UNESCO contributes towards Forca Goa's online program

After successfully completing the pilot for the ‘At home football’ program, Forca Goa Foundation is delighted to announce that UNESCO is going to contribute towards the next phase.

The UNESCO grant aims to provide support to Non-Profit Youth and/or Sports-based organisations working towards minimising the negative impact of Covid-19, especially on children and youth.

Due to the situation we are in, children and youth, especially from marginalised communities were largely affected as schools were shut, family members lost jobs and access to food proved difficult in the initial months. While most things are opening up, children are still at a disadvantage as most schools remain shut.

The Forca Goa Foundation was part of the UNESCO Sports and SDG Funshop that took place in Seoul in 2019. The event was attended by 70 youth activists from 28 countries across Asia-Pacific. Each participant was an advocate for sports for development, leading their community’s sports-based social projects. The purpose of the Funshop was for these individuals to exchange ideas and improve their programmes, members of the taskforce would also have access to grants, support and sessions offered by UNESCO for organisations and individuals working in the sports for development sector.

The foundation conducted a free online football program for children from lesser privileged communities to stay engaged and connected while they learn football and gain knowledge on socially relevant issues. Physical activity is an important aspect of ensuring overall development of a child and through our programs children have access to trained football coaching, workshops and activities that emphasize the importance of nutrition, gender equality and on waste management.

We were extremely happy to know that the Foundation’s work resonates with UNESCO’s vision to contribute to the building of a culture of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, sports and information. In fact, when we had a debrief call to explain our initiative and proposal, the UNESCO team informed us that it was one of the most promising and thought-through proposals they had received!

Moving forward, the phase two program will see the foundation partnering with three schools in Goa to provide the online program and focussed coaching to the students through the medium of WhatsApp. Our aim is to empower the teachers to carry out the program even after our intervention so that children can benefit in the long run.

We are honoured to get this recognition and support from UNESCO and through the grant, we are further motivated to strengthen our existing programs while continuing to work and develop the game of football by empowering children and their communities.