When we think about those leading sustainable development, we tend to picture NGOs, governments, city authorities or major corporations. But new research emerging from the United Nations Football for the Goals initiative is highlighting a less obvious actor – grassroots football. At the end of this month, a cross-continent Citizen Science project documenting how local football organisations contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in practical, everyday ways will complete its data-gathering process. Far from being simply spaces of leisure, these clubs are beginning to look more like informal civic institutions – places where environmental awareness, youth leadership, education, wellbeing and community resilience are built into daily activities. The approach has been simple – coaches, volunteers and club leaders across several countries recorded their work, challenges and environmental observations, creating a shared evidence base. The result is a growing picture of football as social infrastructure and a clearer understanding of how sport already contributes to the 2030 Agenda, often without formal recognition or funding.

Here is a snapshot of some of the clubs involved:

Leicester Nirvana FC: Representation, Equity and Climate Awareness

Leicester Nirvana in the UK has long been recognised for widening participation in British football. But its work now extends further, linking inclusion with climate awareness and civic engagement. The club runs community clean-ups and learning sessions on issues such as air pollution and climate justice, while partnerships with Leicester City FC and Sport England strengthen policy engagement and programme delivery. Crucially, governance is community-led. Leadership pathways are developed for young people who are historically under-represented in the game. Taken together, this demonstrates how inclusion, environmental awareness and sporting opportunity can be structured within the same organisation.

SG Eintracht Peitz: A Rural Model for Sustainable Sport

In Germany, SG Eintracht Peitz is embedding sustainability across operations. That includes greener facilities, community climate engagement and a strong focus on youth development. The club operates in a rural region undergoing economic transition, so its work has particular relevance for communities navigating the shift toward low-carbon economies. Financial pressure remains a major constraint. But Peitz shows how even small organisations can operationalise sustainability principles in ways that are visible and practical.

Vijana Amani Pamoja: Football as Urban Engagement

In Nairobi, Vijana Amani Pamoja (VAP) uses football as a platform to connect young people with public health education, entrepreneurship and environmental awareness. Plastic recycling initiatives, climate workshops and youth-led governance ensure that sustainability is not an add-on, but part of everyday activity. The club is now exploring solar energy to reduce costs and emissions. It is a clear example of how sport can operate as a contact point for broader development initiatives in dense urban settings.

Balamu Football Academy: Low-Cost Innovation in Uganda

Balamu Football Academy shows what can be achieved with minimal resources. The club has introduced energy-efficient mud stoves, promotes indigenous knowledge and is developing plans for a sustainability centre to support local learning. Parents and community volunteers play an active role. Participation levels remain high despite economic pressures. This creates a strong sense of ownership and demonstrates that effective sustainability work does not always rely on high-tech interventions.

North Wales Dragons: Social Value with Purpose

North Wales Dragons take a different approach again. Operating without a permanent home facility, the club reduces infrastructure costs and environmental impact while focusing on social value partnerships and civic engagement. Players help shape strategy, governance is transparent, and climate-conscious practice is central to operations. The model is particularly relevant for clubs working within constraints. It shows that impact does not necessarily depend on size, but on clarity of purpose.

Academy Sportive D’Haiti: Stability Through Sport

Yakarr FC: Youth Engagement Despite Constraints

Yakarr FC in The Gambia is progressing early-stage sustainability initiatives such as waste separation and climate awareness sessions. Resources are limited, but commitment to youth engagement remains strong. Governance is evolving toward greater participation, signalling long-term potential if additional support becomes available.

The Value of Citizen Science

What distinguishes this initiative is its reliance on Citizen Science. Rather than external researchers imposing frameworks, the clubs themselves collect and interpret data about their work.

This means that:

• insights are locally generated
• findings are grounded in daily experience
• clubs retain ownership of their narratives

For policymakers and funders, the benefit includes evidence becoming more accurate, more relevant and more immediately useful. Early results show that football already contributes to multiple SDGs, including health, education, gender equality, climate action and partnerships. Yet much of this activity has historically gone undocumented, meaning clubs have lacked evidence to inform strategy or secure resources.

Next steps

Several outputs are now in development:

• An Intern been secured to expand student engagement in the Football for the Goals programme at DMU
• Two academic journal articles are underway, including work on the social value of football and a practical sustainability toolkit for amateur clubs
• A formal report and policy will be submitted to the UN Football for the Goals Secretariat
• Club-level case studies will be produced to support communications and fundraising
• A comprehensive project impact report will be published

Any amateur football clubs interested in getting involved in future projects can email me via: mcharlton@dmu.ac.uk