Timeline: June 28 - July 4 2010

Location: Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa

The Football for Hope Festival 2010 celebrated the power of football for social change. 32 teams of young people from disadvantaged communities around the world came to Johannesburg, South Africa for a festival of education, culture and football. The boys and girls are members of organisations which tackle social issues using football – from homelessness in the UK and landmines in Cambodia, to HIV/AIDS education in South Africa and integration of refugees in Australia. This official event of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ is organised by FIFA, streetfootballworld, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa and the City of Johannesburg.

streetfootballworld network members involved in this project: Al Quds Association, Altus Sport, BSA, BUSA, CDC Bongiovanni, CDI, Chigol, Club 25 de Mayo, Coaching for Hope, Colombianitos, Dads Against Drugs, Defensores del Chaco, Diambars, Eprocad, Espérance, Formação, Football Friends, Football United, Fundación de las Américas para el Desarrollo, Fundación Educere, Granja Andar, Grassroot Soccer, Gurises Unidos, Kalim Sports Council, Kickfair, Kick4Life, Magic Bus, MYSA, Moving the Goalposts, Mundo Afro, Play Soccer, Puntagol, Search and Groom, SARI, Ser Paz, Sport dans la Ville, Starfinder Foundation, Soccer in the Streets, Spirit of Soccer, Street League, The Kids League, The Peres Center for Peace, WhizzKids United

Project partners: FIFA, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa, the City of Johannesburg

READ WHAT HAPPENED BEHIND THE SCENES ON THE FESTIVAL TEAM BLOG!

WATCH A VIDEO OF THE FOOTBALL FOR HOPE FESTIVAL 2010!

Okt 20, 2010: Football for Hope 2010 Organising Team brings even more to Alex
July 21, 2010: streetfootballworld honoured in Alexandra
July 10, 2010: Football for Hope Festival 2010 ends on a high note
July 8, 2010: African teams strongly represented in the second group stage
July 4, 2010: The games begin at 3 Square
June 30, 2010: Painting, photography and more at the Football for Hope Festival 2010
June 28, 2010: The Football for Hope Festival 2010 has begun!
June 15, 2010: Visit the Siyakhona photo gallery!
May 27, 2010: German teams wish each other luck for South Africa
May 18, 2010: Ugandan national team visits The Kids League

Thirty-two delegations participated in the Football for Hope Festival 2010. Many teams consisted of young people from different projects, and in total more than 50 local development organisations came together in South Africa. All players were selected not for their skill on the football pitch, but for their personal achievements and contributions to helping their own communities.   READ MORE

The Football for Hope Festival saw a fast-paced football tournament featuring mixed teams of boys and girls - and no referees! Any disagreements on the pitch were resolved through dialogue between the players - a method proven to encourage personal development and mutual understanding. READ MORE

For the over 300 delegation members who came to Johannesburg, the festival experience was about much more than just football. In the first week there were activities promoting the exchange of ideas and experiences, discussions on topics such as HIV/AIDS, football coaching workshops and cultural performances. Delegation leaders and coaches were given the opportunity to exchange and learn from one another. READ MORE

For the first time ever, an African nation hosted a FIFA World Cup. The Football for Hope Festival took place in a melting pot of African cultures - the township of Alexandra in Johannesburg. 'Alex', as the locals call it, is both one of the most traditional and one of the most individual townships in the country, situated right next to the city’s wealthiest area Sandton. In a specially constructed stadium for over 2,500 spectators, the Football for Hope Festival welcomed the enthusiastic Alex community and its international guests.