Commitment to Equality Diversity and Inclusion

The Premier League Foundation is committed to tackling all forms of discrimination on and off the pitch, and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) across all areas of work.

The charity believes that all of the football club charities it supports must take responsibility for tackling discrimination and embedding inclusive practice.

This approach forms part of the Premier League Foundation Capability Code of Practice, the rigorous governance review that all funded CCOs must go through and adhere to.

The charity takes a pro-active approach to advancing EDI for all stakeholders, addressing areas of under-representation and inequality in all operations, activities and services, including within those organisations the charity funds.

This is achieved by:

- Demonstrating effective leadership, accountability and a commitment to championing equality, diversity and inclusion at all levels of the organisation
- Promoting inclusion and challenging discrimination in all aspects of work.
- Using data and insight to inform decisions and actions
- Providing learning and development opportunities to improve knowledge and understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion

Launched in 2021, the Premier League Foundation Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy supports football club charities to embed and develop equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of their operations.

EDI Panel

In 2021, the Premier League Foundation created an EDI Committee who hold executive responsibility for the development, implementation and monitoring of the Premier League Foundation EDI strategy.

The Group is chaired by the Board lead for EDI and its membership includes representatives from across the Premier League Foundation, Premier League and football club charities network, as well as an independent member.

Premier League Changemakers - Championing girls and young women

Launched in 2021, Premier League Changemakers is delivered through Premier League Kicks and Premier League Inspires and provides opportunities for girls and young women aged 11-18 to access leadership training alongside sport and physical activity.

The programme also encourages participation in gender equality and mental health social action projects, to increase participants confidence and support the development of vital life skills.

More than 40 community organisations across the Premier League and English Football League are currently funded by the Premier League, through the Premier League Foundation, to deliver the programme.

More than 1,200 girls and young women have engaged in Premier League Changemakers to date.

Premier League Disability Football Festivals

In Season 2022/23, more than 450 participants representing more than 40 professional football clubs came together at one of three Premier League Disability Football Festivals, hosted by Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley and Chelsea, to celebrate the Premier League's year-round commitment to providing access to football for all.

This built on the success of the previous season's Premier League Kicks Cup pan-disability tournament, which had more than 150 young people representing 19 professional football club community organisations take part.

The pan-disability football festivals aim to create opportunities for players to develop their skills and confidence in a supportive environment, catering for the needs of people who are neurodivergent and those who have sensory or physical disabilities.

The festivals are a celebration of how the Premier League’s community programmes - Premier League Kicks, Premier League Inspires and Premier League Primary Stars - connect young people aged from five to 18 with football, providing positive opportunities to help them to reach their potential.

More than 15,000 participants who reported having a disability took part in Premier League Kicks, Premier League Inspires and Premier League Primary Stars sessions across England and Wales in Season 2021/22, up 18 per cent on Season 2020/21.

Hear stories from those taking part and organising this summer's Premier League Disability Football festivals.

Premier League commitment to EDI

The Premier League Foundation works closely with the Premier League to champion EDI and using the power and popularity of football to tackle discrimination and promote inclusion.

The Premier League Foundation supports the League's No Room For Racism strategy, Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard and work on LGBTQ+ inclusion, improving accessibility and tackling online hate.

You can read more about the Premier League's commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here.