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The Republic of Austria awards Harald Schmied with the Gold Medal of Service
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One of the founders of the Homeless World Cup has been rewarded for his commitment.

In the year 2003, the very first Homeless World Cup took place in Graz, Austria. But it was still a long way until the first streetfootballworld championship kicked off. And as with all large projects, it needed an initial spark, an idea. The Scot Mel Young, and Harald Schmied, then the chief editor of the Graz street newspaper, Megaphon, had this idea at the annual conference of International Network of Street Papers (INSP) in 2001 in Cape Town. But after the idea was formed, it still needed the conviction of Harald, so that the above mentioned kick-off in Graz’s main square could take place.

The great success of Graz 2003 enabled a repetition of the event in 2004 in Gothenburg. The even greater influx of participating nations, the great interest of the audience and media and, above all, the positive impact on the life circumstances of the participating players demanded more. It was not least due to the personal commitment of Harald Schmied that made it possible for the streetfootballworld championship to take place annually.

Even though Harald has withdrawn from the international operational management of the event over the years, as head of communication at Caritas Steiermark he was also responsible for the project Homeless World Cup Austria. Since finally giving up this area of leadership, he has still closely been connected to the project - and beyond the press work - always has an open ear for questions and is there for advice.

For his long-term commitment, Harald Schmied has now received a great honour: the Gold Medal of Service of the Republic of Austria. The ceremony took place in the presence of his family and long-term Homeless World Cup companions at the Social Ministry in Vienna. After a speech from the former Caritas president Franz Küberl, familiar with the project from the start, Social Minister Alois Stöger handed over the award.

We warmly congratulate Harald on this award. Without his tireless personal commitment, his and Mel Young’s idea could not have made its way around the globe.

It is an idea that, since it was first implemented in Graz, has enabled thousands of players to make their way out of difficult social situations.

And thank you for the years-long successful leadership of the Homeless World Cup Austria project, which Harald will hopefully soon be more heavily involved in again after his health related time off.

[This article was translated from German by the Operating Team.]

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