Skateistan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kabul, Afghanistan
- Berlin, Germany, European Union (International)
 | |
| Founded | 2007 Kabul, Afghanistan |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Focus | Youth empowerment, girls' education, trust-building |
| Location |
|
Region served | Afghanistan, Cambodia, South Africa |
| Method | Skateboarding, creative arts, sports, innovation, empowerment |
Key people | Oliver Percovich, founder and Co-Executive Director, Hala Khalaf, Co-Executive Director[1] |
| Website | http://www.skateistan.org |
Skateistan[2] is a non-profit organization that uses skateboarding and creative learning to support at-risk children and youth all over the world. Skateistan is a pioneering “social skateboarding” organization, and is one of the world’s most recognized Sports for Development NGOs.[3] Today, Skateistan operates through partnerships in 50 locations across five continents, with an administrative office in Berlin, Germany.
Skateistan helps deliver programs across the world, mobilizing equipment, resources and knowledge exchange. Skateistan also operates the Goodpush Alliance, a knowledge-sharing network and incubator for over 1,000 social-skate projects.[4]
Over 6,000 children and youth attend Skateistan programs every week, across Skate Schools in Afghanistan, Cambodia, South Africa, and partner projects globally. 54% of Skateistan participants are girls. [3]
Overview
Skateistan began in 2007 when Australian Oliver Percovich arrived in Kabul, Afghanistan, with three skateboards and began skateboarding in the streets with children.[5] Percovich perceived the lack of opportunities for young Afghans, especially girls and working children, and realized that skateboarding was a way to engage them and build community. Skateistan took shape in the following years, with the help of international donors and skateboard industry partners. It was officially registered as an Afghan NGO in July 2009.
On October 29, 2009, in Kabul, Skateistan officially opened their first Skate School with classrooms and an indoor skatepark.[6] A second Skate School was opened in northern Afghanistan in May 2013, in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif.[7] A third Afghan Skate School was opened in Bamyan in 2021.
Skateistan has since grown to run their programs for children beyond Afghanistan. In 2011 Skateistan Cambodia was founded in Phnom Penh, and in 2014 Skateistan South Africa was founded in Johannesburg.
In 2018, Skateistan also established the first global knowledge-sharing network for the social skateboarding community – the Goodpush Alliance.[8] The Goodpush Alliance serves as an incubator and connector, providing grants, resources and events for grassroots organizations and activists to grow within social skateboarding, as well as community-led spaces for thought, discussion and collaboration around key issues. The Goodpush network includes 1000+ initiatives in 115+ countries worldwide.[9]
After the Afghan government fell to the Taliban in August 2021, the Skateistan schools in the country were shut down temporarily.[10] By 2022, Skateistan was able to resume some of its programs in Afghanistan, and has a continued focus on education for girls in Afghanistan today.[11]
In 2024, Skateistan became a women-led organization, welcoming Hala Khalaf as Co-Executive Director alongside Founder Oliver Percovich.
Source:[12]
Skateistan's mission is to empower children through skateboarding and education.
The non-profit mainly targets at-risk children and youth with a big focus on inclusion for girls, children with disabilities, and children from low-income backgrounds. Through the partnerships model, children get access to resources and spaces to educate and empower themselves through skateboarding and creative learning. Currently, Skateistan collaborates with Program Partners in 50+ locations.[4]
International activities
Non-Profit Status
Source:[3]
Skateistan has charitable / not-for-profit status in:
- Germany
- UK
- USA (501c3)
- Australia
- Canada
There are Skateistan NGOs registered in:
- Afghanistan (Afghanistan Skateboarding Training Organization - Skateistan)
- Cambodia (Skateistan Cambodia)
- South Africa (Skateistan South Africa)
Locations
Source:[12]
