Social Legacy

Qatar’s social legacy goals for the World Cup 2022 are aimed at supporting and strengthening local, regional and global unity, promoting healthier lifestyles, and increasing opportunities for all in sports, education and employment. They have taken the opportunity to build in elements of social development across a broad spectrum of World Cup delivery projects, from stadium construction to worker’s rights.

Stadiums

The new World Cup 2022 stadiums are constructed using modular seating in the upper tiers. On completion of the tournament, capacity at those stadiums will be reduced by removing the modular seating. The modules will then be donated to other countries around the world that require sporting infrastructure. By constructing the stadiums in this way, the remaining stadium facilities will, not only be appropriate to the needs of Qatar, but the repurposed modular elements will also encourage sports development, community engagement and healthier lifestyles in developing countries.

Following the tournament, each of the new stadiums will be reconfigured, and the surrounding area enhanced, to suit the local community. A number of stadiums will become home to domestic football clubs, or provide facilities for local, regional and international sporting events. All of the stadiums will provide community facilities and amenities either within the stadium grounds or in the adjoining neighbourhood. Redeveloping the stadiums and the surrounding areas in this way provides local communities with many new conveniences, new economic opportunities, and access to thriving hubs for sports, leisure and socialising. Facilities and amenities will include additional sports infrastructure (i.e. running and cycling tracks, sports pitches, swimming pools, multi-sports halls, etc.), parks and play areas, restaurants and cafes, retail and commercial outlets, sports medicine and health care clinics, housing, schools and hotels, mosques, and multi-use halls and spaces for community gatherings and events.

Check out our FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Stadiums article and discover how each of Qatar’s stunning stadiums will be redeveloped after the games.

Around the World

Several programmes have been set up to boost access to sports and football, and to support the development of young people and communities through football, in conjunction with the delivery of the World Cup 2022.

Generation Amazing

The ‘Generation Amazing’ programme was established in 2010 as part of Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The programme is designed to use the power of sport to improve lives, at home and away, by driving social change and sustainable social development.

As part of the Generation Amazing programme, a host of initiatives have been, and continue to be initiated. Working with a myriad of not-for-profit and ‘football for good’ organisations, Generation Amazing also supports and enhances on-going social development programmes.

The programme aims to address social needs and prevalent social issues in disadvantaged communities through engagement with young people, the construction of community football pitches, and the delivery of comprehensive 'football for development' training. The programme challenges issues such as gender inequality, social exclusion, poor health and well-being, and lack of educational and employment opportunities.

The construction of football pitches and the strengthening of sports infrastructure provides access to sport to many in need. The infrastructure provides a physical space for socialising, exercise and, for many, a much-needed break from the struggles of daily life. However, combined with 'football for development' training and the engagement of young people, life skills such as teamwork, leadership and communication, and social skills such as self-confidence, respect and inclusion, are taught and transferred across communities. The overall goal being, to unify people and provide them with the skills to help them to improve their circumstances.

Initiatives have been successfully established in Qatar and a host of countries across the Middle East. Worldwide initiatives have been launched in underprivileged communities in the developed world and in some of the world’s most deprived communities in the developing world, such as those in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Nepal, Pakistan, Kuwait, Oman, India and the Philippines. Initiatives have also been set-up in some of the largest and most deprived refugee camps in the Middle East and Africa.

To find out more about the support projects and programmes Qatar is delivering in local, regional and global communities, take a look at our Community Support articles.

Closer to Home

Workers Welfare Standards

Winning the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, gave Qatar the impetus to accelerate improvements in the welfare of the country’s workers. The Supreme Committee of Delivery and Legacy, responsible for delivering the World Cup in 2022, have since introduced a Worker’s Charter and mandatory Workers Welfare Standards. The Charter sets out the principles and values that underpin worker’s rights. The Welfare Standards outline binding rules and provide clear guidelines that contractors and subcontractors, working on 2022 World Cup delivery projects, must adhere to, to protect the rights of workers. The Standards are designed to ensure improved health and safety; better living and working conditions; fair and transparent administrative procedures, contracts and wages; effective communication channels; development opportunities; and social inclusion. The reforms on Workers Welfare have been conceived in conjunction with FIFA and international human rights organisations. The implementation of those standards is routinely audited and inspected by an independent body across the World Cup delivery projects.

At a strategic level, the Supreme Committee of Delivery and Legacy have taken steps to ensure issues, such as unethical recruitment fees, unlawful living costs and laborious administrative procedures, are tackled rigorously. They have also orchestrated the implementation of health and safety standards, construction standards and safety in design specifications in World Cup projects, as well as enforcing standards for worker’s accommodation.

On the ground, numerous initiatives have been implemented to support the Worker’s Standards. Training and education have proved key to improving, not only the safety of workers but their health, well-being and individual prospects. Health checks and screening programmes have enabled prevalent health challenges to be identified, and measures such as healthy lifestyle training to be implemented. Innovative cooling technologies developed specifically for workers, such as cooled safety helmets, stay-cool suits and vests, and cooling towels, ensure safer and more comfortable working conditions. The organisation of, and inclusion of workers in social events and opportunities have created a sense of belonging and inclusion, as well as boosting healthy lifestyles and supporting social/creative outlets.

After projects linked to the World Cup are completed, the legacy of these reforms and initiatives will be felt for a long time. As the Workers Welfare Standards are rolled out across the nation and become compulsory industry-wide standards, a step change will be felt by workers across all industries and projects. Workers will be safer and healthier; educational, employment, leisure and social opportunities will be more available; and, processes easier, from recruitment to repatriation. Innovative cooling technologies will revolutionise working conditions in Qatar, as well as in hotter climates worldwide. It is also hoped that the lessons learned in Qatar will serve to influence future hosts of the World Cup.

Women in Football

The new millennium sparked a host of social changes in Qatar, including attitudes towards women’s rights. Particularly in sports, Qatar has made notable progress in promoting women’s involvement in a historically male-dominated arena. In 2000, the Qatar Women’s Sports Committee was established to improve women’s participation and performance in sport. Fast forward a decade to 2012 when, for the first time, Qatar sent female athletes to the Olympics. In a country and a region known for conservative values, this gave credence to Qatar’s desire to support women in society.

In terms of football, winning the rights to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022 has proved a much-needed stimulus to advancing women’s football in the country. During the bid for the World Cup 2022, the Supreme Committee of Delivery and Legacy announced their commitment to boosting women’s football and changing perceptions of women’s football in Qatar. Indeed, since winning the bid in 2010, Qatar has launched the first Women’s National Football Team (2010), created a Women’s Football League (2012), hosted a myriad of women’s football events, and engaged with local programmes to develop football facilities and opportunities for girls and women.

Through the support and development of women’s football, Qatar aims to leave a lasting legacy of inclusivity and diversity in football, which they hope will transcend into society. By encouraging women into sport on the international stage, Qatar also hopes to elevate women and their role in Arab society, increasing their confidence, skills and opportunities; and confirm to the world their alignment with modern views on gender equality. In addition, by fostering initiatives that persuade girls and women into sports, especially football, Qatar will help to nurture talent for the future and encourage healthier lifestyles.

To learn more about women’s football in Qatar, check out our Women's Football in Qatar - The State of Play in the 21st Century article.