Before I jump into all the fantastic things that took place in 2023, I should probably introduce myself. Hi, I’m Hala.

In August 2022, I joined Skateistan as Deputy Executive Director, with the aim of bringing my expertise in programmatic leadership to Skateistan. I wanted to be a positive role model for staff and students in my position as a woman from the Global South. In 2023, Skateistan became a women-led NGO, with me stepping into a co-executive directorship with Oliver Percovich, our Founder. This was a big change, both personally and for the organization. But it was far from the only change Skateistan underwent in 2023.

It was a turbulent year. Living through the residual effects of the pandemic, the considerable impact of the regime change in Afghanistan, and structural and personnel changes at all levels of our organization, we had to adapt. This meant reconsidering how we both fund our programs and initiate them.

With our expansion project already underway in 2022, Skateistan finally formalized a programmatic partnership model called Skateistan In A Box (SIAB). It’s aim? To mobilize funding, resources, knowledge, and more for grassroots and established organizations all around the world. Knowing that every community is different, each of the 13 partnerships (running programs in more than 20 locations worldwide) we engaged with over 2023 was bespoke and unique to the partner’s needs.

With a new impact model, we needed funding streams that could facilitate this agility and responsiveness. In addition to our long-term partnerships, Skateistan has shifted towards searching for unrestricted, high-level funding from longer-term partners, meaning that we can mobilize and distribute resources in an agile and responsive manner without sacrificing sustainability. I’m proud to say that over the past year, our fundraising & comms teams took considerable steps towards this goal.

It’s been quite a year for the Goodpush Alliance as well, Skateistan’s global network for social skate projects around the world. We’re now connected with almost 800 initiatives that have access to our e-courses and Goodpush library. We selected a new cohort of ROLL Models – women and non-binary skateboard leaders – who came together in Berlin to learn from one another and share the love of skateboarding. We also coordinated another successful round of Pushing Against Racism grantees that actively promote diversity and inclusion in skating around the world.

And, as some of you may have noticed, Skateistan had a bit of a makeover this year. With a new creative vision, our brand identity, tone of voice, and content strategy were overhauled, culminating in a successful end-of-year funding drive fronted by our dear friend Tony Hawk. ‘The World on Board’ is our brand message as we head into 2024 and to the Paris Olympic Games.

It’s been a wild year, but one which has left Skateistan stronger and more robust. I couldn’t be more excited for our future, and doing whatever it takes to bring the world on board.

Atlantis, Bamyan, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, East London, El Alto, Gothenburg, Johannesburg, Kabul, Kibera, La Paz, Mazar-e-Sharif, Phnom Penh, Stockholm, Sulaymaniyah, Tehran, Tembisa, Tirana, Viacha, Zarqa

Our end-of-year fundraiser. A movement for at-risk youth everywhere to have access to the spaces and resources they need to learn, play & shape their futures. After a 6-week campaign, fronted by our dear friend Tony Hawk, we are stoked to announce we raised $343,693.

Co-Executive Director Oliver Percovich, was awarded the Jürgen Palm Award for individuals who have made a significant and long-term contribution to the field of International Sport for All and Physical Activity (SAPA) in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Skate in-game, to help kids in real life. This gaming campaign was awarded 1 Bronze and 1 Shortlist at The Gerety Awards, 1st Place at the SoMo Tech Awards and 1st at the SEMPL Award for the ‘Best Use of the Digital World’. Thanks to the incredible #PlayForSkateistan team at DDB Berlin.

Huck Magazine

LLB Online

The Brussels Time

The Star Phoenix

Campaign video

Programs running in 2023

Fabira*, a young girl from Afghanistan, was working as a cleaner in a doctor’s office to support her family. She had begged her mum to let her go to school but her family didn’t have the financial resources to let her. When Fariba heard about Skateistan, she was ecstatic, she walked a two-hour round trip just to collect her ID card for enrolment – she was stepping into a new chapter of her life.

Initially, the progress was gradual, but by the time Fabira reached the third grade, her learning pace accelerated significantly. In the past, her height had been a source of concern, but with the regular meals provided by Skateistan and engaging in activities like volleyball at school, Fabira found pleasure in her body and her surrounding.

*Student’s name has been changed in line with our Child Protection Policy.

As the days turned into months, and the months into years, Fabira harnessed this newfound positivity. One day, a school educator asked her:

‘’What did she aspire to achieve?’’

The answer was simple:

she wanted to learn how to make clothes so she could create her own designs.

Fabira signed up to our tailoring classes and after six months, she possessed the prowess to do just that. Our team in Bamyan provided Fariba and her mother with a sewing machine so she could dive into the world of sewing, and with that she was off!

Fabira’s mother is incredibly proud to see her daughter blossom into a confident, empowered young woman and a skilled seamstress - her story is a testament to the power of determination and the transformative potential of unwavering support.

Programs running in 2023

Our Dropping In program has seen a major shift in students’ attitude towards education. Whilst homework can often feel laborious, by introducing fun educational activities as a way of gamifying learning, we saw many of our students were more engaged and happy to spend the extra time discovering their subjects. This coupled with the nutritional program, where children received a meal at the skate school, our Johannesburg location has become an environment where students are enabled to concentrate and learn.

*Student’s name has been changed in line with our Child Protection Policy.

In 2019, Karabo's life took a new turn as she joined Skateistan South Africa. Here, she found herself enveloped by a community that encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone. Skateistan became her refuge, a place where her spirits soared, where she eagerly anticipated the opportunity to escape the confines of school and immerse herself in a world of possibilities.

"I couldn't wait to get out of school to come to Skateistan. And I didn't want to leave at home-time."

According to Karabo's mother, her daughter had always been a dreamer. However, it was within the walls of Skateistan that her dreams grew wings, expanding far beyond her own imagination. The programs she engaged in added layers of skills, knowledge, and insight to her already vibrant spirit.

"While she's always been a big dreamer from a young age, Skateistan amplified her dreams. They built upon her existing aspirations."

The skills Karabo acquired during her time at Skateistan became valuable life tools. Patience and the ability to view situations from different perspectives enhanced her interactions, both personally and professionally. This transformation spurred her to give back, creating a haven of understanding and candid conversations for others – a safe space where they could navigate challenges, just as she had. According to Karabo, Skateistan is changing mindsets for the better, always encouraging her to be a better person.

"I became a volunteer because I wanted to give back to the same place that felt like a safe space for me. I also wanted to be a part of creating a safe space for other students."

Programs running in 2023

*Student’s name has been changed in line with our Child Protection Policy.

Caitlin is 10 years old and lives in Dura Flats in Atlantis on South Africa’s Western Cape. The area is predominantly known for its high levels of gang-related violence. Due to the location of Caitlin’s school, she had to walk to and from school alone: “I have had to run away from gunfire three times,” Caitlin remembers. The insecurity of the area left Caitlin scared and meant she mainly played indoors. She often felt bored at home and felt there was little to do.

Caitlin joined Skateistan in January 2022, because she wanted to learn how to draw. By providing her with art supplies and positive feedback, the Skate and Create team encourage her creativity.

In fact, Caitlin has now inspired her two cousins and her sister to participate in the program. She now feels much more comfortable walking to and from their home and class.

‘’Coming to Skateistan makes me feel happy, there are many fun activities for me to do here. I am never bored when I am at Skateistan.’’

Programs running in 2023

*Student’s name has been changed in line with our Child Protection Policy.

Rozana is 24 years old. She is cognitively disabled. Today, she is living with 17 other children in the center of KSH, while her parents are living far away for work. While living in the center, the children are always helping each other and responsible for their own daily work in the center.

Rozana was a shy girl who sometimes expressed her feelings of sadness or anger by shouting at others. Her disability makes it difficult for her to see well.

In 2019, Rozana joined our Skate and Create program. At first, she often fell because she couldn't see. With the support of Skateistan’s educators, she learned to stand on a board by herself.

‘’I want to know how to skate and be able to skate by myself, and I will never give it up”, says Rozana. And educators have observed that she is expressing sadness and anger in a much healthier way. Years later, Rozana now assists educators during class, sharing her experiences with others so that they can overcome their own challenges too.’’

SIAB is an international programs partnership model which mobilizes funding, resources, knowledge and more for grassroots and established organizations all around the world. Each partnership is bespoke and unique to our partner’s needs.

In 2023, our SIAB partners continued to implement skateboarding and educational programs, taking our overall location count up to 21! Our goal is to expand our SIAB project to over 50 locations by 2027, utilizing the Skateistan in a Box modular support model, often in collaboration with a local project. This could include a shipping-container classroom, a mobile skatepark, syllabuses or simply financial aid. We are working to bring skateboarding to the world, one push at a time.

The Goodpush Alliance is an initiative by Skateistan to support and share knowledge among social skateboarding projects worldwide, so that we can make a bigger impact together. Goodpush offers training and advice to grassroots and established skateboarding projects via online resources, workshops, support calls and awards.

• Throughout the year, the Goodpush Alliance directly supported 72 unique social skate projects/organizations based in 34 countries.
  

• In 2023, the Goodpush Alliance directly supported 500 individuals involved in social skateboarding projects worldwide.
  

• The number of children and youth benefitting from Goodpush-supported organizations in 2023 was an estimated 9,482 indirect participants.
  

• 12 Pushing Against Racism Fund grantees
• $15,000 awarded across 12 countries, selected by an expert Jury
  
• Projects include: skatepark and Afro museum educational trips in Brazil; employment of first local skate coaches and program managers in Timor and Papua New Guinea; women and queer-led meet-ups in Nigeria; creative workshops for indigenous Mexican youth.
  

• 15 ROLL Models selected from across Europe
• €35,000 in seed grants awarded
  
• 18 women and non-binary skaters joined the 5-day Leadership Camp in Berlin
  

• 12 members organizations based in Europe, Asia, South America and North America
• Monthly calls to share best practices and challenges of skate programs serving displaced youth
  
• Designing a collaborative creative project focusing on fostering togetherness and belonging in skateboarding environments for displaced youth
  

Transparency

Where do our funds come from?

In spite of the strong decline in government funding following the events in Afghanistan during 2021 and the economic downturn in 2022 and 2023, Skateistan was still able to raise 2.1M USD in 2023 to ensure at-risk youth there can have the spaces they need to learn, play and shape their futures.

However, with all the global changes in recent years, funding remains a challenge that Skateistan is mindful of and now tackles via more diverse means.

Financial Sustainability

By building diverse and sustainable streams of income we can remain as flexible and responsive as possible to meet the needs of the communities we serve.

Ca. 50% of Skateistan’s income in 2023 came from multi-year foundation grants, 25% from individual giving and 25% from corporate sponsorships.

The World on Board campaign raised $343,693 in unrestricted funding that can be assigned to where it is needed most and ensure that at-risk youth can learn, play and shape their futures.

Skateistan developed The Fountain - an exclusive giving program for multi-year donors at the $1M+ level. Our first Fountain member, Nike Made to Play Foundation, will support us with $250k/year until 2026.

In 2023 we identified and applied for 18 grants that we felt aligned best with our mission - we secured 12 at a 66% success rate - totalling 1.8M in project funding.

Additionally, we have $1.9M in pending funding for 2024 with an estimate of $1.3M that we are likely to receive.

Be That Girl Foundation

CHPO Brand

Citizens of Skateistan

Deutsche Postcode Lotterie

Doodah Skateshops CH

F+B Mancia

Fondation CHANEL

GIFT Foundation

Google Giving Week

Grant Family Foundation

InMaat Foundation

Laureus Sport for Good Foundation

Laureus Sport for Good Foundation South Africa

Lenovo Foundation

Mercedes Benz South Africa

New Line Skateparks

Nike Made to Play

Play International

Resin8 Skate

Shining Pictures

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

The Skatepark Project

Ursimone Wietlisbach Foundation

VF Foundation

Vans

Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation

Vitalogy Foundation

Women Win

(Members as of report creation date – Aug 2023)

Telephone Number

+49 (0)30 - 6287 6421

E-Mail

info@skateistan.org

Skateistan gGmbH

Oppelnerstraße 29

10997 Berlin

Vertreten durch:

Oliver Percovich

Hala Khalaf

Registereintrag:

Eingetragen im Handelsregister.

Registergericht: Amtsgericht Charlottenburg

Registernummer: HRB 143259 B

Umsatzsteuer-ID:

Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer nach §27a Umsatzsteuergesetz:

DE284612570

Bankverbindung:

DE14100400000138068200

BIC COBADEFFXXX

Verantwortlich für den Inhalt (gem. § 55 Abs. 2 RStV):

Oliver Percovich

Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us.

Please find the full privacy policy here.

skateistan.org