Vodafone Foundation support for global development
Posted on 06/10/2008
The Vodafone Foundation today announces its support for the Homeless World Cup Foundation, with a £500,000 start-up package to be granted over the next two years.The funds will be used by the Homeless World Cup Foundation to build the infrastructure for the development of grass roots football programmes in over 60 nations, which will include a CEO and International Development Director.
Since being established by social entrepreneur Mel Young in 2003, the Homeless World Cup has achieved rapid growth. The programme now reaches 30,000 players and has a global demand and ambition to engage one million players in over 75 nations. 77% of players involved experience a significant life change; no-longer using drugs and alcohol, moving into homes, jobs, education, training, repairing relationships and becoming coaches or players with semi-pro teams. 94% claim to have a renewed motivation for life.
Over the last five years, The Vodafone Foundation has invested over £100 million in social investments around the world. It will continue invest in exciting sport initiatives which have the ability to reach out to the most marginalised and disadvantaged groups in communities around the globe. Between now and 2010 The Vodafone Foundation has committed £12million for programmes such as the Homeless World Cup which have positive effects on health, education and help alleviate poverty.
Mel Young, President and founder of the Homeless World Cup said: “The Homeless World Cup has demonstrated that football can change lives, it can change the world. We are extremely grateful to The Vodafone Foundation’s start-up funding which provides a giant leap towards building a £5million annual fund to achieve our ambitions. We have a fabulous opportunity ahead, a great challenge and we need more people and more organisations to take The Vodafone Foundation’s innovative lead to get football changing the world.”
Andrew Dunnett, Director of The Vodafone Foundation says: “We are delighted to support a project that has an enterprising attitude to make a difference on an international scale. The Vodafone Foundation is committed to funding projects that create a strong force for change and high level impact. Having already directly improved the lives of thousands of people, The Homeless World Cup is a great project.”
