ChangeX, the community engagement platform, has recently announced the launch of a new fund worth US$500,000 in celebration of the first ever International Day of Play on June 11. This initiative has received support from the LEGO Foundation, a global organization that recognizes the power of play in children’s holistic development.
The United Nations General Assembly officially declared June 11 as the International Day of Play earlier this year, highlighting the crucial role of play in a child’s growth and development. The LEGO Foundation, along with other organizations such as the LEGO Group and ChangeX, have been strong advocates for this international awareness day.
The US$500,000 fund aims to provide support for children to engage in creative play not just on the International Day of Play, but also in the future. It is open for applications from six countries, including Denmark, Mexico, South Africa, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Individuals, community groups, schools, non-profit organizations, and other groups are encouraged to apply for funding to host play-related events on or around June 11. Alternatively, funding is also available for four proven play ideas, such as OpenSeat Playful Feasts, which promote connections between children and caregivers through playful and conversation-focused meals, and KABOOM!, which helps communities turn ordinary places into play spaces.
This new fund is a result of ChangeX’s ongoing partnership with the LEGO Foundation. To date, ChangeX has launched 16 community play funds in nine countries, with the LEGO Foundation’s support. This has led to funding for 836 community play projects, benefiting nearly 155,000 children.
According to Niamh McKenna, co-founder and head of impact at ChangeX, “At ChangeX, we truly believe in the power of play and its ability to build confidence and support children’s development of critical life skills. This international fund presents an exciting opportunity for communities across six countries to celebrate the power of play. We are proud to be part of the global network of organizations that advocated for the first ever International Day of Play, and we are delighted to mark the day through our continued partnership with the LEGO Foundation.”
Sidsel Marie Kristensen, CEO of the LEGO Foundation, also shared her thoughts, saying, “Play is the superpower of children, but not all children have the chance to experience the benefits of learning through play. It is a challenge for all of us to make play a part of every child’s reality. The International Day of Play is an important recognition of a child’s right to play.”
Applications for the International Day of Play Community Fund will close on June 11. With the support of the LEGO Foundation, ChangeX plans to launch more community play funds later this year.
To learn more about the fund and apply, visit: https://www.changex.org/fund/idop
About ChangeX:
ChangeX is a community engagement platform that aims to provide funding and resources directly to ordinary people to lead impactful projects in their neighborhoods. Established in 2015, ChangeX collaborates with social innovators to scale proven solutions to environmental, economic, and social issues. It also partners with companies and foundations to support local communities with the necessary funding. Its funders include Microsoft, Accenture, and the LEGO Foundation, among others. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, ChangeX is an international non-profit organization with teams based in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
About the LEGO Foundation:
The LEGO Foundation’s mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow, a goal that it shares with the LEGO Group. The foundation is dedicated to creating a future where learning through play empowers children to become creative, engaged, lifelong learners. Its work is centered on redefining play and reimagining learning. Through collaborations with thought leaders, influencers, educators, and parents, the LEGO Foundation aims to equip, inspire, and activate champions for play.
This news release is distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.
