinates joint projects with several other members internationally that use a form of football3. football3 since: 2003 How they play: Girls and boys play together on a team. The mediators are called “teamers”. The teams award each other Fair Play Points after a match for playing according to the previously set rules. These points count just as much as the points received for scoring goals.
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Mundo Afro What it’s called: Fútbol Callejero Location: Rivera, Uruguay N° of regular participants: 450 Context: Mundo Afro aims to foster the acceptance and integration of Afro-Uruguayan culture in society. The organisation fights against violence and discrimination, works to raise self-esteem in the Afro-Uruguayan population and exchange between African cultures and organisations world-wide. football3 since: 2007 How they play: Before each match the players agree on technical rules and values they want to comply with (fair play, respect, cooperation, etc.). They also agree if points will be given for sticking to these rules after the match or if only the final score counts. In most matches, additional points will be awarded. After the match the evaluation takes place with the help of the mediator.
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The Peres Center for Peace What it’s called: Fair Play / football3 Location: 20 comunidades en Israel y los territorios palestinos con problemas de densidad poblacional. Context: El football3 fue introducido tras las postivas experiencias en el festival. Actualmente, sólo un grupo etáreo (10-12 años) utiliza las reglas del football3. Una vez que se tengan los resultados de la fase piloto, se comenzará a utilizar progresivamente en otros grupos etáreos. football3 since: 2010 How they play: Se juega bajo las reglas del Festival Football for Hope. Antes del partido, los equipos se reúnen, discuten cómo quieren jugar y acuerdan las reglas especiales. Durante el encuentro es responsabilidad de los jugadores respetar las reglas. Las discrepancias se resuelven conversando, sin árbitro. Tras el partido, los equipos se vuelven a juntar, comentan el juego y entregan un puntaje adicional para cada uno por concepto de Fair Play.
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Soccer in the Streets What it’s called: Positive-Choice Soccer Location: Atlanta, USA – with affiliates in 20 cities across the US N° of regular participants: 120 Context: Soccer In The Streets uses football to teach disadvantaged young people in underserved communities how to make positive choices in life in order to better themselves, their families and their communities. football3 since: 2005 How they play: Some rules are already set: teams must have someone they don’t know in their rosters and girls’ goals count double. Other rules are set by the players. If players cannot resolve problems that arise on the pitch, the game comes to an end right away.
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Spirit of Soccer What it’s called: Fair Play Football Guidelines Location: Cambodia, Moldova, Iraq N° of regular participants: 15000 per year Context: Through football, Spirit of Soccer teaches children and coaches about the dangers of landmines and how to spread the message. They also produce balls with messages on how to keep safe from mines. football3 since: 2006 How they play: Before the game, the importance of fair play and proper communication is discussed. With the help of the so-called ‘minders’ (mediators), breaks during the match are used to evaluate the positive and negative situations that occurred on the pitch and possible other ways of dealing with them. The discussion after the match repeats what the players learned during the game and reiterates the messages about landmines.
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Youth in Action Sierra Leone Location: Kono District, Western Rural District, and Freetown, Sierra Leone N° of regular participants: Over 800 Context: From 1991 to 2002, the people of Sierra Leone witnessed a brutal civil war, marked by gross human rights abuses and massive destruction to both public and private properties. Many people became internally displaced or refugees. Youth in Action Sierra Leone uses football as a non-violent approach to conflict resolution and to enable young people and their communities to reflect on the causes and impact of war. football3 since: 2006 How they play: Players set their own rules and think of the match as a sport, not a fight; teams award each other points for fair play. Youth in Action Sierra Leone uses football3 to identify potential leaders who are active in discussions or show a passion for a specific issue.
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Introduction to a new approach to education, published by three network members. In English, German and Spanish.
Go to the overview of this section of the Knowledge Centre.
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