In brief

Football United-Myanmar uses the power of sport as a vehicle to engage and mobilise young people and communities to take part in a movement that fosters trust, restores hope and builds more inclusive and cohesive societies in conflict-affected communities. Operating in Kayin State, one of the most war-torn states in Myanmar, Football United-Myanmar recruits and trains young leaders as football coaches and peace-builders.

Problem to be tackled

Myanmar is a country of great ethnic and cultural diversity. Officially recognizing 135 ethnic groups, each of which has its own language and culture, Myanmar is also home to the world’s longest standing civil war. While the government of Myanmar strives to implement a nationwide ceasefire agreement, the need for grassroots interventions to help rebuild the social contract between the state and its diverse social groups has never been more apparent.

Local partner

Football United-Myanmar operates programming across dozens of project sites in Kayin and Mon state in Myamar and implements activities that are focused on educating out-of-school young people and promoting social cohesion:

a) Playing Football and Promoting Peace including the delivery o weekly football for non-formal education programme which will cover tailor-made literacy programmes in addition to Football United-Myanmar’s traditional approach to football for social cohesion, resilience building and psychological support in conflict-affected communities led by trained coaches and

b) Strengthening Community Engagement and Local Ownership including leading annual community meetings with stakeholders focused on understanding local context and need so as to adjust programming as needed and to generate buy in from community partners to support long term sustainability or recruiting and training of university students and community volunteers in both football skill training and Football United-Myanmar’s football for social change curriculum.

Beneficiaries

Football United-Myanmar works directly with out of school children and young people aged seven to 24 through its football and peace programming; Football United-Myanmar will also train facilitators to lead football for non-formal education sessions.

SOL’s contribution

With the continued support from The SOL Foundation, Laureus Sport for Good will be able to further assist Football United-Myanmar in increasing reach and impact of the programme in Myanmar, an area which is currently not on the radar for huge support.

Project partner

Laureus Sport for Good uses the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage for children and young people all around the world. It supports currently more than 200 programmes in over 40 countries with funding and capacity building, helping to change the lives of over 200’000 marginalised and disadvantaged children and young people – from increasing access to education, to tackling gang violence, to supporting the mental health of youth in post-trauma situations.

Laureus Sport for Good was founded under the Patronage of Nelson Mandela, in line with his belief that “sport has the power to change the world” after seeing it play a crucial role in rebuilding post-apartheid South African society.