EduFootball for Foundational Learning and Youth Development in Côte d'Ivoire

EduFootball for Foundational Learning and Youth Development in Côte d’Ivoire is an initiative led by Safe-Hub Côte d’Ivoire to support children and young people through a structured combination of sport, life skills education, foundational learning, mentorship and community engagement.

Safe-Hub is a holistic youth and community development model designed to create physically and emotionally safe spaces where young people can access opportunities, support services, positive role models and structured programmes. In Côte d’Ivoire, the EduFootball initiative adapts this model to the local context by using football as an entry point to improve learning motivation, personal development, social inclusion and school engagement.

The programme targets young people from underserved communities, particularly in Yopougon, where many adolescents face barriers linked to limited access to safe recreational spaces, low confidence, social pressure, educational difficulties and lack of structured after-school support. Through regular sessions, participants engage in football activities connected to educational workshops and guided reflection moments. Each session combines movement, teamwork and discussion to help participants develop practical skills that support both learning and life outcomes.

The initiative contributes to foundational learning by reinforcing essential competencies such as communication, self-expression, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, emotional regulation, discipline and goal setting. These skills are crucial for young people to remain engaged in education, improve their confidence, and better navigate school, family and community environments.

The EduFootball approach also promotes inclusion and gender equality. Girls and boys participate in safe, structured and supportive activities that encourage mutual respect, leadership, cooperation and positive relationships. Coaches serve as mentors and role models, creating a learning environment where young people feel listened to, valued and encouraged to express themselves.

Safe-Hub Côte d’Ivoire has piloted EduFootball in schools and community settings, with structured monitoring and evaluation tools including participant feedback, coach observations and session evaluations. The initiative has demonstrated strong potential to improve youth engagement, confidence, behaviour, teamwork and life skills.

Moving forward, Safe-Hub Côte d’Ivoire aims to scale this approach through schools, community spaces and future Safe-Hub sites, while strengthening partnerships with education actors, sport organizations, civil society, public institutions and development partners. The long-term vision is to position sport-based learning as a practical and scalable pathway to improve foundational learning, inclusion and youth development in Côte d’Ivoire.