Free Movement Skateboarding

What Free Movement Skateboarding does

Free Movement Skateboarding (FMS) is a UK-registered charity (Charity number 1184649) that uses skateboarding as a vehicle for youth wellbeing, empowerment, and social cohesion in Athens, Greece. Founded in March 2017 by Will Ascott and Ruby Mateja after they met volunteering with SkatePAL in October 2016, FMS operates a mobile skatepark—a van-based portable setup that travels across Athens to deliver free skateboarding sessions in public parks, refugee camps (Malakassa, Eleonas, Schisto), schools, youth centers, and community centers. The organization primarily serves refugee and migrant youth, girls and women, LGBTQI+ youth, and (from late 2024) young people with disabilities, with 63+ nationalities represented among its 3,319 unique participants since 2018.

FMS's product portfolio comprises six core programs: mobile skatepark sessions, the Edu-Skate curriculum (co-developed with the Concrete Jungle Foundation for structured youth personal development), women and girls empowerment programming (including girls skate jams and the Game of Skate contest with equal prize money), inclusive sessions for youth with disabilities (Zefyri school, PIKPA Voulas), community sessions at the Latraac skate bowl in Keramikos, and the annual Game of Skate contest. Scale has grown materially: from 316 sessions and 904 young people in 2019-2020 to 229 sessions reaching 588 unique participants across 18 locations in 2024, a 29% year-over-year session increase, with female participation reaching 49% in 2025.

FMS operates on a donation-and-grant-funded non-revenue model: all sessions, equipment, and instruction are free to participants, with the organization sustained by foundation grants from Choose Love (initial funder), Laureus Sport for Good, Mass Action, and Goodpush, alongside in-kind and event partnerships with brands (Nike SB, Vans Greece, Decathlon, Color Skates, Clown Skateboards), cultural institutions (Onassis Stegi, Romantso, The Skateroom), and peer NGOs (Skateistan, Skate Like A Girl, Khora). GTM is community-led: participants are funneled in via NGO, refugee camp, and school referrals, amplified by PR coverage in The Guardian, NBC News, and The Telegraph, plus the 2021-2022 documentary "The Invincible Summer." Recognition includes the 2023 EU "Breaking Barriers" Be Inclusive Award and the 2024 Goodpush Roll Models Grant.

Name

Free Movement Skateboarding

Legal name

Free Movement Skateboarding

Website

https://freemovementskateboarding.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Free Movement Skateboarding is a UK-registered charity running a mobile skatepark that delivers free skateboarding sessions in Athens, Greece, to refugee, migrant, girls, LGBTQI+, and disabled youth. Programs include the Edu-Skate curriculum, women and girls empowerment events, and inclusive disability sessions, funded by foundation grants and brand partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Community Development Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Fitness & Park Bootcamps (HSADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs (MPAKAJAK), Youth Adventure Camps & Summer Programs (THAAAOAB)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Community skateboarding sessions
• Refugee support services
• Mobile skatepark operations
• Social inclusion programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Athens

HQ country

Greece

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: Funding from charitable foundations including Choose Love, Laureus, Mass Action, Goodpush, and others to support youth empowerment programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Free Movement Skateboarding is a registered UK charity that delivers free skateboarding sessions to refugee, migrant, and marginalized youth across Athens, Greece. Using a van-based mobile skatepark, the organization runs regular weekly sessions in public parks, refugee camps, schools, and community centers, combining skateboarding instruction with personal development, wellbeing, and social cohesion programming. All activities, equipment, and instruction are provided at no cost to participants, funded through charitable foundation grants and donations.

Product overview

Free Movement Skateboarding operates as a nonprofit charity (UK Charity number 1184649) offering free skateboarding programs for refugee and marginalized youth in Athens, Greece. Their core offerings include a mobile skatepark that travels across the city delivering regular weekly sessions, an Edu-Skate curriculum developed with Concrete Jungle Foundation for youth personal development, women and girls empowerment programs with dedicated skate jams and events, and inclusive sessions for young people with disabilities in partnership with special needs schools. The organization also hosts community events at Latraac skate bowl and organizes the annual Game of Skate contest with equal prizes for all genders. All sessions, activities, equipment, and guidance are provided completely free of charge.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mobile Skatepark Sessions A portable skatepark transported via van to various public spaces across Athens, providing regular weekly skateboarding sessions for youth in parks, refugee camps (Malakassa, Eleonas, Schisto), schools, and community centers.
• Edu-Skate Curriculum A youth personal development program through skateboarding developed in partnership with Concrete Jungle Foundation, teaching soft skills such as confidence, encouragement, and resilience alongside skateboarding basics.
• Women and Girls Empowerment Program Programs and events focused on increasing female participation in skateboarding, including girls skate jams, Roll Models Grant activities, and collaborations with organizations like Skate Like a Girl to strengthen the women's skate scene.
• Inclusive Skate Sessions Free skateboarding sessions for young people with disabilities in partnership with Special Needs schools and residential care units, including sessions at Special Needs Elementary School in Zefyri and PIKPA Voulas.
• Latraac Community Sessions Regular community days at Latraac skate bowl and cafe in Keramikos, bringing young people from partner projects together with Greek locals to skate at a world-class facility.
• Game of Skate Contest Annual skateboarding competition hosting both men's and women's categories with equal prize money, including qualifiers, semi-finals, and finals events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,126 total sessions delivered since 2018
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mass ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable foundation partner supporting the organization's operational capacity and programs.
• GoodpushcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance supporting social skateboarding projects. Funded Roll Models grants for Denia K and Sonia to focus on increasing female participation.
• SkatePALminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWill and Ruby met whilst volunteering for SkatePAL in October 2016. Skateboarding charity working in Palestine.
• SkateistancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on short film for International Women's Day 2024 highlighting girl empowerment through skateboarding. International NGO using skateboarding for education.
• The SkateroomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on documentary film 'The Invincible Summer' created by Evan Maragkoudakis and Oisín Tammas, examining themes of migration, struggle and hope.
• LatraaccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkate bowl and cafe in Keramikos, designed by Zachos Varfis and built with local skate community help. FMS holds community days bringing young people to skate with Greek locals.
• Color SkatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAthenian skate shop partner. Collaborated on women's skate jam during 'The Invincible Summer' release party, providing prizes and supporting events.
• Onassis StegicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural foundation partner that co-hosted the documentary release party for 'The Invincible Summer' at Romantso venue.
• Vans GreececoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborated on Vans Shop Riot event and partnered for Girls and Queers session during CPH Open in Athens.
• Nike SBcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with Nike SB and Unity Skateboards to host Girls and Queers session during CPH Open event in Athens.
• Skate Like A GirlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization collaborating on events to celebrate Nike SB x Skate Like A Girl dunks release, bringing Athenian girls skate community together.
• Concrete Jungle FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking with their Edu-Skate Curriculum, a programme for youth personal development through skateboarding that empowers youth with tools to achieve their goals.
• Pushing BoardersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConference focused on social skateboarding. FMS presented at Pushing Boarders in London (2018-19) and Malmo, Sweden (2019-20).
• DecathlonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSports retailer supporting the organization with equipment for skateboarding sessions.
• Cool CripsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial enterprise working to make disability mainstream and increase visibility of disabled people. FMS networking with special needs schools for inclusive skate sessions.
• Special Needs Elementary School ZefyricoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established November 2024 providing monthly skateboarding sessions for students with disabilities.
• PIKPA VoulascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRehabilitation & Recovery Unit for Children with Disabilities. First session held February 2025; ongoing collaboration providing regular activities.
• Clown SkateboardsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSkateboard brand supporter listed among partners.
• Ministry of ConcreteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAthenian skate venue and partner for community events.
• Boat Refugee FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanitarian organization supporting refugees, potential partner for refugee-focused programming.
• KhoraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAthens-based organization where Will volunteered in November 2016, meeting Choose Love and developing the Free Movement concept.
• LariattminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as supporter/partner organization.
• Amino AnimominorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as supporter/partner organization.
• RomantsominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAthenian venue that hosted the documentary release party for 'The Invincible Summer' with skate session.
• Fade RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic partner providing entertainment at documentary release party event.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Skateistan: International non-profit using skateboarding for education and youth empowerment in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa. Closest direct peer — same model of skateboarding-as-tool-for-marginalized-youth, with whom Free Movement has produced collaborative content.
• Skate Like a Girl: US-based non-profit empowering women, trans, and gender-nonconforming people through skateboarding. Direct peer in the girls-and-queers skate space and a current event collaborator with Free Movement.
• Goodpush: Global alliance of social skateboarding projects that awarded Free Movement the Roll Models Grant. Peer network and funding partner in the same operational category.
• Concrete Jungle Foundation: Non-profit that developed the Edu-Skate Curriculum used by Free Movement. Direct peer and active curriculum partner delivering youth personal-development programming through skateboarding.
• SkatePAL: Palestine-based skateboarding charity supporting youth through skateboarding. Direct peer in social-skateboarding delivery; Free Movement co-founders met while volunteering for SkatePAL.

Regional players

• Latraac: Athens-based skate bowl and cafe that hosts Free Movement community sessions. Local venue partner providing world-class facility access to program participants.

Broad incumbents

• Laureus Sport for Good: Global sport-for-development foundation funding Free Movement's youth empowerment programs. Broad incumbent funder working across sport-based social impact.
• Choose Love: UK-registered refugee-focused charity that provided Free Movement's initial seed funding. Larger incumbent in refugee-support with overlapping beneficiary populations.

Emerging players

• The Skateroom: Art-focused skateboarding platform that produces artist collaborations and partners with skateboarding NGOs. Adjacent peer and content collaborator via 'The Invincible Summer' documentary.
• Pushing Boarders: Conference and community platform focused on social skateboarding impact. Peer ecosystem organization where Free Movement has presented and which shapes the broader social-skateboarding narrative.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/freemovementsb
• Instagraminstagram.com/freemovement__sb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/free-movement-skateboarding

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Free Movement Skateboarding