In Rotterdam South, the Feyenoord Foundation’s Street League has been transforming young lives through football since 2012. Supported by LyondellBasell as a social partner since 2020, the programme fosters teamwork and self-confidence among children aged seven to 13. This partnership not only enhances participants’ lives but also strengthens community bonds, making a significant impact both on and off the field.

Challenges in Rotterdam South

Within the Netherlands, Rotterdam South has one of the highest concentrations of socio-economically vulnerable households, with around 30% of its population living in poverty. Young people face a particularly difficult environment, with high unemployment, high crime rates, low levels of higher education and fewer opportunities to support their development.

As is the case for many children across Europe, football is a meaningful bright spot for the young people of Rotterdam South. The Feyenoord Foundation, an affiliate of the well-known football team Feyenoord, organises hundreds of activities each year to improve the quality of life in Rotterdam South.

Feyenoord Foundation and LyondellBasell

In 2012, the Foundation started the Street League for children between the ages of seven and 13 to build self-confidence and learn to work together. Hundreds of participants compete for points on the field throughout the season, but they also earn points by volunteering in the neighbourhood and attending workshops. Children spend a year working together intensively, both on and off the pitch.

Since 2020, LyondellBasell has been Feyenoord’s social partner and invests €200,000 annually in the foundation. In addition, LyondellBasell colleagues invest their time as volunteers for the foundation.

The company also supports Feyenoord in sharing its lessons learned with an international audience. On 11 September 2024, the foundation organised the first ‘Making Football Matter’ conference for international football foundation partners. LyondellBasell was the only invited corporate partner and hosted a session presenting the programme’s successes, challenges and lessons learned.

Empowering the next generation

Speaking about the company’s involvement with the foundation, Jean Gadbois, Senior Vice President of Europe, Asia and International Manufacturing, LyondellBasell, said:

‘We believe in a partnership that will make our next generation stronger and more capable of being agents of positive change.’

His words are borne out by research: the results of the Street League programme are positive both on and off the scoreboard. Analysis by the Erasmus Impact Centre has shown that compared to the start of the season, Street League participants are highly motivated to exercise, get along better with their teammates, spend more time together, invite each other to social gatherings more often and feel that they fit in better with the group.

LyondellBasell is proud to continue to support the Street League and its work in making meaningful connections between children in Rotterdam South. The programme has a key role in advancing a thriving society by fostering health and happiness for the entire community.