25 Years of Impact Through Play

For 25 years, we have been there for children, protecting, educating, and empowering them to rise above adversity through the power of play.

The world has changed a lot since our founding in 2000, but our commitment to supporting children’s learning and well-being has not. With the support of our donors and partners, we’ve reached millions of children in 47 countries, helping them to stay in school and learn, overcome prejudice, heal from trauma, and develop the skills they need to thrive.

Being there for children means believing in them, and in their potential and their dreams. It means being committed to upholding their rights, both in times of crisis and after the crisis subsides. And it means being responsive to their changing realities and engaging whole communities in prioritizing their needs.

At a time when record numbers of children are affected by displacement, instability, and inequality, we are more committed than ever to working with partners to support this and the next generation of children to learn and develop through play, so they can have a safe and joyful childhood and grow into thriving adults.

It all began with a boy in a long sleeve t-shirt...

In 1994, Norwegian speed skater Johann Olav Koss led a humanitarian trip to Eritrea. There, he came face-to-face with the realities of life in a country emerging from decades of war – and with the power of play. Amid burned-out tanks, children played together, kicking a shirtball back and forth. The children’s incredible resilience in the face of hopelessness inspired Koss to found Right To Play.

25 years on, Right To Play has grown to reach millions of children in 14 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Indigenous communities in Canada. We create positive and safe environments where children can learn and succeed, and use play in all its forms to provide rich and engaged learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

Supporting A Generation To Thrive

Children and youth who participate in Right To Play programs become resilient and confident adults who create change in their communities and support future generations.

When we believe in children, they believe in themselves and achieve their dreams. With the support of a trusted teacher, a child who has been traumatized by conflict and displacement can grow up to become an advocate for peace. To a boy who sees no purpose in school, belief in his potential can encourage him to attend university to become an engineer.

The support of a female coach can set an example for a girl who is ridiculed for wanting to lead, inspiring her to start her own organization and become an advocate for the next generation. When her skills are valued, a shy girl can become a Junior Leader, and then a nurse with a vision for health education.

Our program alumni and thousands of others are proof of the life-changing support Right To Play provides.

Meet Our Alumni

Partnerships Are The Cornerstone

Guided by a growing body of evidence and increasing understanding of how play supports children’s learning and development, our commitment to using the power of play to transform children’s lives is stronger than ever. This work is only possible thanks to the contributions of our valued community, program, research, and financial partners, whose contributions to our mission are key to providing children with the foundational skills they need to embrace their futures with confidence.

We thank them for their commitment and for sharing their expertise and knowledge. Together, we can continue to build a world where every child is valued, has their rights respected, and has the support they need to learn, develop, and thrive.