Project Details

Skateistan began as a grassroots 'Sport for Development' project on the streets of Kabul in 2007, and is now an award-winning, international NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) with projects in Afghanistan and Cambodia. Skateistan is the first international development initiative to combine skateboarding with educational outcomes.  Skateistan is non-political, independent, and inclusive of all ethnicities, religions and social backgrounds. Skateistan aims to always be an innovative social project with quality.

We use skateboarding as a tool for empowering youth, to create new opportunities and the potential for change

Skateboarding is simply "the hook" for engaging with hard-to-reach young people. Skateistan's development aid programs work with growing numbers of marginalized youth through skateboarding, and provide them with new opportunities in cross-cultural interaction, education, and personal empowerment programs.

In Cambodia, Skateistan's participants come from diverse backgrounds, and include over 40% female students, streetworking children, and nearly 20% are youth with disabilities. In the skatepark and classrooms they develop skills in skateboarding, leadership, civic responsibility, multimedia, and creative arts, exploring topics such as environmental health, culture/traditions, natural resources, and peace.  The students themselves decide what they want to learn - Skateistan connects them with a safe space and opportunities for them to develop the skills that they consider important.