Ndembo Ligue: Football for education and social cohesion in DRC

Project supported by Ligue NDEMBO

"Ligue NDEMBO" is a social structure based in Kinshasa aimed at promoting basic football with a particular focus on education, coaching and strengthening social values. Its mission is to ensure a professional platform that facilitates the development of young athletes from different social levels.

Ndembo League is an annual football championship initiated in 2019 in the district of Lukunga in DR Congo for the promotion of education and social cohesion. Dedicated to young people under the age of 7 to 13, this championship is a national and continental project starting in Kinshasa.

Context

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country with a relatively young population (48% of the population is under 15 and 67% is under 25). This vulnerable fringe faces various challenges related to education (nearly 3.1 million children out of school in 2018 according to UNICEF), the deficit in basic infrastructures, socio-cultural barriers and other vulnerabilities such as early marriages and pregnancies. To this is added a complex socio-economic context impacted by social crises. By using the power of football, the Ndembo League is positioning itself as a key player in both the education and social inclusion of vulnerable young people.

Goals

Improve the educational and soccer level of children through a championship in each district of the city of Kinshasa
Create a social platform for children of all backgrounds to have the same opportunities and break the inferiority complex
Facilitate access to basic football equipment for children and the detection of young talent
Raise awareness of educational challenges, socio-cultural barriers and other vulnerabilities such as early marriage and pregnancy

Activities

Development of a football championship (mini-match format of -50 minutes) dedicated to young people (boys and girls) aged 7 to 13 years
Reinforcement course and assessment test in mathematics and French for youth
Development of an economic model to ensure the financial autonomy of the championship
Setting up a platform for discussion and exchange on the challenges and vulnerabilities of young people
Awareness sessions on the dangers of socio-cultural barriers and other vulnerabilities that may affect the development and well-being of youth

Impacts

42 teams participated in the first edition of the championship in 2019 (30 from schools and 12 from football clubs)
503 youth including 224 girls from Tobongisa High School participated in the 2019 championship
196 games held in 2019, 78 medical interventions
More than 20 jobs created during the first edition of the championship
4 districts of Kinshasa will be covered with more than 100 jobs created by 2025

Funding

The total budget for the project is estimated to c.€156,000 or USD 189,500 (mainly development costs of the championship, acquisition costs of equipment, personnel costs, etc).