GAME
Address: Phone: Website: E-mail:
CVR no : Founded:
BoardofDirectors:
ExecutiveManagement:
Enghavevej82D,DK-2450CopenhagenSV (+45)70208323 game ngo game@game ngo 27213308 2002
LotteMarschall,Chair MeriamKadouraLykke,ViceChair JacobBruun MadsFlarupChristensen AndrewClarke FaridFellah PhilippeFurrer LineGroes JosephineSvensson
SimonPrahm-CEO&Co-Founder IdaBrix-ExecutiveDirector,Denmark JessicaHansted-Martin-ExecutiveDirector,Finance&Administration MarieTraasdahlStaal-ExecutiveDirector,International
Auditors:
Frontpage:
Photos: Design:
Illustrations: Text:
Editorinchief:
GrantThornton,Stockholmsgade45,DK-2100Copenhagen
At GAME’s Playmaker Camp in Jordan, youth meet to build skills, confidence,andfuturestogether
Across gender and background, they come together to develop leadership,teamwork,andessentiallifeskills–takingtheirfirststeps towardinfluenceandfuturejobopportunities
With support from DAPP, GAME is building bridges between young peopleandthelabormarketintheMENAregion
Allrightsreserved MonikaKadlubcová EmilieKlintandMonikaKadlubcová MarianneHjortandIdaBrix IdaBrix
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ REPORT 2024
In 2024, GAME continued the work to enable the empowerment of youths and social change together with our strong partners. In some areas of the world, unleashing the power of youths and fostering hope for better opportunities has become more important than ever.
I would like to mention a few of our activities around the world which stand out in 2024:
GAME Greenland
We started activities in Greenland as a pilot project in 2021 in cooperation with the Sports Confederation of Greenland (GIF) and two local municipalities supporting Greenland’s ambition to become the most physically active country by 2030 GAME has been training youth leaders and role models in the pilot and held weekly street sport activities. Special focuses for our activities in Greenland are increased well-being and self-confidence among youths and creating communities where youths can feel safe to engage and speak their mind. The activities will expand to the capital city of Nuuk in 2025.
We are proud that GAME Greenland won the “Jonathan Prize” in 2024. It is a local prize carrying the name of Greenland's first and longest serving Prime Minister, Jonathan Motzfeldt GAME Greenland received the prize for quote: “creating an inspiring community where young people of Greenland get support in their development and tools to for creating positive progress in their lives”
GAME Lebanon
In 2024, the Israeli illegal attacks on Palestine and its civilian population, spread to Lebanon. While the people of Lebanon were severely hit by the Israeli military, with thousands of killed and wounded and a million people having to leave their homes, GAME Lebanon continued their efforts to foster hope and brighter futures for youths and children Team Lebanon was in daily contact with staff and volunteers who had to flee their homes, organizing help to those in need.
Some of the activities were moved to schools turned into shelter thereby providing children and youths with a safe and inclusive space to engage in sports, build friendships, and develop vital life skills like teamwork, leadership, and emotional resilience This brought a sense of normalcy to displaced children proving the transformative power of sports even during this challenging time
We are immensely happy that ceasefire was obtained in Lebanon in the last part of 2024. Looking back, our colleagues in Lebanon speak of a true GAME family feeling and sense of belonging as key to getting through the bombing and attacks in 2024
GAME in numbers
2024 became the year where GAME transcended the number of 100 GAME Zones in total, allowing more children and youths access to safe spaces for play across the 10 countries GAME is active in The first two years of our five-year strategy period with “Focusing Our GAME” is now behind us and we are seeing a good momentum with 1,335 volunteer youth leaders (45% of 2027 goal of 3,000) and 30,460 participating children and youths (30% of 2027 goal of 100,000)
GAME’s Partners
GAME has long and good partnerships experiences with Corporate Foundations representing large private companies which take their social responsibility seriously I would like to mention a few of our partners such as Novo Nordisk Foundation, Nordea-fonden, Tuborgfondet, Egmont Fonden, World Diabetes Foundation, Ole Kirk’s Fond, TrygFonden, Lauritzen Fonden and adidas Foundation
These partnerships are essential for funding GAME’s programmes aiming for increased physical activity, facilitating education in life skills and communication, and creating safe meeting places for physical communities of youths.
We also partner directly with private companies e g for the second year in a row with Deloitte Denmark and we have a number of highly valued implementing partners around the world The partnerships help to fulfil GAME’s overall purpose of creating lasting social change for children and youths in underserved communities.
We continuously work to further develop and enter into more fruitful partnerships like these. Together we will reach further and let street sports and role models do the magic of creating more social impact in society
A call for freedom, democracy and human rights
At the end of 2024, the list of global unrest is still very long, and in GAME we wish for a peaceful world for all For democracy and for freedom For people to live their lives with mutual respect and human kindness and for children and youths to play and develop.
We are deeply concerned with the situation in Gaza The ceasefire reached in the beginning of 2025 brought new hope for peace, but since then it has been breached Now everybody in the international community must do what is in their means to stop the war and protect the human rights of the Palestinian people.
The Ukrainian people are moving into their fourth year of war since the full-scale military offensive launched by Russia in beginning of 2022, and we are inspired by their strength and courage We are hoping that a sustainable peace will soon be a reality and that all their international friends will help to secure peace and rebuild Ukraine
The Danish Government has shown increasing interest in GAME’s methods the last few years. This year we are thrilled to have received the Government’s commitment to contribute to GAME’s work along with other partners in the field of street sports in Denmark The fouryear funding will advance and secure GAME’s financial sustainability significantly and provide a solid base for scaling our impact
In 2024 GAME has succeeded to demonstrate a balanced account with a small surplus of 810 € The result testifies GAME’s efforts to improve the financial sustainability In 2025 we will work dedicated on reaching our goal of strengthening our equity capital and increase our turnover leading to an increase in impact
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank all our volunteers, partners, participants, staff, and donors for their support to GAME in 2024 We look forward to continuing the work on the asphalt together
Lotte Marschall Chair of GAME
VOLUNTEEROFTHEYEAR
1,335 37%
young peoplearevolunteersinGAME ofvolunteersinGAMEareyoungwomen
AsadedicatedPlaymakerinNadhour,GAMETunisia,SkanderHamzeouiwasnamedGAME’sVolunteerof theYear2024 Inatimeofuncertainty,hehasremainedcommittedtocreatinghopeandopportunities throughstreetsportsandculture-notjustforlocalchildrenandyouth,butalsoforhimself
InSkander’sownwords:“BeforejoiningGAME,Iusedtospendmydaysoffjusthangingaround. VolunteeringwithGAMEchangedmyroutineandgavemetheopportunitytoplaysportsagain,stay active,andbefullofenergy.”
GHANA SINCE2019 TUNISIA SINCE2019
A M E R E S U L T S
JORDAN
SINCE2018
SOMALILAND SINCE2018
KENYA SINCE2022
INTRODUCTION
GAME is an innovative street sports and culture organisation, recognised as one of the world’s 150 best NGOs (#106). Since 2002, GAME has worked to create lasting social change together with youth through street sports and street culture
GAME offers training that supports young people in becoming volunteer street sports instructors and role models in their communities Through this, they are enabled to lead weekly training sessions and shape inclusive communities around them. The training focus on basic lifeskills such as team work and communication and equip youth with competences and knowledge in different areas such as conflict mediation, gender equity peace building and civic engagement
GAME creates award-winning facilities and urban spaces in close collaboration with youth and local communities In 2010, the first GAME House opened in a repurposed tram depot in Copenhagen Since then, three additional GAME Houses have opened across Denmark, and in 2023, a GAME House was inaugurated in Beirut, Lebanon
In 2024, GAME was active in ten countries across Africa, the Middle East, and the Nordics working with dedicated local partners to support young people in addressing significant barriers to their well being and future opportunities.
Ghana, Kenya and Somaliland 2024 marked the start of GAME’s new initiative in Ghana: "Bring your A-GAME" that builds on a long-standing partnership with the Ghanaian organisation DUNK (Develop Unity Nurture Knowledge) The initiative strengthens youth leadership and supports Playmakers in advocating for free, safe and inclusive spaces for underserved children and youth
In Kenya, GAME collaborates with MIDRIFT HURINET to prevent ethnic and political conflict Local youth are supported through the Playmaker Programme to grow as community leaders, gaining skills in mediation, youth leadership, violence prevention, mental health, and peer support.
In Somaliland GAME collaborates with our close local partner SCORE Together we empower youth - including young women to use their voice and take leadership in peace building, climate awareness and adaptation with a special focus on IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) communities.
Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia
In Tunisia and Jordan, GAME and our partners work with young people to nurture resilience, leadership, and opportunity in contexts marked by high unemployment and economic instability Local Playmakers create spaces that support skill development, community connection, and hope
In Lebanon, GAME's work has continued through extremely difficult
circumstances In 2024, as the war-attacks by Israel affected large parts of the country, many children and young people were displaced GAME Lebanon responded by relocating activities to schools used as shelters, providing safe spaces for play, community, and psychosocial support Staff and volunteers stayed connected with each other and participants, ensuring continued care and solidarity. The construction of the GAME House Beirut became a symbol of what youth can build, even in crisis It stands as a community platform for learning, creativity and belonging co-created with local youth.
Denmark, Greenland and Norway
In Denmark, GAME operates four GAME Houses across the country and several projects and initiatives that focus on physical activity, inclusion, mental health, and reducing inequality that deliver measurable positive outcomes for both participants and volunteers
In Greenland, GAME is working with GIF (Sports Confederation of Greenland) and the pilot programme has grown into a sustainable model. The youth that has taken part in the design processes carried out during the project period identified a need for new ways of creating safe and robust youth communities and spaces with a special focus on well-being.
In 2024, the programme was honoured with the Jonathan Prize for its role in youth empowerment.
In Norway, plans are moving forward to establish a GAME House in Arendal, co-developed with local communities. The focus is on creating inclusive platforms for self-expression and youth leadership
Ukraine
Despite ongoing war-attacks by Russia, youth in Ukraine remain active in their communities Throughout the war GAME has supported our partner Street Culture in their work, providing emergency assistance and shelter for displaces families in Ukraine In 2024 we have together taken new steps to move beyond humanitarian assistance and train Playmakers who can ensure that even during crisis, youthled street sports activities continue to bring connection and strength to affected communities
Reaching New Heights
2024 marked a powerful milestone in GAME’s strategic journey We now count over 100 active GAME Zones across 10 countries each one a space where children and youth meet, move, and lead.
With 1,335 youth leaders engaged and 30,460 children and young people participating in activities, we are building real momentum. Behind every number is a story of community, courage, and change
As we cross this threshold, the path ahead is clear: to scale impact, deepen inclusion, and continue co-creating safe, vibrant spaces with youth on their terms, in their communities
HOWDOWECREATE SOCIALCHANGE?
Genderequality
Sustainablecommunitie
Democracy
Creatingpartnerships
Otherlocalsustainabilit
SOCIALLIFESKILLS
Teamwork
Trust
Leadership
Empathy
Effectivecommunicatio
Problem-solving
INDIVIDUALLIFESKILLS
Creativethinking
Criticalthinking
Self-awareness(physicalandmental)
Copingwithstressandemotions
Reflectivedecision-making
COMMUNITY
OCIALLIFESKILLS
VIDUALLIFESK
GAMEEMPOWERMENTMODEL LIFE SKILLS
All GAME initiatives are based on enabling children and young people's strengths and opportunities We call this empowerment
Empowerment goes hand in hand with youth engagement When young people feel empowered, they have the confidence, capacity and motivation to take action and create change for themselves and others
However, empowerment is not just about individuals; it's about building up communities and the collective capacity to take action Thus, empowerment manifests at the individual, social and community levels, and the premise is that empowerment at one level can catalyse change at other levels
One example is the Playmaker programme, where GAME offers young people training as volunteer street sports instructors and role models. The Playmakers then use their training to create inclusive and active communities for children in at-risk areas
This gives both children and youth skills to navigate through changes, challenges and opportunities in their daily lives, beyond GAME and in society in general
Esra Sari-Kahia and Jasmin Adnan Meki Mohammed are Playmak- ers and they explain it this way:
"One of the things we learn from being Playmakers is to take responsibility We have been GAME Zone children ourselves, and back then it was someone else who took responsibility for us. But now that we are Playmakers ourselves, the roles are reversed It's a really big thing for us and it gives us a lot of competences It makes us proud ”
The life skills we work with at the first two levels of the empowerment model are personal competencies that support children and youth in engaging constructively with themselves and with others. Life skills are built over time, and as children and young people gain experience in these first two levels, they become better equipped to actively engage in the third level of empowerment: their wider society. This includes contributing to gender equality, democracy, health, and social change
INDIVIDUAL LEVEL
At the individual level, young people in GAME develop individual skills such as creative and critical thinking, physical and mental selfawareness and self-confidence
SOCIAL LEVEL
At the group level, young people in GAME gain skills in teamwork, leadership, effective communication and problem solving
COMMUNITY LEVEL
The community level enables and supports spaces where young people in GAME engage and create positive and sustainable change in their local communities and society in general
Learnings
GAME’s empowerment approach and focus on life skills support long-term impact 71% of Playmakers who facilitated sessions in Lebanon report feeling more confident in their own abilities, and 70% developed stronger problem-solving skills through their participation in a STEM project In Kenya, the impact also reaches children directly: 93% feel they are contributing to a peaceful community, and 90% report improved communication skills through their involvement in the GAME Zone
71%
ofPlaymakerswhotrainedchildreninthe STEMandStreetSportsCurriculumreport feelingmoreconfidentintheirabilities.
93%
ofchildrenparticipatinginthePlaymaker ProgrammeinKenyafeelthat,aspartofthe GAMEZone,theycontributetocreatinga peacefulneighborhood.
70%
ofPlaymakersparticipatinginaSTEMproject inLebanonreportthattheyhavedeveloped problem-solvingskills.
90%
ofchildrenparticipatinginthePlaymaker ProgrammeinKenyafeelconfidentintheirverbal andnon-verbalcommunicationskillswhen interactingwithpeersintheGAMEZone.
ChildrenandPlaymakerswrapup2024intheirGAMEZonesbyattendingtheannualGAMEFinalsin Tunisia–withavarietyofmusic,community,play,andcompetences
GAMETRANSFORMSUNUSED BUILDINGSINTOAWARDWINNINGFACILITIES
GAME has more than 15 years of experience in transforming old, industrial or unused buildings into innovative facilities The goal is for street sports and street culture to be accessible to everyone - in flexible, creative and inclusive spaces
Here, children and youth can meet and participate in various activities and thus strengthen the communities around street sports and street culture Involvement of youth, local communities and associations is an important part in the creation and development of GAME’s facilities
In 2023, we successfully started the establishment of a GAME House in Beirut Through a great effort from the GAME Lebanon team the design and construction of the facility has continued throughout 2024 despite of the war and soon the doors will open to the full scale
Streetartismorethanjustcolorfulwalls–it’sawaytoexpressyourself,buildidentity,andgive youngpeopleavoiceinurbanspaces.
PEACEBUILDING:FROM CONFLICTTOCONNECTION
In communities where division and conflict are part of daily life, GAME uses youth-led street sports and life skills as powerful tools to build trust and connection across lines of difference.
In Somaliland, efforts are helping build a culture of dialogue and mutual understanding Young people from different clans have participated in Playmaker Camps and community forums to promote peaceful engagement in the 2024 elections.
“As a Playmaker, I actively participated because I believe in the importance of grassroots involvement in fostering peace By walking together, we sent a strong message that despite our differences, we can choose the path of peace, collaboration, and mutual respect for the development of our communities,” says one of the Playmakers attending a peace walk
Across these countries, GAME has equipped young leaders with skills in conflict resolution, leadership, and community organising,
Aspartofthe“CoolandSafeZone”projectinLebanon,localyouthhelpedco-designan eco-friendlyGAMEHouseBeirutbysharingideasonhowtoreduceheat,addgreenery, andpromotesustainability turningclimateactionintocommunityaction
Across the globe, the climate crisis is not a distant threat - it’s already shaping young people’s daily lives. In GAME, we believe that young people must be at the centre of the response That’s why we’re supporting the training of a new generation of youth climate leaders in some of the world’s most climate-affected areas.
From heatwaves to droughts, young people living in some of the world’s most vulnerable areas are taking action against the effects of climate change.
In Somaliland, GAME has in partnership with CISU trained local youth to document the everyday impacts of a changing climate in IDP (internally displaced persons) camps
These Climate Ambassadors gather community knowledge through CVCA (Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis) and help translate it into solutions and local advocacy
Youth are not only collecting data, but also leading the conversations. Through workshops, games and creative awareness activities like the popular "plastic bottle drill," which asks children to think about where waste ends up, young people are creating a culture of environmental awareness The initiative also trains youth in advocacy, equipping them to take their message to peers and decision-makers alike
In Lebanon, climate awareness is being built into the very infrastructure of youth spaces. At the GAME House in Beirut and in the GAME Zones, heat isolating panels, tree planting, and green zones are being used to cool down public space and improve air quality
Local Playmakers, trained as Climate Ambassadors, have also led community drills and social media campaigns to mobilise their neighborhoods around sustainability
This work is part of the Cool and Safe Zone initiative, funded by Common Goal and adidas through the ‘Move for the Planet’ campaign The project’s goal is not just to improve infrastructureit’s to raise awareness, educate children about sustainability, and equip young people to become Climate Ambassadors in their communities
The knowledge collected during the co-creation workshops will feed directly into the development of a new environmental and sustainability curriculum, using street sports to teach children about climate change in fun, engaging ways.
Together, these projects show what happens when young people are empowered - not only to adapt to climate change, but to lead the way toward greener, more resilient communities.
SAFESPACES:YOUTH-LEDHUBS FORCONNECTION,CREATIVITY ANDCHANGE
Across cities and continents, young people are facing a shared challenge: a lack of inclusive, accessible spaces where they can feel safe, seen, and supported. In many urban areas, public space is either scarce or not designed with youth in mind
GAME’s response is rooted in co-creation: building youth-led urban spaces where sport, street culture, and civic engagement come together These hubs are more than physical structures they are platforms for community, empowerment, and belonging
In Beirut in Lebanon, where only 0.5% of the city’s land is public space, the new GAME House offers a rare safe haven With green zones and heat isolating panels, the facility provides space for young people to gather, play, and lead – while also responding to urgent environmental needs.
In Nairobi in Kenya, a Street Hub is taking shape in collaboration with local youth It will become a vital space for expression and organising in a city where access to safe public space is limited and where youth are demanding a stronger voice in shaping their surroundings
In Norway, plans are underway for a GAME House that adapts the model to a Norwegian context, showing that the need for youthdesigned space transcends borders.
In Denmark, the five-year MORESTREET initiative is creating Street Hubs in cities across the country Built in partnership with municipalities, architects, and young people themselves, each hub strengthens local street culture and provides new opportunities for creativity, movement, and community
And in Ukraine, GAME teamed in 2024 up with the local organisation Street Culture, the architectural NGO Urban Reform, and Danish EFFEKT Architects and Gehl to transform public spaces into safe hubs for street sports and cultural activities The goal was to support the psychosocial health of youth in Ukraine and to help rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure and spirit
Together, these projects represent a global movement: spaces where young people are not only welcome - they lead
Whether in Beirut, Nairobi, Arendal, Lviv or Kolding, GAME’s hubs are growing into meeting points where youth can build stronger futuresfor themselves and for their cities
EMPLOYABILITY:BUILDING BRIDGESTOTHEFUTURE
Across the MENA region, youth unemployment is alarmingly high In Jordan, nearly 40% of young people are without work, while in Tunisia the number climbs even higher to 41%. Behind these figures are structural barriers - from a lack of professional guidance to limited opportunities for skill-building and job experience.
GAME, in partnership with the Danish-Arab Partnership Programme (DAPP), is working to change that by transforming the Playmaker Programme into a pathway to employment
In Jordan and Tunisia, the programme has been reimagined to support youth with the life skills, technical tools, and entrepreneurial mindset they need to succeed in a competitive labor market
The journey begins with Playmaker Training, where youth are trained using GAME’s adapted Playmaker curriculum, with a strong focus on employment skills They learn leadership, teamwork, communication, event and project planning, coaching, and problemsolving. Key competencies that will prepare them for the job market.
By anchoring the training in youth-led initiatives, the programme keeps participants engaged and better prepared for the future
“For me, one of the biggest challenges facing young people in Tunisia is the lack of professional guidance and support Many youth don’t
even know their own competencies or potential - even though Tunisian youth are creative and think outside the box,” says Mohamed Néji Kasraoui, Playmaker and Board Representative in GAME Tunisia.
To address this gap, GAME Tunisia is involving young people directly in shaping the curriculum to reflect the competencies they value and the futures they aspire to. This includes a focus on entrepreneurship, community-driven job creation, and exposure to real-world career paths
The programme is also building bridges to the job market through partnerships with local employers, internships, and hands-on learning In Jordan, these efforts are opening up new pathways into both formal employment and community-based initiatives
The “Ready for Tomorrow” programme has been well received by participants in Jordan One of them shared:
“Participating in the ‘Ready for Tomorrow’ programme has been a transformative experience for me The programme provided me with cutting-edge skills and insights into emerging industry trends, which have significantly boosted my confidence and career prospects The hands-on approach and practical training were particularly beneficial enabling me to apply what I learned in real-world scenarios ”
GENDEREQUITY:CHANGINGTHE GAMEFORGIRLS
Women and girls around the world face persistent barriers to participation - in society, in leadership, and in sport From household responsibilities to social norms and safety concerns, gender inequality limits girls' opportunities to move freely, make d i i d h th i f t
In Ghana, tailored girl-only activities in a newly refurbished GAME Zone, provides a safe, inclusive space to practice - building confidence, friendship, and pathways into leadership I J d d L b t ki l d hi l
I
EIGHTPRINCIPLES OFINCLUSION
Bewelcoming-createawelcomingenvironment
BeReliable-showdedicationandconsistency
Besupportive-buildtrustandrelationships
Besocial-encouragefunandfriendship
Beadaptable-offersomethingforeveryone
Beencouraging-providedifferentopportunitiestogrow
Beinclusive-focusonparticipation
Becollaborative-shareownership
Creating inclusive sports activities starts with fostering an environment where all participants feel valued and that they belong. Their experience are what matter most, so stay curious and attentive to their feedback it’s the best tool for improving activities, organization, and communication
GAME’SPARTICIPATORYDESIGNPRINCIPLES
Innovation is a cornerstone of GAME’s way of working using methods from what is called ‘Human Centred Design’ – an approach to design that invites all stakeholders and users into the design process.
GAME volunteers, children, parents and collaborators participate in workshops, interviews, observations, feedback sessions and tests, and contribute with significant inputs for developing new concepts and methods This allows us to continuously improve our concepts and methods and to excel in delivering social impact and lowering the threshold to physical activity.
EARTOTHE ASPHALT
PLAY WITH IDEAS
The way to create innovative solutions is to understand the needs and dreams of those who will use the solutions when created: in this case, children and youth
Here it is all about coming up with as many new, weird, different ideas as possible The most important thing is to play with the ideas, turn them upside down and build on others’ ideas
TESTAND RETRY
Try the ideas out, make mistakes and try again Spend as little time as possible behind a desk. New ideas must be tested quickly on a small scale to find out how they work in reality.
TAKEIT TOTHE STREETS
New, great ideas need to be brought to life and implemented in reality. This requires planning of the rollout and considerations such as time, resources, stakeholders, the local context and GAME’s methodology
CREATE SOCIAL CHANGE
The last and most important principle is to ensure that the idea actually brings about the social change that it was put in the world to create. We do this through evaluation and learning methods
GAME'S FACILITIES AND PROGRAMMES ARE DESIGNED TOGETHER WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH
CREATESOCIAL
GAME’S PARTICIPATORY DESIGN
PRINCIPLES
TAK
THESTREETS
PLAYWITH IDEAS
TESTAND RETRY
MusicisanimportantpartofstreetcultureandGAME HereTinaNguyentookthestageataDanish FestivalaspartofGAME’sUrbanMusicSchool.In2024,around40%oftheyoungDJsandartistsinthe programmeperformedlive,manyfortheveryfirsttime
*GAME House Copenhagen and GAME Norway operate as separate legal entities and are therefore outlined alongside to GAME ‘s Financial Statement
GAMEINNUMBERS
THANKYOU
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