The Premier League is much more than just a football league: behind its global success lies meticulous work aimed at benefiting local communities, carried out in synergy between clubs and dedicated organizations. This was the focus of the SFS24 panel moderated by Stefano D’Errico, Senior Schools Education Officer at Chelsea FC Foundation, featuring Mike Summers, Chief Executive of the Palace for Life Foundation, and Emma Joussemet, Head of Community Engagement at the Premier League.

With 1.9 billion people watching the Premier League worldwide, the English league has long understood the importance of investing in assets with a strong social impact. For over 30 years, the Premier League has built a solid relationship with local institutions, funding community programs and charity projects through the Premier League Charitable Fund. Each club, in fact, has its own charitable foundation that works closely with its reference community.

Emma Joussemet emphasized that the main focus is on young people, with initiatives targeting specific areas: primary schools, secondary schools, and post-education programs such as ‘Premier League Kicks‘, which involves over a hundred English clubs. These initiatives, also leveraging the positive influence of players, aim to foster a sense of closeness and create tangible impacts on clubs, stakeholders, and citizens.

Mike Summers provided an insight into the work of the Palace for Life Foundation, the charity associated with Crystal Palace, which generates an annual revenue of €3 million, one-third of which comes from the Premier League. “We operate in schools, football communities, and the disability sector, addressing issues such as mental health, particularly among 16- to 24-year-olds. All Premier League clubs develop similar programs”, Summers explained. A significant example is the initiatives aimed at engaging Muslim and South Asian communities in South London, with targeted communication projects that strengthen the bond between clubs and the local territory.

Among the strategic collaborations, the partnership with the BBC stands out, thanks to the “Super Movers” project, which uses football as a tool for education and community development. In parallel, engagement in women’s football is also a priority, with investments aimed at developing talent and making the sport more accessible for young women.

While the Premier League can boast a unique model, there is also a recognized need to increase awareness of these initiatives. “Investing in funding programs is essential for continued growth, but we must also make the work we do known to those who are still unaware of it,” the two guests concluded.

In a context like London, which hosts as many as eighteen clubs, cooperation among foundations, institutions, and stakeholders proves to be the key to creating a lasting social impact and strengthening the bond between football and communities. An example of excellence that continues to inspire the global sports landscape.