ISF Cambodia (ISF) is a Cambodian NGO with over 13 years of experience using education and sport to change lives. In Cambodia, less than 5% of youth will finish high school, due to the poverty they face. This means that not only are they deprived of their childhood, they miss out on an education and vital life skills that are taught through peer interaction and play. Through their Education Programme, Football Programme and Community Development Projects, they are supporting those most in need to build a brighter future. Their award-winning Football Programme increases access to sports, builds life skills, and improves the quality of life for underprivileged youth in poor urban and rural communities across Cambodia. 

ISF’s Playing for the Future Project seeks to interrupt the cycle of poverty and disadvantage by enhancing youth’s employability in Phnom Penh through professional development and football-for-good activities. This project supports 24 youth role models (YRMs) to deliver soft-skill and social awareness-focused football and physical education (PE) sessions to 134 students aged 8-15 in ISF’s Catch-up Education Programme. Currently enrolled in ISF’s Education Programme, the YRMs are selected based on their school attendance, performance and attitudes and are believed to be excellent role models and mentors for other children and youth. Through personalised training from ISF’s experienced football coaches, YRMs will learn how to lead football-for-good sessions– an opportunity that will allow them to develop essential soft skills, such as leadership, decision making and teamwork. Through this leadership role, they will learn essential transferable skills and be better equipped for the world of employment.