Skill-based workshops and community grants
Initiative description: Conducting skill-based workshops for community representatives in Qatar on themes that build on the experience of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and are of interest to local communities, such as football for development; design, engineering and construction of stadiums and infrastructure; advocating community cohesion and civic participation through public engagement and consultation; and widening access to and participation in football.
As part of the wider community outreach work by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the Community Engagement team delivered unique programmes that aimed to empower, train and build the skills of community leaders in Qatar. In turn, these leaders were encouraged to use their newly acquired knowledge and expertise to mobilise and impart knowledge to their communities. Community leaders helped recruit new members to participate in the SC’s community-based programmes and build excitement in a manner that best suited their communities.
The SC’s Community Engagement team delivered more than 30 skill-based workshops and issued 38 community grants to help connect local communities, create awareness on topics associated with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and build the skills of community representatives.
Skill-based workshops for community leaders
Through the SC’s community capacity building programme, a series of capacity building workshops were conducted between 2021 and 2022 aimed at preparing community leaders with the skills required to standardise community cultural activations and performances during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Relevant community representatives were invited to participate in these workshops based on the theme as well as members’ professional and/or personal interest(s). A wide variety of topics were covered and delivered by experts working for the SC and its stakeholders, with the objective of building specific capacity needs in Qatar.
Workshops focused on the following themes, and were delivered within an interactive setting:
the role of leadership;
influence and teamwork;
creativity and planning;
negotiate and motivate;
delivery and impact; and
observation activity and measuring success.
These skill-based workshops not only provided valuable tools for preparing activations for the tournament, they also enabled community leaders to develop new skill sets, networks and expertise to enhance their own professional development. As part of the workshops, each participant was required to commit to delivering an activity or programme within six months following the workshop in their community, utilising the skills and experience gained.
In addition to the above listed workshops, the SC’s Community Engagement team also delivered information sessions between 2016 and 2022, with topics being based on the various milestones associated with planning for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Over 700 students and 200 community representatives were engaged in these information sessions and skill-based workshops.
During the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, community leaders were able to utilise their newly developed skills and partnerships to deliver a range of highly diverse performances throughout the tournament. These performances involved numerous communities across Qatar representing Asian, African, European, American, and Middle Eastern community groups, with performers originating from more than 40 different countries. For more information about the various cultural activations conducted during the tournament, please visit the cultural event series web page of this report.
In the years leading up to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, various communities within Qatar contributed to the success of major milestones such as the reopening of Khalifa International Stadium the African Super Cup, the launch of Al Janoub Stadium, hosting of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup 2019™, launch of Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, hosting of the inaugural edition of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021™ and the launch of Lusail Stadium by utilising the skills they acquired through the workshops.
Community Grant Scheme
Recognising the importance of involving the local community around each of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ stadiums, and ensuring they benefit both socially and culturally from Qatar’s hosting the tournament, a grant scheme was developed to support projects that could improve the quality of life, health, and wellbeing of communities across Qatar.
Grants of up to QAR 30,000 were available to support groups and organisations, including expat associations, local environmental groups, recreational and social clubs, sporting clubs, arts groups and educational establishments. Individuals with ideas that could help their neighbours were also able to submit applications. A total of 38 grants were awarded to support community cultural groups and community football teams between 2015 and 2019.