US$500,000 community fund, supported by the LEGO Foundation, will support play events and
projects in six countries to mark the first ever International Day of Play on June 11
May 2024
ChangeX, the community engagement platform, has launched a US$500,000 fund, with support
from the LEGO Foundation, to celebrate the power of play on the first ever International Day of
Play on June 11.
Earlier this year, the UN General Assembly adopted an official International Day of Play,
signalling the importance of play for the holistic development of children. The adoption of this
new international awareness day followed advocacy work by a global network of organisations,
including the LEGO Foundation, the LEGO Group and ChangeX.
The new US$500,000 fund aims to support as many children as possible to engage in creative
play on the first ever International Day of Play…and beyond. It is open to applications from six
countries: Denmark, Mexico, South Africa, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Individuals, community groups, schools, non-profit organisations and other groups can apply for
funding to host a play-related event on, or around, June 11. Alternatively, there’s funding
available to start one of four proven play ideas.
The ideas on offer include OpenSeat Playful Feasts, which facilitates connections between
children and their caregivers through playful and conversation-focused meals, and KABOOM!,
which supports communities to turn everyday places into play spaces.
The new fund builds on ChangeX’s ongoing partnership with the LEGO Foundation. To date,
ChangeX has launched 16 community play funds across 9 countries with the LEGO
Foundation’s support, funding 836 community play projects and benefitting almost 155,000
children.
“At ChangeX, we really believe in the power of play and its ability to build confidence and
support children to develop critical life skills. This international fund marks an exciting
opportunity for communities across six countries to celebrate the power of play,” said Niamh
McKenna, co-founder and head of impact at ChangeX. “We’re proud to be part of the global
network of organisations that advocated for the first ever International Day of Play, and we’re
delighted to be able to mark the day through our continued partnership with the LEGO
Foundation.”