The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) and UNICEF have formalised a partnership aimed at promoting youth empowerment, community initiatives, and online safety within the esports ecosystem. The agreement was signed during the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Maha Alyemni, from EWC’s Public Affairs team, highlighted on LinkedIn that working with the UNICEF Gulf team to bring the collaboration “from idea to signature” was a major highlight of the Esports World Cup 2025. She added that the focus will be on creating opportunities for young people while advancing sustainability and community engagement in esports.

UNICEF Gulf described the initiative as a move to make esports “a space where children and young people can play, connect, and grow safely,” emphasising inclusivity and the protection of young participants’ rights. Hana Hamade, Partnerships Manager at UNICEF, noted the collaboration will promote both online safety and empowerment for youth entering the expanding fields of gaming and esports.

The partnership marks a new effort by UNICEF to leverage esports’ reach since deals inked in 2020 with Team Heretics and Fnatic. By then, the partnerships aimed at the organisations’ influence to also focus on promoting safe and inclusive environments for youth. Further details on the projects promoted with the EWCF are still to be revealed.