Global tournament for the homeless nets £500,000

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. The grant will also enable the charity organisation to employ a CEO for the first time.

The Homeless World Cup is an annual international tournament which provides the opportunity for homeless people to change their own lives. Starting with just 18 countries, this year’s seven-day contest will unite 56 nations and include a women’s tournament when it kicks off in Melbourne on 1 December 2008.

Since being established by social entrepreneur Mel Young in 2003, it has achieved rapid growth. The programme now reaches 30,000 players and has a global ambition to engage one million players in over 75 nations.

According to research, 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 comments: “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.”

For more information about the Homeless World Cup go to www.homelessworldcup.org and The Vodafone Foundation go to www.vodafonefoundation.org