A unique mix of nonprofits, fan groups, grassroots clubs and minority rights groups in 50 countries will receive grants to run football activities that drive social impact and education during the biggest anti-discrimination and social inclusion campaign in European sport during October 2017.

The Football People grants were created to help groups across Europe to tackle discrimination and implement social inclusion activities using football as a social tool.

Fourteen (14) ‘Event Grants’ have been awarded to Football People initiatives in Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Scotland and Ukraine. These grants will fund a range of national level initiatives including football festivals, road-shows, nation-wide media campaigns, a photography exhibition and conferences addressing topics including refugee inclusion and participation in sport, women's football and female empowerment, nationalism and discrimination.

210 small grants have been distributed to fund smaller scale initiatives, such as football tournaments, workshops, exhibitions, discussions, film screenings and more, during the two-week period, which kicks-off on 5 October.

A big and growing movement
Fare network Executive Director Piara Powar said: "The Football People weeks is an important period for European football as it brings together all of those who watch, play or run the sport and supports inclusion and diversity across its structures while challenging intolerance and discrimination.”

“This is a big and growing movement, our target is to reach 100,000 people directly taking part in activities. We encourage grassroots organisations to join the campaign and get involved with their own activities" added Powar.

The Football People action weeks will run between 5-19 October.

2017 Event Grants

Human Constanta, Belarus
Human Constanta will organise a festival against discrimination in Minsk, which will includes lectures, workshops, master-classes with representatives of football clubs, and a series of cultural activities.

Agencija za komunikacije EBBE COMMS, Bosnia and Herzegovina
After leading an initiative in 2015, EBBE COMMS will run a media campaign across TV and social media touching upon many of the big issues in football in the Balkans. The initiative will be launched at a conference in Sarajevo.

Monaliiku - Monikansallisten naisten hyvinvointi ja liikunta ry, Finland
The Monaliiku "Football for Women Refugees" festival will include football sessions and cultural initiatives for female refugees in Finland. It will also include a seminar divided into two panels, one on women in football and the second on homophobia in football.

Les Dégommeuses, France
This highly respected grassroots women's football group will conduct and launch research on the presence of women's sport in French media. The findings will be presented at an event in Paris with targeted at an audience of media outlets.

Ελληνικό Φόρουμ Μεταναστών, Greece
Ελληνικό Φόρουμ Μεταναστών of Athens will produce an awareness-raising TV advert on discrimination in football. A launch event will introduce the advert to the general public.

Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI), Ireland
For the third consecutive year, SARI will run their traveling roadshow. This year the initiative takes football to refugee centers and communities at risk of exclusion.

Malta Football Association, Malta
The Maltese FA will run a half-day conference on diversity in football and will carry out awareness-raising activities at matches.

EUROCLIO - European Association of History Educators, the Netherlands
EUROCLIO will run an educational conference bringing together educators and football journalists who will deepen their understanding of the impact of discrimination in football and society and learn from each others best practices.

Asociatia Semper Musica, Romania
A travelling roadshow will host panel discussions, film screenings and other activities in four cities in Romania - Galati, Vrancea, Buzau and Bacau with a kick-off in Bucharest.

Женский футбольный клуб GirlPower, Russia
GirlPower are one of the best organised women’s football clubs in Russia, their initiative will launch a video campaign and online platform to support female empowerment through football. An open-training session will be held after the launch to promote the practice of football among girls and women.

Inštitút pre medzikultúrny dialog, Slovakia
The Slovakian IPMD group will run a nationwide football tournament in Bratislava, with a panel discussion and music activities to highlight issues of the involvement of refugees and ethnic minorities in football.

Dragones de Lavapiés, Spain
Dragones de Lavapiés will curate and launch an exhibition on football as a tool to tackle stereotypes, prejudices and fear. The exhibition will be on display at Matadero Madrid and on the launching day short football matches will be held, bringing the exhibition to live.

Nil by Mouth, Scotland
At a time in which the Scottish Parliament is due to re-examine the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, Nil By Mouth will organise a debate on the topic involving Members of the Parliament, fans and other stakeholders.

Всеукраинская ассоциация организаций Маккаби, Ukraine
The first Sport for Unity and Diversity forum in the Ukraine will take place alongside a series of football matches and flashmobs bringing together ethnic minorities and national cultural organisations.