The FC Barcelona Foundation and Scotiabank, in collaboration with the Can Bou Play Foundation, are launching the “Peace of Mind” project—an initiative that uses sport as a tool for social transformation to strengthen emotional well-being and enhance employability among vulnerable youth in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
The project will benefit 50 secondary school students between the ages of 12 and 18, with equal participation of boys and girls. It is specifically aimed at young people from communities facing socio-economic challenges, exposure to violence and social vulnerability. In Trinidad and Tobago, youth mental health has become an urgent challenge, with high rates of youth suicide and limited access to specialized services, particularly in historically underserved communities.
In response to this reality, Peace of Mind proposes a comprehensive and culturally adapted approach that combines sports activities, emotional education, mentoring, peer support and access to professional care. The initiative seeks to create a safe and trusting environment in which young people can develop life skills, strengthen their resilience and receive psychological support when needed, while also facilitating their integration into the labor market through targeted employability workshops.
The project includes the implementation of a community-based well-being program, as well as the launch of sports and educational activities after school hours. Through partnerships with universities and public institutions, the presence of health professionals in the area will be strengthened, increasing access to psychological care and therapeutic support services.
With this initiative, the Barça Foundation and Scotiabank, in collaboration with the Can Bou Play Foundation, reaffirm their commitment to youth and to building safer, more inclusive and more resilient communities, once again demonstrating the power of sport as a driver of social change.
