Issues we care about | Common Goal

Explore Issues We Care About

Grounded in the priorities of the football for good community, we bring people together to work across today’s biggest challenges – such as gender inequality, racism, climate change, inclusion and mental health, aligning around shared priorities, elevating community-driven solutions, and working to transform systems from the ground up.

Discover Equal Play Effect

Gender Equity

Football has the power to expand girls’ worlds — helping them reimagine what’s possible for themselves and their communities.

When safe, inclusive ecosystems are in place, the game becomes a space where girls feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow into leaders on and off the pitch. But these outcomes only happen when gender equity is embedded at every level of football — from participation and coaching to leadership and governance.

Together with our community, we work to challenge harmful stereotypes, promote equal representation, and create pathways for girls and women to thrive in and through the game.

PUBLICATIONS

EPE 5 Year report

PROJECTS

adidas Breaking Barriers

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Something is shifting for girls in Jordan

Climate Action

Climate change is already disrupting sport and the communities around it — especially those in vulnerable contexts — yet many organisations still lack the tools, knowledge and resources to adapt.

With our community and partners, we develop practical pathways to tackle climate challenges, expanding access to funding, strengthening shared learning, and supporting local solutions.

By addressing education, climate adaptation and advocacy, we help football become a space where communities can respond, build resilience and shape a more sustainable future.

PUBLICATIONS

Match Day for our Planet

PROJECTS

Move for the Planet

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"I want to be part of the solution"

LGBTQ+ Inclusion

Across the world, LGBTQ+ youth communities to face discrimination both on and off the pitch — from exclusion in football culture to legal and social barriers that limit safety and belonging.

The game can challenge these norms, creating environments where people feel respected, visible and free to be themselves.

Together with the football for good community and partners across the game, we support initiatives that equip coaches, staff, fan groups and organisations with the tools to foster allyship, strengthen inclusive cultures, and create safer spaces in stadiums and communities alike.

By elevating community-driven approaches and collective learning, we help expand who football is for — on and beyond the pitch.

PROJECTS

Play Proud

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How Play Proud enabled a football fan to help make their communities more LGBTQ+ inclusive

Listen to the audio series

Mental Health

Isolation, stigma and social pressure are rising realities for many young people today — making safe, supportive environments more important than ever. Football can become a powerful space for connection, where young people feel seen, supported and part of a community that cares about their wellbeing.

We work alongside athletes, community organisations and partners to strengthen how football environments prioritise mental health — improving safeguarding practices, encouraging open dialogue, and placing wellbeing at the heart of participation.

PROJECTS

Common Goal and E-Motion Expand Create the Space

VIDEOS

Create the Space

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Bartrip opens up on her journey after joining Create the Space

Climate Action

PUBLICATIONS

Match Day for our Planet

PROJECTS

Move for the Planet

GET INSPIRED

"I want to be part of the solution"

Social integration & Anti-racism

On and off the pitch, structural barriers and discrimination continue to shape who feels welcome, represented and able to participate. Young people from refugee, migrant and racialised communities often face challenges that go beyond access to sport, from language and economic barriers to a lack of safe environments where they feel they belong.

When delivered intentionally, football can become a space where diversity is recognised as strength and where trust, confidence and connection grow across cultures. But this requires approaches that challenge both individual bias and the systems that shape the game.

We work to advance equity, inclusion and social integration — strengthening local leadership, promoting anti-racist practices, and helping create football environments where everyone can participate with dignity and respect.

PUBLICATIONS

Switch the Pitch Coaching Toolkit

PROJECTS

Unity 2.0

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Detroit City FC launch Switch the Pitch initiative

Explore our Projects

Common Goal powers collective, community-led initiatives that strengthen football for good and accelerates its growth and impact—expanding opportunities for young people to play, learn, and thrive.

Breaking Barriers (2020 - 2025)

The adidas Breaking Barriers Project (2020-2025) was a commitment to breaking down barriers for women and girls across Europe

Climate Champions Community

A community of the world’s most climate-conscious players

Common Ground

Enabling young people to play, lead and create positive change for themselves and their communities.

Equal Play Effect Africa

Creating a pan-African network to accelerate progress towards gender equality

Equal Play Effect Asia Pacific

Equal Play Effect Asia Pacific: building the legacy of the Women's World Cup 2023

Equal Play Effect Brasil

The first EPE chapter solely dedicated to one country

Every Child is a Champion

Empowering South African Communities through Play, Learning and Football

Football for Unity 2.0

Harnessing the power of football to promote social inclusion and empower young refugees, migrants, and vulnerable youth across Europe.

Lay's RePlay | Pitch Launch

Celebrating the opening of a new space for play and connection.

Play Coll3ctive

Expanding equitable access to youth sport & physical activity across North America

Play Proud

LGBTQ+ discrimination comes in many forms—ranging from homophobic chants in the stands to laws that criminalise LGBTQ+ identities.

SOMOS Equidad

SOMOS Equidad is part of Common Goal's Equal Play Effect initiative, working to accelerate progress towards gender equity in football

Switch the Pitch Chicago

A community initiative rooted in racial justice in soccer in partnership with Chicago Fire

Switch the Pitch Detroit

A community initiative rooted in racial justice in soccer in partnership with Detroit City FC

Switch the Pitch Oakland

A community initiative rooted in racial justice in soccer in partnership with Oakland Roots

adidas Move for the Planet

adidas and Common Goal supported projects that engaged communities in sustainability and climate resilience through sport