This grant will fund the international exchange program, organized by Women Win Foundation, Girls Rugby, Inc. (U.S. Partner), and Empodera – Transformação Social Pelo Esporte (Brazil Partner) and is intended to develop skills related to empowering young female athletes through sport – such as developing teamwork, increasing inclusivity, and expanding access.

Sports for females has been on the rise for years, and this year a number of organizations are coming together in partnership to create an exchange program focused on female empowerment through sport. The exchange program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and will fund twelve (12) participants from the United States to travel to Brazil March 8th-14th and twelve (12) participants from Brazil to travel to the US May 2nd-10th. The theme for this exchange is Advancing the Playing Field: Empowering Young Female Athletes Through Sport.

This program will allow non-elite coaches, working with female athletes, to observe and participate in a week-long program in another country to learn skills and information that they can take back and apply to their own teams and environments. Activities will include site visits, training and certification workshops, cultural activities, and more. This will be a multi-sport enrichment opportunity and welcomes coaches from all sports who are working with young female athletes. 

“Girls Rugby is excited to participate in this exchange program with the U.S. Department of State, Women Win, and Empodera. Our mission is to empower girls to reach their potential through sport and to participate in an exchange that centers on female empowerment is truly an honor. We are working to build a great curriculum for both sides of the exchange to ensure participants make the most of their experience, which will include partnerships with other sport organizations in Brazil and the United States.” Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder, Erin Kennedy

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Women Win is the global leader in girls’ and women’s empowerment through sport and has impacted the lives of over 2,822,400 adolescent girls and young women in over 100 countries since 2007. Women Win’s mission is to advance the playing field that empowers her through sport and play. Learn more about Women Win by visiting www.womenwin.org 

Girls Rugby, Inc. empowers girls to reach their potential through sport by combining flag rugby programming with a values-based curriculum. Established in 2018, Girls Rugby has programming in a number of states throughout the U.S. and believes in helping young girls become the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow. Learn more about Girls Rugby by visiting www.girlsrugbyinc.com

Empodera – Transformação Social Pelo Esporte is a non-profit organization based in Rio de Janeiro, which was founded in 2017 by two young women with 10 years of collective experience in gender and sport. Empodera – Transformação Social Pelo Esporte (‘Empower’ in English) was created to address a large gap in the way sport for development organisations in Brazil approach gender equity through sport. Learn more about Empodera – Transformação Social Pelo Esporte by visiting http://www.empodera.org.br