Integrated Dreams, a Portuguese NGO working to boost integration and foster inclusion, development and education, has launched an ambitious programme to promote the employment of people with disabilities in football.

According to Integrated Dreams, "the social and professional integration of disabled people is an oft-discussed topic in contemporary society. Narrowing the vision to the European continent, the European Disability Forum states that there are currently more than 80 million disabled people living in the European Union (15% of Europe's population)."

"With these numbers in mind, and with football's role as a leader in global sport, it was developed the "Football for All Leadership Programme. The aim is to educate, develop and integrate the underrepresented global population of people with disabilities into the world of football leadership."

The programme will focus on developing management skills, enhancing football knowledge, improving leadership potential and promoting overall personal development through three courses in three European countries. It has partnered with three leading universities – Trinity College Dublin, Nova University of Lisbon and the IUN Football Management Institute – to offer the courses from October to December 2018, followed by a project management period and leading to graduation in July 2019.  

Applications for the programme are open until August 31st.

 

The Football for All Leadership Programme also has the support of some top football organizations such as the Portuguese FA, the FAI, the IFA and SL Benfica, and is endorsed by programme ambassadors Joyce Cook, Chief Member Associations Officer at FIFA, Fernando Santos, head coach of the Portuguese national team, and the Portuguese player Pepe.