Ethiopia is among the countries benefiting from a new global education and sports initiative, as the Emmanuel Development Association has been selected as a grant recipient under the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
The announcement, made jointly by FIFA and Global Citizen, marks the first round of funding awards from the initiative, which aims to expand access to quality education and sport for children in underserved communities worldwide. The Ethiopian organization is one of 27 grassroots groups from 10 countries receiving grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000.
The Emmanuel Development Association works to support vulnerable communities through education, health services, child protection, and livelihood programmes, with a focus on strengthening resilience among children and families.
The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, launched as a flagship philanthropic initiative, is targeting $100 million in funding by the 2026 FIFA World Cup. So far, more than $30 million has been raised from a mix of philanthropic organizations, corporate partners, individual donors, and proceeds from major sporting and entertainment events.
According to the organizers, the selected projects collectively reach tens of thousands of children, often in regions where fewer than 15 percent of students complete secondary school and poverty levels exceed 60 percent. The fund prioritizes programmes that integrate education, sport, and community engagement to improve learning outcomes and create pathways to opportunity.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the initiative demonstrates the broader impact of football beyond the pitch. “Football has the power to unite, inspire and create lasting change, and through the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund we are putting that power into action to invest in the future of children around the world,” he said.
Global Citizen co-founder and CEO Hugh Evans emphasized the urgency of expanding access to education in low-income settings. “For children growing up in extreme poverty, access to education is not only life-changing, it’s life-saving,” he said.
The inaugural group of grantees includes organizations from across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe, working on programmes ranging from inclusive education for children with disabilities to sports-based leadership and life-skills training.
Backers of the fund include the MetLife Foundation and Bank of America, alongside contributions from companies such as Cisco and revenues linked to major events including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. Additional funding is being mobilized through global music tours and charitable partnerships.
Applications for the second round of grants are now open to organizations worldwide working at the intersection of education and sport, with funding of up to $250,000 available.
