4th Edition of Football for peace & sustainable development: Healing minds, building peace through Football

Rising Hope Foundation for Change (RHFC) in partnership with Rising Hope Sports Academy (RHSA) proudly presents the 4th Edition of "Football for Peace and Sustainable Development" under the theme: Healing Minds, Building Peace through Football.

Set in Limbe, Cameroon – a host community for thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to the Anglophone crisis – this flagship event uses football (Ndamba) to promote peace, unity, social cohesion, mental health, and youth engagement in post-conflict communities.

Overall goal: Foster peace, social inclusion, mental health, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development in conflict-affected communities through football and youth-led engagement.

Specific objectives

• Organise a Football for Peace Tournament with 20 youth teams (13-15 years, boys and girls) from IDP host communities.
• Conduct youth workshops on peacebuilding, SDG awareness, and leadership.
• Facilitate cultural exchange and dialogue between displaced youths and host community members.
• Provide trauma-informed care and mental health awareness to 1,000+ youths.
• Train 20 local coaches in conflict-sensitive and inclusive coaching methods.
• Plant fruit trees and conduct cleanup campaigns.
• Award prizes and didactic materials to all participants.

Key activities

1. Tournament for Healing – inclusive football matches.
2. Mind & Goal Workshops – trauma awareness, emotional regulation, peer support networks.
3. Trauma-Informed Coach Training (2 days for 20 coaches).
4. Community Healing Circle (cultural evening with storytelling).
5. Green Peace Initiative – tree planting and cleanup.
6. Awards and recognition ceremony.

Expected outcomes

• 1,000+ participants report improved confidence and emotional resilience.
• Increased social cohesion between IDPs and host communities.
• Local leaders and coaches are empowered to continue peacebuilding and mental health advocacy.

 Links to past editions/proof of work

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=090fkpVzmE8&t=6s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHaHfJqRmd8