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In June this year, 18 initiatives across 14 countries wrapped up their projects which they’d put into action via the Pushing Against Racism (PAR) Fund 2025-26. From skate sessions, jungle camps, upskilling and leadership pathways, to community events and mental health workshops, these projects have been finding ways to overcome barriers and make skateboarding a space where more people can truly belong.
Between April 2025 and June 2026, the PAR Fund distributed $30,000 USD in grants, reaching 3,407 people across the different projects. Of those reached, 1,858 were girls and women, 1,523 were boys and men, and 26 were gender-diverse. Here’s just a glimpse into the incredible impact that each project had in their local community.
For some projects, the funding helped bring skateboarding to places where young people had never had the opportunity to try it before. On Lamu Island in Kenya, Ubunifu Lamu Initiative introduced their first ever skate programs! With funding for skateboards, helmets and protective equipment, they were also able to invite GirlSkate Nairobi to the island, giving local girls the chance to learn from experienced skaters. For many of the young people, it was their first time on a skateboard, and for many girls, their first time seeing women skateboarding and coaching in person.
“This was a significant milestone for our community. The visit created a unique opportunity for local girls and boys to learn directly from experienced female skaters, challenge gender stereotypes, and see women leading confidently in a sport that is often not accessible to young people in our region.”
In Jamaica, Freedom Skatepark Foundation adapted their initial project plan to reach out to the western part of the island that was heavily affected by Hurricane Melissa. This unplanned change ended up opening many doors, as they were able to take skateboarding to parts of the country where it had never been seen before. “Our staff made trips to different schools and community spaces, providing skate classes, drinks and snacks and the children absolutely loved it. Many of them had never seen a skateboard before.“ They are now in conversations with several of the new communities about building ramps and continuing classes so that the joy of skateboarding can continue to spread!
In Eswatini, EmaSwati Skate used the funding to run a six-week Skate and Heal women’s program, combining skateboarding and wellbeing workshops. Transport, snacks, coaching and therapeutic support helped make the sessions accessible and welcoming for participants trying skateboarding for the first time. This inclusion also extended to their annual skate contest, Kick Push Skate: “This year was particularly significant as we had female skaters travel from South Africa to compete, which served as a powerful source of inspiration for our local women skaters and demonstrated that the skate park is a space for everyone.”
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In Brazil, 2DasMinas organised gatherings at CEU Heliópolis and Kennedy Linear Park in São Paulo, combining skateboarding lessons with discussion circles and cultural activities celebrating the history and leadership of Black women. They also launched their AfroPista project, connecting Black ancestral heritage with skateboarding as a way to challenge racism and increase the visibility of Black women in the skate scene.
Across the fund, the different projects have shown how skateboarding can open the door to conversations about identity, belonging, racism and community. In São Paulo, Projeto Demorô Skate é Vida ran a series of three educational workshops exploring identity, self-esteem and racial awareness. Through group discussions, creative activities and skateboarding, participants reflected on their own stories, the importance of Black role models in skateboarding, and the kind of future they want to see in their communities.
One of the activities involved creating an Anti-Racist Knowledge Tree - with roots representing identity, a trunk representing the lessons and values shared by families and communities, and branches and fruit representing participants’ dreams and commitments for the future. The project created a space for young people to connect their experiences on and off the board and think about how they can help shape a more equitable community.
In Ethiopia, Ethiopian Girl Skaters used their grant to continue their weekly inclusive skate sessions while also reaching out to neurodivergent and marginalised young people through activities at the Joy Autism Center and local high schools. Combining skating, creative learning and community engagement, their project helped challenge traditional expectations around girls in sport and create opportunities for young people to connect.
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In Malaysia, JRSkates School of Skateboarding brought together 27 students from a school for refugees and nine Malaysian students for a jungle skate camp focused on mental wellbeing, confidence, physical health, art and fun! The camp included skateboarding sessions, art therapy and confidence-building workshops, creating opportunities for young people from different backgrounds to connect and learn together.
In Kenya, GirlSkate Nairobi combined skateboarding with music, movement, film screenings and creative workshops. Through their SPINLAB program, they trained 27 beginner women DJs, helping create safer pathways for women into Nairobi’s music scene while strengthening the connections between skateboarding and creative culture. The grant also supported peer coaches, youth leaders and community events, helping them to build new partnerships and expand their network.
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Skateboarding Papua New Guinea is a long term grantee of the PAR Fund, and it’s been amazing to see their progress over the years. Each funding round they’ve taken the opportunity, alongside regular programs and outreach events, to work towards the long term sustainability of their programs through employing local staff and building their skills through training and certifications. This year was no different, with all their coaches receiving training sessions in child protection, mental health activities to integrate into their programs, and the ISCP skate coach training certification.
The Pushing Against Racism Fund was created in 2022 by the Pushing Against Racism Working Group, as a direct action to promote an anti-racist culture in skateboarding worldwide. Coordinated by Skateistan’s Goodpush Alliance, the fund supports grassroots projects working to increase diversity, inclusion and racial equity within skateboarding. A huge thank you to all 18 grantee organisations and the local skaters, coaches, volunteers and community members who made these projects possible. We're proud to have been part of your journey and excited to see how your work continues to grow.
As we celebrate the achievements of this latest round, we're reminded of the creativity, commitment and community leadership that already exists within the global social skateboarding movement. Supporting these projects means investing in the people who know their communities best, shifting the unequal access to resources and helping to make their ideas happen.
Want to help make future rounds of the Pushing Against Racism Fund possible? We're keen to connect with potential partners and supporters who share our vision of a more inclusive and anti-racist skateboarding community. Get in touch with the Goodpush team to find out more about supporting grassroots social skateboarding projects around the world: goodpush@skateistan.org.
Banner image: Ubunifu Lamu Initiative x GirlSkate Nairobi - Lamu Island, Kenya
Americas:
Asia: JRSkates School of Skateboarding – Malaysia
Europe: Skater Uktis – UK
Oceania: Skateboarding Papua New Guinea
