What Skateistan does

Skateistan is a Berlin-headquartered non-profit international NGO that uses skateboarding and education to empower youth, with a particular emphasis on girls and young women, in underserved communities. Founded in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2007/2008 and registered in Germany as Skateistan gGmbH, the organization operates through two complementary models: direct Skate Schools in countries including Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa, and a partnership/licensing tier branded "Skateistan In A Box" that has scaled to 49 program locations across 30 countries.

Program content combines skateboarding instruction with structured educational modules in literacy, STEM, arts, and life skills. As of 2025, Skateistan reports over 12,000 participants and approximately 403,000 annual participations, with 54% of participants identified as girls or young women. Revenue is generated through a mix of individual donations, institutional grants, and corporate sponsorships; named supporters include Nike and the German Postcode Lottery.

In 2018 the organization launched the Goodpush Alliance, a subsidiary network supporting more than 1,000 social skateboarding NGOs worldwide, creating an ecosystem layer beyond direct operations. Following the Taliban takeover in August 2021, in-country Afghan programming was paused and subsequently rebuilt through the Skateistan In A Box partnership model. In 2023 Skateistan transitioned to a women-led executive structure under Co-Executive Director Hala Khalaf and launched the "She Leads. We Follow." fundraising campaign with a $731,000 target, alongside the planned 2026 Play to Resist programmatic initiative.

Name

Skateistan

Legal name

Skateistan gGmbH

Website

https://skateistan.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Skateistan is a non-profit NGO using skateboarding and education to empower youth, especially girls, in underserved communities, operating direct programs in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa and a partnership network spanning 49 locations across 30 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Education & Adventure Programs (School-Run) (EDAJAJAJ)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Nonformal education services
• Skateboarding instruction
• Sports for development
• Community outreach programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Skateistan operates primarily through donations from individuals, major donors, and fundraising campaigns. They offer a 'Citizens' monthly donor program where supporters can become monthly donors for as little as $1 per month. The organization also runs specific fundraising campaigns like 'She Leads. We Follow.' raising $731,000 for at-risk girls and women-of-color, and 'Play to Resist' campaign.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Support from foundations and corporate partners including German Postcode Lottery, Nike, Peace and Sport, and various other institutional donors. The organization has fundraising entities in Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, USA, and UK.
3. Pushing Against Racism Fund Grants: Goodpush Alliance coordinates grant programs that provide funding to grassroots skateboarding organizations. In 2024, $15,000 was distributed to 12 initiatives from 11 countries through this fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Skateistan is a women-led international non-profit that provides free skateboarding instruction combined with non-formal education programs to at-risk children aged 5-17, with a focus on girls, in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa. The organization operates direct Skate Schools and extends its impact globally through the Skateistan In A Box partnership model and the Goodpush Alliance, a knowledge-sharing platform that supports 1,000+ social skate NGOs worldwide with grants, resources, and e-learning courses.

Product overview

Skateistan is an award-winning, women-led international NGO that brings the world together with skateboarding. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs including Skate Schools in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa; the Goodpush Alliance supporting 1,000+ social skate NGOs; and Skateistan In A Box partnership model for grassroots organizations. Core offerings include free skateboarding and education programs for children aged 5-17 (with focus on girls), educational programs like Back-to-School, and creative sessions. The organization runs campaign initiatives like 'Play to Resist' and 'She Leads. We Follow.' for fundraising, while content series like 'The World On Board' documentary and 'Radical Playtime' podcast extend reach. The Pushing Against Racism Fund provides grants to promote diversity in skateboarding. The Citizens monthly donor program and Skateistan Partnerships complete the ecosystem of giving and program delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Goodpush: Knowledge-sharing platform and incubator for social skate NGOs, providing grants, resources, and e-learning courses for 1000+ organizations worldwide
• The Drop In
• Citizens of Skateistan
• Play to Resist
• She Leads. We Follow.
• Pushing Against Racism Fund
• Skateistan In A Box
• The World On Board

Products and services

• Skateistan Schools (Afghanistan, Cambodia, South Africa) Physical skate schools providing free skateboarding and non-formal education programs for children aged 5-17, with a focus on girls, in Afghanistan (Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif, Bamyan), Cambodia (Phnom Penh), and South Africa (Johannesburg).
• Goodpush Alliance A knowledge-sharing platform and sector support initiative launched in 2018, serving a network of 1,000+ social skate NGOs worldwide with grants, resources, e-learning courses, practitioner training, and capacity building.
• Skateistan In A Box An international programs partnership model that mobilizes funding, resources, knowledge, and equipment for grassroots and established organizations, providing bespoke support tailored to each partner's local context.
• Citizens Program Monthly donor program where supporters become Citizens of Skateistan with recurring gifts starting at $1 per month.
• Back-to-School Program Educational program component where children learn the national school curriculum alongside skateboarding and life skills.
• Skate and Create Sessions Combined skateboarding and creative/artistic education sessions offered at partner locations, providing outlets for expression and learning.
• Pushing Against Racism Fund Annual grant program coordinated by the Goodpush Alliance that financially supports greater diversity and inclusivity within skateboarding by providing grants to grassroots organizations worldwide.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

42 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Syrian SkaterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Syrian Skaters team, the first registered skateboarding team in Syria. Supports children and youth healing from war trauma through skateboarding, creating inclusive gender-responsive safe spaces and activities to rebuild youth confidence and foster healing.
• Salad Days of Skateboarding / Skate PakistancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS nonprofit partnering with Skateistan to support skateboarding in Lahore through Skate Pakistan. Provides safe public infrastructure including a concrete skatepark, hosts free weekly gender-inclusive sessions, and focuses on female empowerment and educational outreach.
• SB.PScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocally led skateboarding initiative in Palestine supported by SkatePal. Building a self-sustaining movement through community-led sessions, leadership bootcamps, and innovative woodworking workshops where young skaters learn to recycle old boards.
• Just.ChildhoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Just.Childhood offering safe spaces for learning and play in Palestinian refugee camps in Beirut. Works with children who are often excluded from sports and recreational activities, especially girls and children with disabilities.
• Art PluscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Art Plus in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, operating Skate and Create sessions at Suli Skatepark, Iraq's first skatepark. Supports displaced young people from Iraq and Syria affected by violence and war.
• Ayni Skate ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Ayni operating Pura Pura Skatepark, the highest skatepark in the world at 4000 meters altitude. Provides free skate equipment loan and weekly skate classes for at-risk youth in Bolivia.
• Seven Hills (Jordan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by local skateboarders in 2014, Seven Hills creates safe spaces for young people in Jordan, focusing on uniting displaced and low-income communities. Skateistan has supported their outreach program in Zarqa since 2023.
• Goodpush AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIncubator for the social skateboarding sector launched by Skateistan in 2018. Provides grants, resources, events, and community-led spaces for collaboration for grassroots organizations. Currently supports 1000+ skateboarding-for-good initiatives worldwide.
• Enfants d'AsiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Cambodia providing secure homes and access to education. Skateistan Cambodia's local partner supporting children in Phnom Penh.
• Krousar Thmey School for the Deaf and BlindminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with school for deaf and blind children in Cambodia. Skateistan staff translate lesson plans into sign language to include children with disabilities.
• Tony HawkmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvisory Board Member and prominent supporter lending celebrity endorsement to Skateistan's mission.
• Sky BrownmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOlympian and Skateistan Ambassador supporting the organization's global campaigns and youth programs.
• Bangladesh Street Kids Aid (BSKA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with BSKA providing opportunities to street-involved youth in Bangladesh using skateboarding as an outreach tool. In 2024, launched Bangladeshi Girls Shred project.
• Free Movement SkateboardingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Free Movement in Athens, Greece since 2017. Operates mobile skatepark and youth centre, delivering sessions for migrants, refugees, Roma, girls and those with disabilities.
• Maputo SkateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 2006, provides tools to help young people in Mozambique avoid alcohol and drugs, improve school performance and family relationships.
• Bait al-ShamsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Lebanon working with Just.Childhood to offer safe spaces for Palestinian refugee children.
• 2 Das MinasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent social project promoting female skateboarding in Sao Caetano do Sul, Brazil, focusing on skateboarding, hospitality and sisterhood.
• UCanSkatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMexican women-led organization using skateboarding to empower minorities and vulnerable groups, focusing on gender equity and Indigenous community inclusion.
• Skate & BeyondminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUgandan nonprofit founded in 2023 offering programs in skateboarding, education, and personal development for marginalized youth aged 5-35.
• Skate PNGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkate Papua New Guinea aims to empower youth of PNG through skateboarding, promoting healthy physical activity and gender equality.
• Make SBminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth-centered organization founded in 2023 in Kibagare Slum, Nairobi, Kenya. Provides free skateboarding sessions, equipment, and mental health activities.
• Project ElimuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-driven non-profit in Kibera, Nairobi offering after-school arts education. Partnered with Skateistan In A Box since 2021.
• The Lotus FlowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen-led NGO founded in response to the 2014 ISIS crisis supporting Yezidi communities in Kurdistan Region of Iraq through skateboarding programs.
• Surf GhanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO founded in 2016 using surfing and skateboarding for youth empowerment in Ghana, focusing on safe spaces, sports, arts, and cultural entrepreneurship.
• Ethiopia SkatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSport-for-good skateboarding non-profit building skateparks and running youth development programs in Ethiopia since 2013.
• Women Relief AidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen-led National NGO in South Sudan providing support to vulnerable women/girls and children suffering in South Sudan.
• San SkateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject in Dominican Republic helping children spend free time through skateboarding lessons, workshops and education. Empowers stateless children.
• GirlSkate NairobiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth-led collective in Nairobi empowering girls, marginalized genders, and underserved youth through skateboarding and creative expression.
• Black Girls ShredminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago-based community-built organization fostering safety, health awareness, equity, and developing play spaces for youth and young adult shredders.
• Closecall SkateboardingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit providing free skateboarding lessons and life skills workshops to children and youth in Turkana, Kenya.
• DENCITY.NGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity in Nigeria embracing and increasing the female skateboarding scene in Nigeria and Africa.
• Dream House UgandaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization working with marginalized girls, women, elderly, street children, orphans, and disabled people through skateboarding sessions.
• Ethiopian Girl SkatersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducts weekly skateboarding and mentoring sessions for Ethiopian girls ages 6-17, including those displaced from conflict-affected regions.
• Mamelodi Skate ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in South Africa providing creative learning, community gardening and environmental education through skateboarding.
• Projeto Demorô Skate é VidaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Heliopolis, Brazil hosting skateboarding lessons combined with artistic and cultural activities for children and parents.
• Ubunifu Lamu InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Lamu Island, Kenya providing space for children to express themselves through art, music, poetry, dance, yoga and sports.
• EmaSwati SkateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuns skateboarding, mental health, and life skills programs in disenfranchised communities in Eswatini.
• Freedom Skatepark Foundation JamaicaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuns skateboarding and life skills classes for children ages 6-16 in Jamaica, plus after school homework tutoring.
• The Shawn Shine ShowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuns free skateboard sessions for children across Navajo Nation at Two Grey Hills Skatepark, with mobile sessions in remote communities.
• Skater UktisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Muslim female-led skate crew running skateboarding lessons and online events in 20+ countries.
• WeSkate MonguminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuns daily skateboarding programs for girls and boys in Mongu, Zambia, plus weekly programs on health topics. Built first skatepark in Zambia in 2020.
• JR Skates School of SkateboardingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeaches skateboarding alongside skill building and mental health activities in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, focusing on indigenous, low income and refugee youth.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Waves for Change: Waves for Change is a South Africa-based NGO using surfing and skateboarding combined with cognitive-behavioural therapy to support at-risk youth in Cape Town and other coastal communities. It shares Skateistan's sport-plus-psychosocial-support model and South African operations footprint.
• Surf Ghana: Surf Ghana is an NGO founded in 2016 using surfing and skateboarding for youth empowerment in Ghana, focusing on safe spaces, arts, and cultural entrepreneurship. It is a Skateistan In A Box partner and operates with the same dual-sport-plus-education model.
• Bangladesh Street Kids Aid (BSKA): BSKA is a US-based nonprofit founded by Skateistan Program Partnerships Consultant Susie Halsell that uses skateboarding as outreach for street-involved youth in Bangladesh. It is a current Skateistan In A Box partner and shares Skateistan's sport-for-social-impact model at a smaller, more focused scale.
• SkatePal: SkatePal is a UK-registered charity that builds skateparks and runs skateboarding education programs for Palestinian youth. It is the closest direct comparable to Skateistan — same sport, same youth-development framing, same conflict-zone operating context — and is also listed as a Skateistan In A Box partner.
• Free Movement Skateboarding: Free Movement Skateboarding operates a mobile skatepark and youth centre in Athens, Greece, serving migrants, refugees, Roma, girls, and children with disabilities since 2017. It mirrors Skateistan's focus on displaced and refugee youth using skateboarding as outreach, and is a direct In A Box partner.

Broad incumbents

• War Child: War Child is an established international NGO dedicated to protecting and supporting children affected by war and conflict across more than a dozen countries. It overlaps with Skateistan's refugee and conflict-zone beneficiary focus, though its programming is broader than sport-specific.
• Right To Play: Right To Play is a major international NGO that uses sport and play to educate children in disadvantaged communities across 15+ countries. It is the most established broad incumbent in the sports-for-development space, with significantly larger scale and institutional funder relationships than Skateistan.
• ME to WE / WE Charity: WE Charity (formerly Free The Children) is a large international youth-development organization combining education, leadership training, and social enterprise. While not sport-specific, it overlaps with Skateistan's youth-empowerment mission and global development-education positioning.
• Magic Bus (Magic Bus Global): Magic Bus is a youth-development non-profit operating across India, the UK, and the US that uses sport and activity-based learning to move children from poverty to education and livelihoods. It shares Skateistan's sport-plus-education model but operates at significantly larger scale with a primary India focus.

Emerging players

• Ethiopia Skate: Ethiopia Skate is a non-profit founded in 2013 building skateparks and running youth development programs in Ethiopia. It is a current Skateistan In A Box partner with a similar sport-for-development model focused on a single country.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/skateistan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/skateistan
• Instagraminstagram.com/skateistan
• Xx.com/Skateistan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Skateistan