GC - Game Changers – Developing the next generation of Leaders

The project “Game Changers – Developing the Next Generation of Leaders” (GC) empowers youth at risk of poverty, discrimination and exclusion to shape their lives effectively and thus promote social participation. In addition, the positive impact of Football for Good activities in Europe is increased by providing a toolkit that makes young people strong for a dynamic and ever-changing future. Every 5. child in Austria and between 20–35% of all children in the Visegrad region are at risk of poverty and social exclusion (based on the studies of the EU and Statistik Austria 2022). These children are disadvantaged in their age-appropriate development, it is harder for them to socialise and they have poorer educational opportunities. The objective of GC is the development of a football-based toolkit and the implementation of a Youth Leaders Week that empowers Youth Leaders to use football activities as a tool for promoting inclusion, diversity and equality in their communities. Youth Leaders help shape the development of the toolkit, take on responsibility in their organisations and act as role models. In their role as peer mentors, they support young people with fewer opportunities, for example with a migrant background or young people facing socio-economic difficulties, in realising their potential. The toolkit serves as a guide and support for Youth Leaders in carrying out their role. Through the project young people feel more self-efficacious, have an awareness of inclusion and diversity and a sense of responsibility and participation. In the long term around 15,000 young people are empowered to deal with daily and societal challenges through the impact of Youth Leaders using the toolkit in disadvantaged communities, which improves their personal future prospects at various levels. The project “Game Changers” will be implemented from Kicken ohne Grenzen and INEX-SDA. Both organisations successfully use the power of football for social change for several years.