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A record 120 million+ people around the world have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to conflict, persecution, human rights violations and environmental disasters. To leverage sport to aid in global humanitarian efforts, Beyond Sport created the Sport Together Fund in 2022 to support sport-based development nonprofits and clubs that are assisting impacted communities through projects promoting wellbeing, inclusivity and leadership development.
In 2023, we were excited to have New Balance Foundation partner on the Fund to support organizations that are helping children and young people with refugee experiences rebuild their lives. Through the Fund, the Foundation is providing grants to five nonprofits across France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain that are nurturing inclusion, wellness and positive youth development through sport. With children making up an estimated one third to one half of refugees and migrants arriving in Europe, for the last few years, we’ve been pleased to have New Balance associates in Europe join in efforts as well!
In October, Beyond Sport Senior Programs Manager, Tarryn Horner and Community & Foundation Events Manager, Emily Belcher, joined New Balance Foundation Global Grants Manager, Paola Bethmage, New Balance EMEA Internal Communications Manager, Gareth Jenkins and New Balance Global Community Engagement and Grants Associate, Charlotte Twiss at the New Balance offices in Vigo, Spain for an inspiring employee engagement event.
Together with 40 associates, they packed 900 backpacks filled with gear and handwritten notes of encouragement for young people from the Guadassuar community who were severely impacted by last year’s floods and 6-20-year-olds from refugee and migrant communities now building their lives in Spain. In 2024, more than 707,000 people were registered in the country as refugees, asylum-seekers or stateless individuals – and a growing number of them are children.
A third of the bags were sent to Sport Together Fund grantee, Fútbol Más Spain. The nonprofit helps refugees and migrant youth in Madrid and Seville through football sessions and workshops that nurture physical and emotional health, education, life skills development and community engagement. Fútbol Más’ Elena Beltza took part in the volunteer event, leading an exercise showcasing the organization’s international ‘Green Card’ methodology.
This approach uses positive reinforcement to promote behaviors that embrace respect, responsibility, joy, creativity and teamwork. Participants typically circle up after football sessions to recognize and award each other with a ‘Green Card’ for positive actions that encourage supportive environments rather than ones based on punishment.
“Beyond Sport, the New Balance Foundation and Fútbol Más are very aligned in our goals, and above all, in our vision of sport as a tool for transformation. I left with my heart full of hope, motivation and energy, knowing there are people like you doing such spectacular work. And of course, with the great fortune of knowing that we’re on the same team,” shared Beltza.
Fútbol Más Spain also integrated their Green Card approach to the bag distribution, ensuring that the hand-over moments promoted their core values of respect, teamwork and positivity. We’re happy to report that the bags are already being used, and thank the New Balance Spain associates and New Balance Foundation for taking time to spread joy this school year!
After the event, the team shared their highlights (and some other thoughts 😀) from the day. Check it out!
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