Playing for Peace

Enabling young people to lead the creation of peaceful societies

Enabling young people to lead the creation of peaceful societies

According to the United Nations, over 600 million young people across the globe are currently living in “volatile and conflict-prone areas.” The causes of conflict and violence are manifold, such as political tension, drug-related crime or terrorism, and can be locally focused or inter-regional. This situation is compounded by a significant trust gap between young people and their governments and civil society.

Playing for Peace addresses these challenges by strengthening the position of young people in decision-making processes and influencing peaceful conflict resolution towards the creation of peaceful, inclusive societies.

Over the course of three years, young leaders from the participating communities will build strong skills in the areas of leadership, inclusive thinking, non-violent communication and conflict-resolution as well as gain extensive knowledge on the socio-cultural-economic setup of their respective communities and the underlying potential for conflict and injustice.

In addition, these young leaders will be trained as Football for Good coaches through an established, tried-and-tested curriculum. They will become ‘Peace Agents’ and will carry out regular sessions with adolescents between the ages of 15 and 18. As Peace Agents, they will act as role models for other young people and will engage the wider community through a series of events.

Through this, the aim is to increase intercultural competencies among members of the community, giving space for a greater mental openness and inclusion among people with different cultures, races, religions and/or capacities.

To increase open-mindedness and intercultural competencies, young leaders and players will get the opportunity for international exchange through Football for Good events hosted by the project partners.

Playing for Peace kicked off in July 2021 lead by India-based Football for Good organisation YFC Rurka Kalan. Together with 10 other community organisations from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East the project will be rolled out in three yearlong phases.

The Goal

Young people are empowered to shape their communities and play a key role in creating peaceful and inclusive societies.

The Strategy

Educate youth leaders as Peace Agents and Football for Good coaches, enabling them to tackle intolerance, social hostilities, systemic inequality and violence in their communities.

How it Works

Playing for Peace uses football-based methodologies to create learning spaces and enable young people to become Peace Agents in their communities.

Challenge

Worldwide, over 600 million young people live in situations of violence and conflict. Together with a trust gap between youth and their governments and civil society, this causes:
Reduced quality of life and well-being
Due to frustration, lack of dignity, psychological trauma, poor mental health and increased social barriers.
Unequal opportunities and hampered growth
Discrimination, lack of social cohesion, lack of respect etc. create an environment where young people have fewer opportunities and are hindered in their development.
Physical harm and displacement
Deep-rooted societal tension results in violence that can lead to armed conflict, displacing or killing millions of people.

Solution

Tackle the negative effects of conflict on young people and empower them to create the change they need for themselves and their communities.
Global citizenship & peacebuilding training
Young leaders are equipped with extensive knowledge on the socio-cultural-economic setup of their communities and the underlying potential for conflict and injustice.
Youth become Peace Agents
Young leaders are trained as coaches and Peace Agents and bolster peacebuilding efforts by engaging adolescents in regular sessions with ‘football3’ and ‘streetfootball for tolerance’ methodologies.
Promote intercultural exchange
To further increase open-mindedness & intercultural competencies, young people engage in international exchange through Football for Good events hosted by project partners.

Impact

The potential of young people is promoted and drawn upon enabling them to become the drivers of a peaceful future for all.
SHORT TERM
A learning environment and curriculum for global citizenship and peacebuilding education has been created.
MID TERM
The project partners apply the curriculum and methodology, enabling young leaders to become Peace Agents in communal conflict situations.
LONG TERM
Young people are empowered and equipped to play a key role in the creation of peaceful, inclusive societies.
Challenge
Worldwide, over 600 million young people live in situations of violence and conflict. Together with a trust gap between youth and their governments and civil society, this causes:
Reduced quality of life and well-being
Due to frustration, lack of dignity, psychological trauma, poor mental health and increased social barriers.
Unequal opportunities and hampered growth
Discrimination, lack of social cohesion, lack of respect etc. create an environment where young people have fewer opportunities and are hindered in their development.
Physical harm and displacement
Deep-rooted societal tension results in violence that can lead to armed conflict, displacing or killing millions of people.
Solution
Tackle the negative effects of conflict on young people and empower them to create the change they need for themselves and their communities.
Global citizenship & peacebuilding training
Young leaders are equipped with extensive knowledge on the socio-cultural-economic setup of their communities and the underlying potential for conflict and injustice.
Youth become Peace Agents
Young leaders are trained as coaches and Peace Agents and bolster peacebuilding efforts by engaging adolescents in regular sessions with ‘football3’ and ‘streetfootball for tolerance’ methodologies.
Promote intercultural exchange
To further increase open-mindedness & intercultural competencies, young people engage in international exchange through Football for Good events hosted by project partners.
Impact
The potential of young people is promoted and drawn upon enabling them to become the drivers of a peaceful future for all.
SHORT TERM
A learning environment and curriculum for global citizenship and peacebuilding education has been created.
MID TERM
The project partners apply the curriculum and methodology, enabling young leaders to become Peace Agents in communal conflict situations.
LONG TERM
Young people are empowered and equipped to play a key role in the creation of peaceful, inclusive societies.
"It has been a fascinating experience to have met people and children who share the same language, food, culture and history but have been divided by petty regional and international politics. I enjoy my work creating an enabling environment for connecting both sides of Punjab."
Jaspreet Kaur, Project Manager, YFC Rurka Kalan, India
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