Commitment to Equality Diversity and Inclusion
The Premier League Charitable Fund is committed to tackling all forms of discrimination on and off the pitch, and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across all areas of work.
The charity believes that all of the professional football club community organisations (CCOs) it supports must take responsibility for tackling discrimination and embedding inclusive practice.
This approach forms part of the Premier League Charitable Fund Capability Code of Practice, the rigorous governance review that all funded CCOs must go through and adhere to.
The charity takes a pro-active approach to advancing EDI for all stakeholders, addressing areas of under-representation and inequality in all operations, activities and services, including within those organisations the charity funds.
This is achieved by:
- Demonstrating effective leadership, accountability and a commitment to championing equality, diversity and inclusion at all levels of the organisation
- Promoting inclusion and challenging discrimination in all aspects of work.
- Using data and insight to inform decisions and actions
- Providing learning and development opportunities to improve knowledge and understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion
Launched in 2021, the Premier League Charitable Fund Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy supports CCOs to embed and develop equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of their operations.
EDI Panel
In 2021, the Premier League Charitable Fund created an EDI Committee who hold executive responsibility for the development, implementation and monitoring of the Premier League Charitable Fund EDI strategy.
The Group is chaired by the Board lead for EDI and its membership includes representatives from across the Premier League Charitable Fund, Premier League and CCO network, as well as an independent member.
Premier League Changemakers - Championing girls and young women
Launched in 2021, Premier League Changemakers is delivered through Premier League Kicks and Premier League Inspires and provides opportunities for girls and young women aged 11-18 to access leadership training alongside sport and physical activity.
The programme also encourages participation in gender equality and mental health social action projects, to increase participants confidence and support the development of vital life skills.
Forty-three club community organisations across the Premier League and English Football League are currently funded by the Premier League, through the Premier League Charitable Fund, to deliver the programme.
More than 1,200 girls and young women have engaged in Premier League Changemakers to date.
Read some of the stories from young people involved in the programme here: 'PL Changemakers has helped me choose my career'
Premier League Disability Football Festivals
In Season 2022/23, more than 450 participants representing more than 40 professional football clubs come together at one of three Premier League Disability Football Festivals, hosted by Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley and Chelsea, to celebrate the Premier League's year-round commitment to providing access to football for all.
This builds on the success of the previous season's Premier League Kicks Cup pan-disability tournament, which had more than 150 young people representing 19 professional football club community organisations take part.
The pan-disability football festivals aim to create opportunities for players to develop their skills and confidence in a supportive environment, catering for the needs of people who are neurodivergent and those who have sensory or physical disabilities.
The festivals are a celebration of how the Premier League’s community programmes - Premier League Kicks, Premier League Inspires and Premier League Primary Stars - connect young people aged from five to 18 with football, providing positive opportunities to help them to reach their potential.
More than 15,000 participants who reported having a disability took part in Premier League Kicks, Premier League Inspires and Premier League Primary Stars sessions across England and Wales in Season 2021/22, up 18 per cent on Season 2020/21.
Hear stories from those taking part and organising this summer's Premier League Disability Football festivals.
Premier League commitment to EDI
The Premier League Charitable Fund works closely with the Premier League to champion EDI and using the power and popularity of football to tackle discrimination and promote inclusion.
The Premier League Charitable Fund supports the League's No Room For Racism strategy, Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard and work on LGBTQ+ inclusion, improving accessibility and tackling online hate.
You can read more about the Premier League's commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here.