Barça Foundation Launches ‘Hope League’ to Foster Peace in Western Kurdistan and KRI Through Football

By Ahora Qadi

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a landmark effort to use sport as a catalyst for peace and social cohesion, FC Barcelona’s official page has announced the launch of the ‘Hope League’, an international initiative aimed at rebuilding the social fabric and fostering coexistence in war-affected regions of northeast Syria (Western Kurdistan) and Kurdistan Region.

Jointly spearheaded by the Barça Foundation, along with La Caserna, the NOVACT Institute for Nonviolence, UPP, Doz International, IDare, and Casa Nostra Casa Vostra, the project marks a pivotal moment in the global effort to prevent radicalization and promote youth empowerment through football.

Football as a Tool for Reconciliation

Described as a pioneering initiative, Hope League is designed to harness the transformative power of football to bridge divisions and cultivate a culture of dialogue, inclusion, and peace. The project will establish community football schools that offer structured activities focused not just on sport, but also on social healing, especially among children and adolescents who have grown up in the shadow of conflict.

“The initiative places strong emphasis on the empowerment of young people — particularly girls and those from marginalized backgrounds, including internally displaced persons, refugees, rural communities, and ethnic minorities,” the statement read.

Through its football-based programming, the project seeks to counter narratives of hatred and violence by instilling values of tolerance, respect, and unity. Particular focus is given to the children of families who were victims of the Islamic State, aiming to provide them with constructive alternatives for identity and belonging.

Oleguer Presas Leads On-the-Ground Mission

As part of the initial phase, former FC Barcelona defender Oleguer Presas, who now represents La Caserna, led several training sessions in April 2025 across the Kurdish areas. These sessions were held for the future coaching staff of the community football schools and focused on pedagogical methodologies that reinforce the educational and unifying power of sport.

According to the announcement, the sessions also laid the groundwork for shared objectives and operational standards, as the initiative gears up for full implementation across both regions.

A Global Model for Peacebuilding

With the support of international and regional partners, the Hope League aims to become a scalable model for post-conflict peacebuilding, offering a compelling vision of how football — a game loved across the globe — can be repurposed to serve a higher mission of restoring lives and healing communities.

The initiative comes at a time when the Kurdish areas continue to grapple with the lingering aftermath of war, displacement, and extremist violence. By investing in youth and fostering inclusive community spaces, the project aspires not only to prevent the resurgence of violence, but to build a foundation for sustainable peace for generations to come.