It’s not just a story about skateboarding – it’s a story about who gets to belong, who gets to shape narratives, and what’s possible when communities pushed to the sidelines come together to reclaim their space.
ROLL Models was designed to do more than fund projects – it was built to dismantle barriers. Across Europe, women and gender-diverse leaders have challenged sexism, transphobia, ableism, and exclusion - not only by creating safer spaces, but by transforming the systems around them.
Today, that impact is visible across the board:
These numbers tell a powerful story, but the real impact lies in what they represent: a shift from isolated projects to a sustained movement for gender equity and inclusion.
“As a non-binary person (I have come out since the ROLL Models project!) the project encouraged my confidence in my identity and holding leadership/organising roles. Being around and creating networks with so many incredible women and non-binary people encouraged me to be proud of that, and seeing the work that they did encouraged me to do the same. The empowerment that I felt from the ROLL Models Program was immense.” – Anonymous participant
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One of the most visible changes brought on by ROLL Models has taken place in skateparks and public spaces. Across cities, ROLL Models have moved from hosting closed sessions to confidently enjoying previously male-dominated skateparks and actively challenging long-standing norms about who belongs there. These acts of reclaiming space are not symbolic; one by one they reshape visibility, shift perceptions, and create new entry points for other diverse skaters.
In Marseille, over 130 people gathered for a street takeover in a space previously dominated by men. In Athens, a portable ramp transformed a central square into a space for girls and genderqueer skaters. In Glasgow, skaters didn’t just show up, they built their own DIY obstacle, designing it as a collective process with accessibility in mind.
At the same time, initiatives like Melanin Skate Gals & Pals - an organisation first funded by the ROLL Models program - are pushing representation even further, working with major partners to boost the visibility of skaters of color and marginalized genders, and influence conversations around anti-racism in skateboarding and beyond.
What makes ROLL Models different is its long-term vision. Instead of one-off interventions, it has created a pipeline of leaders who continue to shape the social skateboarding community. Six years on, 14 organizations launched through the program are still active, many now operating as registered non-profits with full-time staff and significant funding.
The ROLL Models community has evolved into what ROLL Models describe as a ‘living ecosystem of feminist leadership’ – grounded in mutual aid, solidarity, and collective care. Leaders support one another across countries, collaborate on projects, and share knowledge without gatekeeping.
This ecosystem sustains itself, with alumni returning as mentors and Advisory Board members, participants co-designing the program cycles, and a former ROLL Model now managing the program itself.
“To spend the week championing women, non-binary and queer resilience, strength and talents and to experience what true feminist solidarity feels like is unforgettable and absolutely joyous. I think it is hard to measure the lasting impact [the Leadership Camp] had on everyone but I’m sure everyone will continue to pass that on in their own lives and projects.” – ROLL Model, Cora Stocker (UK)
Beyond formal structures, what truly sets this movement apart is how it operates in practice. ROLL Models consistently show up for each other: traveling to different cities and countries to support DIY skatepark builds; partnering to launch adaptive skate sessions for disabled youth; co-creating projects and exchanging advice, tips, knowledge and skills.
This kind of collaboration transforms the community into a safety net, one that helps leaders navigate burnout, isolation, and the challenges of grassroots work. As one ROLL Model put it, the program offers something rare: a lived experience of ‘true feminist solidarity.’
The most recent cohort has taken this momentum even further, expanding what social skateboarding can look like.
Across Europe, projects have:
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As the network grows and develops, its influence is extending beyond skateparks. ROLL Models are increasingly recognized as experts and leaders: invited by city officials to lead gender equality initiatives; partnering with institutions on community activation; contributing to panels/events and broader conversations around inclusion in sport.
At the same time, the program’s low-barrier, trust-based funding model is challenging traditional approaches in sport-for-development – proving that when you shift power to grassroots leaders, innovation and impact follow.
With a strong foundation in Europe, the next chapter is on the horizon. ROLL Models is preparing to launch a new locally-led program in Africa, co-designed with an African Advisory Board and grounded in local leadership. The goal is not replication, but adaptation – building on what works while responding to local contexts and realities.
This expansion reflects what the past six years have made clear: when you invest in women and gender-diverse leaders, you don’t just fund projects, you build movements.
ROLL Models has never been just about skateboarding. It’s about reclaiming space, redistributing power, and reimagining what a diverse and caring community can look like.
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