Manchester City’s global charity initiative, Cityzens Giving, and its water technology partner, Xylem, have expanded the Xylem Water Heroes Academy, a global initiative in ten cities using the power of soccer to prompt community-led solutions to water challenges.
Since its launch in 2021, Xylem Water Heroes Academy has engaged over 75 young leaders and delivered water education to more than 6,000 young people in five cities: São Paulo, Mumbai, Cape Town, New York City, and Shanghai.
The expanded network, which now also comprises youth-led projects in Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Cape Coast, Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne, aims to positively impact 20,000 more young people over the next four years.
To mark the launch, Argentinian soccer player Pablo Zabaleta visited the El Coyolito neighborhood in Mexico City with the Premier League Trophy. There, Zabaleta met with Cityzens Giving’s young leaders.
Despite heavy flooding and rainfall, Mexico City is facing a water shortage. More than 20 million residents do not have enough water to drink for nearly half the year and one in five people have access to only a few hours of running water from their taps a week.
This project will see Young Leaders from global nonprofit love.fútbol use specially adapted football games to educate young people in the community on responsible water consumption, as well as the importance of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
Zabaleta took part in a youth-led football and water festival and engaged in a Q&A session with young participants, before learning a traditional Mexican dance.
Reflecting on his visit, Zabaleta said: “Meeting the Young Leaders in Mexico City was an amazing experience. The way they are using football to teach children about the importance of water is creative and inspiring, and it’s great to see this unique initiative from Cityzens Giving and Xylem expanding to more cities. The Young Leaders are so engaged with supporting their community and to be able to contribute in a small way was a privilege.”
As part of the activity in the country, young leaders, Xylem employees, and fans from Manchester City’s Official Supporters Club in Mexico City also joined forces to repaint the El Coyolito pitch and create a water-themed mural.
In addition, City in the Community coaches delivered training to 40 young leaders in Mexico City, sharing expertise and knowledge in leadership, community football and WASH. This was followed by a three-day digital Summit, connecting young leaders and Xylem experts from all ten cities to share ideas on tackling water challenges through football.
