Rwandan nonprofit Autisme Rwanda has been selected among the first grantees of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, a landmark initiative supporting organisations that provide children with access to quality education and sports.

The recognition places Rwanda among a group of countries whose community-based organisations are being backed to expand access to education and sport for children in underserved communities.

Today’s announcement, made jointly by Global Citizen and FIFA, places Rwanda alongside a select group of organisations from 10 countries chosen to receive grants ranging between $50,000 and $250,000. The organisers aim to raise $100 million with the ambition of transforming the lives of children through access to education, football, and community-based support.

For Rwanda, the inclusion of Autisme Rwanda is more than a grant award — it is a recognition of the country’s ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive society where children living with disabilities are not left behind.

Autisme Rwanda has spent years supporting children with autism and their families through specialised education, therapy services, advocacy, and awareness campaigns. Its work has become increasingly important as conversations around neurodiversity and inclusive education continue to gain momentum across Africa.

The organisation’s selection reflects the growing international appreciation for locally driven solutions to educational inequality and social exclusion.

At a time when many children with developmental disabilities across the continent still face barriers to schooling, social participation, and healthcare access, the grant is expected to strengthen Autisme Rwanda’s ability to expand services and deepen community outreach.

The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund represents one of the most ambitious philanthropic collaborations connecting sport and education in recent years.

Since its launch, the initiative has already raised more than $30 million, supported by global brands, philanthropies, corporate partners, and proceeds from major entertainment and sporting events, including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026™.

The first cohort of grantees reflects a broad international effort to address urgent educational challenges affecting underserved communities. Organisations selected span initiatives focused on girls’ leadership, disability inclusion, early childhood education, youth mentorship, and life-skills development through sport.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Global Citizen Co-Founder and CEO Hugh Evans emphasised the transformative role education can play in breaking cycles of poverty.

"For children growing up in extreme poverty, access to education is not only life-changing, it’s life-saving,” Evans said. "The impact of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund is far reaching — beyond the lives of young people in classrooms and on sports fields, into these communities, where their quality of life will improve and cycles of poverty will be broken.”

The recognition of Autisme Rwanda also aligns closely with Rwanda’s broader national commitment to inclusive education and equal opportunity. Over the years, Rwanda has strengthened policies supporting persons with disabilities, while community organisations have increasingly become key partners in bridging service gaps and advocating for social inclusion.

The grant offers an opportunity not only to expand educational support for children with autism, but also to challenge stigma and increase national awareness for autism. Importantly, the initiative underscores how global partnerships can elevate grassroots organisations that are already making measurable impact within their communities.

The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund’s advisory board includes internationally recognized figures such as FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Serena Williams, Shakira, Kaká, Hugh Jackman, and musician The Weeknd, highlighting the growing convergence between sports, entertainment, philanthropy, and global development.

Applications for the second cycle of grants are now open to organisations worldwide providing education and sports access for children in underserved communities. Visit here to learn more about eligibility criteria and apply for funding today.

For Rwanda, however, the spotlight now shines firmly on Autisme Rwanda, a reminder that impactful solutions often begin within communities themselves, driven by organisations that understand local realities and refuse to leave vulnerable children behind.