ChangeX, the community engagement platform, and the LEGO Foundation have launched a US$480,000 fund to celebrate the power of play on the second annual International Day of Play on June 11.
The International Day of Play, an annual celebration to mark the importance of play for every child’s development and well-being, was adopted by the UN General Assembly last year.
The new US$480,000 International Day of Play Community Fund will support children in four countries (South Africa, Denmark, Mexico, and Ukraine) to fulfil their right to play, by empowering communities to create powerful learning opportunities and playful spaces.
Individuals, community groups, schools, non-profit organisations and other local groups in South Africa can apply for funding of up to R50,000 to start one of five proven play ideas, intended to create a playful moment on June 11 and also enable longer-term impact in local communities. The ideas on offer include hosting a playful meal for children and their caregivers, and building playgrounds from local materials.
The new fund builds on the success of last year’s International Day of Play Community Fund, which supported almost 300 community projects and impacted more than 71,000 people, including more than 43,000 children.
“Where art and laughter meet, memories are made! We had a blast at our Playful Feast and Paint event, watching little minds explore their creativity and parents cherish precious moments with their mini-mes. We believe in the magic of play, the importance of connection, and the impact of art on young minds,” said Siphesihle Nkosi, who received funding for an OpenSeat Playful Feasts project in Johannesburg last year.
ChangeX and the LEGO Foundation’s collaboration around International Day of Play is part of a wider play-focused partnership. Since 2022, ChangeX has launched 29 community play funds across 10 countries with the LEGO Foundation’s support, funding approximately 1,300 community play projects and impacting more than 240,000 children.
Tarek Alami, Head of International Programmes at the LEGO Foundation, said: “The International Day of Play is an important recognition of children’s right to play and a great opportunity to ensure that every child, everywhere, has the space and time to play. Therefore, we’re very excited to team up with ChangeX again to support even more communities in their efforts to generate highly meaningful and engaging activities on June 11 that create long-term benefits locally for children and grownups alike.”
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with the LEGO Foundation to celebrate the second International Day of Play,” said Niamh McKenna, co-founder and head of impact at ChangeX. “We’ve seen firsthand, through the community play projects this partnership has supported in multiple countries, how play helps children grow, connect, and thrive. It’s exciting to build on last year’s momentum and support even more communities to celebrate the power of play on June 11, and every day.”
Applications to the International Day of Play Community Fund will close on June 9. Find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/3YADhyM
About ChangeX
ChangeX is a community engagement platform designed to get funding and resources directly into the hands of ordinary people to lead impactful projects in their neighbourhoods. ChangeX was established in 2015. It works with social innovators to scale proven solutions to environmental, economic and social issues and partners with companies and foundations to support local communities with the necessary funding. Its funders include the LEGO Foundation, Microsoft and Paramount, among others. ChangeX is an international non-profit organisation, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with teams based across Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia.
About the LEGO Foundation
At the LEGO Foundation, we believe that every child, everywhere, should have the opportunity to thrive and grow. As a Danish corporate foundation and the proud part-owner of the LEGO Group, we fund programs locally and globally to help our partners support children in reaching their full potential and empower children to learn, play, and cope in a constantly changing world.
