The #FootballPeople Weeks is the largest campaign for social change and diversity in global football. For two weeks every year, more than 150,000 people across over 50 countries take part in activities that use football as a platform to challenge discrimination, celebrate diversity and build more inclusive communities.

Since its creation, the campaign has brought together a global network of activists, grassroots clubs, leagues, community groups and individuals who believe in football’s power to make a difference. Through coordinated actions, visibility work and grassroots initiatives, the #FootballPeople Weeks highlight both the challenges and the opportunities in the fight for equality across the game.

Who is it for?

The #FootballPeople Weeks are open to everyone. Supporters, players, clubs, ethnic minority groups, LGBTIQ+ organisations, women’s networks, activists, schools, NGOs and informal community collectives all take part. No matter your background, role or identity, you are invited to participate.

At the heart of the campaign is a shared belief that football belongs to all of us. Participants come together from diverse communities and contexts, united by a commitment to stand against discrimination in all its forms and to ensure that football remains a space where every person feels safe, welcome and respected. The campaign encourages actions that promote equality across lines of origin, race, gender, religion, class, sexuality or ability.

Global Reach and Participation

In recent years, #FootballPeople activities have taken place on pitches, in classrooms, online and in public spaces in countries including Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand, the United States and South Africa. From small neighbourhood tournaments to national conferences, from school workshops to high-profile matchday actions, the campaign has grown into a truly global movement.

It has also been supported by some of football’s most recognisable figures, including Yaya Touré, Iker Casillas, Didier Drogba, Thomas Hitzlsperger, Marco Verratti, Claudio Marchisio and Edinson Cavani. Their involvement amplifies the message that equality and inclusion are central values for the sport and that everyone, from grassroots players to international stars, has a role to play.

Grants and Community Support

A central part of the #FootballPeople Weeks is the grant programme, which supports grassroots groups and community-led initiatives around the world. Each year, Fare provides financial assistance to organisations and activists who use football to challenge discrimination, strengthen local communities and expand participation among underrepresented groups.

These grants help make local actions possible, covering essential costs and enabling groups to design activities that speak to their specific context. Supported projects often include:

• community football tournaments and festivals

• workshops, panel discussions and educational sessions

• media, storytelling and visibility projects

• exhibitions, film screenings and cultural events

• creative interventions, artwork and public campaigns

• matchday actions led by clubs and supporter groups

Grantees also receive communications support and access to campaign materials, helping their work reach wider audiences and connect with the global network of #FootballPeople activists.

Examples of Projects Supported by Fare

To illustrate the impact of the grants programme, we’re highlighting three initiatives supported through our campaign. You can also find an expanded list of projects here.

The Door Center – Sport for Solidarity (Albania)

The Door Center organised a three-day community football event in Shkodër promoting solidarity, tolerance and equality among children aged 10–14 from rural and urban communities, including Roma and Egyptian groups. The initiative used sport to strengthen social inclusion and highlight anti-racism values, with local coaches, journalists and former athletes lending their support.

The culminating event brought together 127 children from sports clubs, social institutions and minority communities. Matches were accompanied by public messages on human rights, children’s rights and the importance of respect. Local media covered the action, helping amplify its message across the district.

Former national players, coaches and referees joined the award ceremony, celebrating participation and reinforcing the event’s call for unity and equal access to play.

You can find out more about their work here.

Leyton Orient Trust – Football Colours Workshops (United Kingdom)

Leyton Orient Trust developed Football Colours, a project designed to inspire young people from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in football coaching, media and sports science. The initiative focused on increasing representation by showcasing local role models from BAME backgrounds who occupy influential positions in the game.

Across four workshops, around 80 young people aged 14–25 explored the historical progress of BAME communities in football and learned how local professionals have navigated their careers. Participants received a practical resource mapping out contacts, pathways and opportunities, helping them take concrete next steps in volunteering, education or employment.

By connecting young people directly with relatable mentors, the project strengthened aspirations, promoted visibility and highlighted realistic routes into football-related professions.

You can find out more about their work here.

Sports Legal – Belles of the Ball (Kenya)

Sports Legal launched Belles of the Ball, an initiative bringing together women football players and coaches to strengthen the development of the women’s game in Kenya. The project aimed to build a sustainable community rooted in leadership, mentorship and the sharing of technical knowledge.

The programme created platforms for education and collaboration through football clinics, group sessions and discussions on coaching, life skills and personal development. By fostering mentor–mentee relationships, Sports Legal worked to equip women with the confidence, skills and networks needed to influence the growth of women’s football.

The long-term vision is to establish a strong, interconnected community of women leaders in football, one capable of shaping leagues, tournaments and pathways for future generations.

You can find out more about their work here.