Whenever 'International Day of Sports for Development and Peace' rolls around, it reminds us how sports can break down barriers, bridge divides, and bring people together. It also asks the question: How you gonna’ be a part of that, then, Skateistan? Surprise, surprise—our answer is with skateboarding…yo. 

At Skateistan, we see the power of sports for development every day: young people from all walks of life finding their place in a community, building confidence, and shaping their own futures through, in our case, skateboarding. But if you haven’t gathered it by now, this isn’t just about skating—it’s about resilience, creativity, and education. It’s about the kind of change that happens from the ground up, led by the youth themselves. The leaders of our collective future. 

‍

‍

Rejected by them, protected by us. 

Just as skateboards are often disregarded as toys or, worse, means of destruction; it’s easy to see skateable spaces as little more than rejects of urban planning. Are these wasted corners, concrete desserts or—in the case of a skatepark—the follies of some eccentric architect? No. For many, these spaces are the bedrocks of a community. A melting pot of cultures, experiences, and perspectives. And all over the world, skateboarders are pushing to ensure their spaces are located, constructed, made inclusive, and then protected. 

While Skateistan works with Partners in over 40 locations worldwide, there’s one organization that’s proven this again and again. Founded by local skateboarders in 2014, Seven Hills creates safe and inclusive spaces for young people in Jordan, focusing particularly on uniting those from displaced and low-income communities. Their work in Amman and beyond shows how skateboarding can be a powerful force for social change.

‍

"We see an astonishing diversity in our sessions, local children from Jordan, playing alongside Palestinians, Syrians, and those from many other backgrounds we didn't even know were present in our country: Somali, Yemeni, Sudanese. This has resulted in an incredibly strong, ever-growing community." ‍

– Mohammed Zakaria, Co-Founder: Seven Hills

‍

Since 2023, Skateistan has supported Seven Hills’ outreach program in Zarqa, expanding their reach to migrant communities and offering free skateboarding sessions alongside informal education and arts programs. This is done with a “Skate Bus”, which carries skateable objects and equipment out to otherwise disused spaces, transforming them into the foundation for new communities to flourish. Young people discovering new passions, forming friendships across social divides, and finding a sense of belonging in an unstable context.

‍

‍

A sport? A culture? A tool for self-empowerment?

At Skateistan, we believe that empowering young people to see themselves as changemakers is just as important as teaching them how to land a kickflip. Dare we say more important? (Don’t tell Koston) The strength of a community is built on the strength of the individuals within it—and that starts with self-growth…and then a great flick and catch technique. 

‍

"If you want to change your community, you must first empower yourself. Strengthen what is within, to positively impact the people around you." 

– Mohammed Zakaria, Co-Founder: Seven Hills

‍

Through skateboarding and education, young people develop skills far beyond the park: resilience, critical thinking, teamwork. They learn how to navigate challenges both on and off the board. And when they realize they are capable of pushing through obstacles—whether that’s landing a new trick or overcoming personal struggles—their confidence soars. That confidence spills over into their communities, shaping a future where they’re not just participants but active drivers of change. 

‍

‍

New communities, new narratives, new challenges.

One of the most powerful aspects of using sport for development is the way it can challenge traditional gender roles. In many places, skateboarding has long been a male-dominated activity—but that’s changing.

‍

"If we didn't believe our work would lead to positive change, we wouldn't be doing it. And we can really see and feel this positive change. For example, in the amount of girls who come to our sessions and consider it a safe space for them to try something new, like skateboarding."

‍– Mohammed Zakaria, Co-Founder: Seven Hills

‍

By ensuring that girls feel welcome and supported in skate spaces, we’re not just teaching them how to skate—we’re reinforcing that they belong, that their voices matter, and that they can take up space in any area of life they choose. In fact, across the board, 56% of our participants are girls—and you can read more about how we’re empowering women-led organizations in our recent article right here. 

‍

‍

The reality of working in sports for development isn’t always smooth. It’s full of challenges, uncertainties, and roadblocks. But as any skater knows, falling is part of the process—you just get back up and try again. 

‍

"If you are not facing an issue, that is in itself an issue. There are always challenges, big ones, small ones, new ones, old ones. If you aren't experiencing these, you're either ignoring them or you're doing something ineffective. You want to be consistently learning, adapting, and moving forward."

‍– Mohammed Zakaria, Co-Founder: Seven Hills

‍

At Skateistan, we’re constantly learning—listening to the communities we serve, adapting our programs, and pushing to create even greater impact. Because we know that real, lasting change doesn’t come from the top down. It starts with young people finding their own strength, carving their own path, and rolling towards a better future, together.

‍

‍

So you want to join the movement.

With Partners in 40+ locations, plus over 1,000 other known organizations (see our sister entity, Goodpush), pushing the movement in social skateboarding forward, there’s never been a better time to get onboard. 

If you’re a budding project, head on over to Goodpush.org and sign up to the community. There are resources, grants and initiatives to help you grow your impact, as an organization or an individual. 

And for those looking to support right now, just click the little button below and become a Citizen for as little as $1 per month. Until next time, thanks for reading. 

‍