New Annual Report from love.fútbol Highlights Safe Sports Spaces’ Role in Community Development

Study conducted by the global non-profit organization, the European University and partners shows improvement in key aspects of community wellbeing

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Thursday, August 18, 2022) - love.fútbol in collaboration with the European University and community partners, recently revealed insights and trends from the value of building safe sports spaces in communities around the world. This Impact Evaluation is part of the 2021 Annual Report released by the global non-profit organization that is dedicated to creating, reclaiming, and redefining sports spaces as lasting platforms for social change.

“As an organization that has been focused on the sports development sector for 15 years, love.fútbol seeks to inspire and provide transformative developmental opportunities for younger generations and communities,” said love.fútbol Co-Founder and CEO Drew Chafetz. “This study helps us shed light on the extent of our impact in working with communities to build safe sports spaces and sets a stronger foundation to continue our collaboration with the public and private sectors. As part of our commitment to help address Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) challenges in the world, we will further develop our capabilities in sustainability planning, community engagement and sports space activations.”

The in-depth Impact Evaluation revealed that the most prominent impact of safe sports spaces built by love.fútbol and experienced by participants is in the following areas:

Social Capital

· 92% of participants reported an increase in confidence and self-esteem

· 86% of participants reported an increase in capacity to promote community growth

Collective Identity

· 90% increase in sense of belonging

Diversity, Access, and Inclusion

· 100% increase in access for girls to play

· 89% increase in integration and interactions amongst diverse community groups

Wellbeing

· 92% increase in physical and mental health

Sense of Security

· 90% decrease in cases of vandalism

· 87% increase in sense of security

Community Development

· 84% note improved student performance in school

· 82% felt the space led to the development of new projects and social programs

Since the organization was founded in 2006, nearly 90,000 children, youth and adults have been impacted by love.fútbol’s projects across five continents. In 2021, 25,000 children accessed a safe space to play with communities continuing to benefit from the spaces after the unveiling events.

The organization’s annual report also shares love.fútbol’s achievements and progress on its goals over the past year despite Covid-19, as well as new efforts to engage communities, corporate partners and other key stakeholders.

About love.fútbol

love.fútbol is an award-winning non-profit organization, social enterprise, and global network that reaches five continents and over 50 communities with the goal of providing children with a safe place to play and grow through sport. The organization engages, mobilizes and partners with communities to plan, build, manage and redefine their own sports spaces as hubs to inspire, educate and develop youth. Since 2006, love.fútbol has partnered with some of the biggest names in sport, business and non-profit to create safe sports spaces across five continents for nearly 90,000 children, youth and adults to be active, connect, grow and learn.

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#MoreThanAPlaceToPlay

Lilian SilvaAugust 18, 2022Comment