Borneo Football International Foundation

Football as a Vehicle to Support Destitute Children, Kalimantan

Project Description:

In Central Kalimantan, the minimum wage is less than $200 a month. Many parents struggle to cover even basic needs, making it difficult to send their children to school or provide opportunities for recreation. Poverty, limited education, and poor nutrition have contributed to one of the highest rates of stunting in Indonesia, with many children underweight and below average height.

Since 2015, the Borneo Football International Foundation (BFIF) has been addressing these challenges in Indonesian Borneo. As a Sports for Development (S4D) organization, BFIF has achieved meaningful impact in Education, Health, Social Inclusion, Child Protection, and Empowerment.

BFIF’s mission is to improve the lives of underprivileged children through sport. By using football as a tool for social change, the foundation supports children’s physical, mental, and social development. Its three core programs—Football Practice, Education, and Health—promote gender equality, empower girls, encourage children to continue their schooling, and inspire them to pursue brighter career opportunities. Beyond sport, BFIF provides a safe environment for children and fosters tolerance, diversity, and community peace-building.

To deliver its programs, BFIF established the Borneo Football Academy (BFIA). Through its activities, BFIA demonstrates how sport can bridge divides, helping vulnerable and marginalized children from different—and often conflicting—ethnic and social backgrounds develop life skills, self-confidence, teamwork, and mutual respect. Participants gain discipline, responsibility, and a sense of direction, all while building bonds across communities.

What began in 2015 with just 14 children has now grown into a thriving movement. Today, BFIA has more than 450 players across six training centers, including four all-girls teams, and reaches over 3,000 students in 40 schools through football, health, and education programs. A dedicated team of professionals in football, health, and education continues to expand its mission of changing lives through sport.

More Information: borneofootball.org

Annual target: $76,000