"SPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL COHESION" (SMHSC) PROGRAMME: Final recipients selected

The Agence française de développement (AFD), the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the German Development Cooperation (BMZ/GIZ) have joined forces to finance the "Sport for Mental Health and Social Cohesion" (SMHSC) programme in response to the Covid pandemic. A total of 13 projects were selected for support. The contribution of FIFA valued football-based projects.

The final selection committee of the SMHSC programme took place on 16 December 2021 and brought together representatives of AFD, FIFA, GIZ, La Guilde, Sport en Commun (Sport in Common) and the experts mobilised to review the applications. Out of 45 projects, 13 laureates[1] from 11 different countries around the world were selected.  

These projects use football, basketball, boxing, zumba, table tennis and multisport as a tool for mental health and well-being, the programme's main theme, but also as a tool for gender equality and social inclusion.

Through the SMHSC programme, AFD, FIFA and GIZ (on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)), are working together to fight the negative social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen sport as a tool for mental health and well-being. The call for projects was entrusted to the NGO La Guilde, and was open to projects in selected countries in Africa (Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda), Asia (Indonesia, Pakistan, India), Latin America (Colombia, Ecuador), the Middle East (Jordan, Lebanon, Northern Iraq) and the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia, Serbia). The total amount of funds distributed amounts to €343,050, i.e., an average funding of €26,000 per project.

The 13 winners[2] of the SMHSC programme:

AFRICA

Tackle Africa – Côte d’Ivoire

Alive and Kicking Kenya – Kenya

Special Olympics Senegal – Senegal

Golden Boots Uganda – Uganda

ASIA

Youth Football Club Rurka Kalan – India

ASA Foundation – Indonesia

LATIN AMERICA

Fundación Sidoc – Colombia

Fundación Fútbol Más Ecuador – Ecuador

FUDELA – Ecuador

MIDDLE-EAST

Reclaim Childhood Inc – Jordan

WESTERN BALKANS

Center for Youth Progress – Albania

Epoka e Re – Albania

Together Advancing Common Trust – North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia Herzegovina