The founding date of the Gol de Letra foundation, 10 December 1998, stands as symbol of the Brazilian organisation’s overriding spirit, as it shares an anniversary with International Human Rights Day.

The initiative focuses its work in Vila Albertina, an underprivileged working-class neighbourhood in Sao Paulo, and in Caju, part of the old port of Rio de Janeiro, where they address the needs of children and adolescents by combining educational practices and social assistance with community and family development.

Founded by former Brazil internationals Rai and Leonardo, who helped A Seleçao to the 1994 FIFA World Cup™ title, a number of Gol de Letra’s developmental activities are supported by financial aid from the FIFA Foundation.

Every year more than 4,600 people participate in the organisation’s projects, which benefit over 15,000.

In June 2019, 100 students of the foundation’s Centre for Sport and Development joined seven associated schools in participating in an internal 3football festival, where matches have three ‘halves’.

The methodology is already well-known in organisations supported by the FIFA Foundation, and the event allowed the participating children and adolescents to become familiar with it and enjoy the benefits of integration, as well as exchanging experiences that encourage better social integration.

In November, 50 youngsters aged between six and 16 took part in a festival for equality in Rio de Janeiro.

Activities included football with a focus on gender equality, 3football, capoeira, muay thai, events relating to gender equality and other ball games.

Over the course of the year, another 440 students benefited directly from the help of the FIFA Foundation through Gol de Letra.