A network of social skateboarding projects supporting
the inclusion of displaced communities worldwide

About the Open Boarders Network

The Open Boarders Network (OBN) was founded in 2023 to create a dedicated space for long-standing skateboarding organizations supporting displaced communities to connect for the first time.

OBN is coordinated by Skateistan’s Goodpush Alliance, but since day one it has brought in leading projects working with displaced youth, to inform the direction and aims of the network through a participatory approach.
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Founding organizations: Skateistan, Free Movement Skateboarding (Greece), 7Hills (Jordan), Skate Nation (Sweden), and Drop In e.V. (Germany)

The Network is currently made up of 18 social skateboarding projects working in 16 countries

We share knowledge, co-create resources and provide seed funding and support through the Sibling Fund
Founded in 2023 by Skateistan, Free Movement (Greece), 7Hills (Jordan), Skate Nation (Sweden), and Drop In e.V. (Germany)
The Network is currently made up of 18 social skateboarding projects working in 16 countries
We share knowledge, co-create resources and provide seed funding and support through the Sibling Fund

We believe that

skateboarding can connect displaced communities

OBN currently includes 18 social skateboarding initiatives across 16 countries who meet monthly for discussion and collaborative projects.

‍While many social skateboarding initiatives aim to engage displaced youth, a significant lack of resources and additional barriers often prevent their full participation. These challenges affect the safety and well-being of refugees, migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and asylum seekers – and limit their opportunities to find community and belonging through skateboarding.

OBN works behind the scenes to identify collective challenges and resource gaps that need to be addressed to better support the inclusion of displaced communities in skateboarding programs worldwide.

What We Do?

Creates space for social skate projects engaging displaced communities in skate programs to formally document their knowledge and expertise: sharing challenges, learning points and problem- solving together
Provides support for projects looking to reach displaced youth for the first time, in the form of direct guidance, access to resources and seed funding
Creates practical resources co-created by the community and for the community, which support skate coaches to include displaced youth in their programs, create safer spaces, and work with a trauma- informed approach
Displaced people worldwide will be better included in their local communities, have access to safe spaces and feel empowered by learning a meaningful sport— improving their physical and mental health, and overall wellbeing.

The OBN Sibling Fund

The OBN Sibling Fund

The OBN’s Sibling Fund fosters meaningful partnerships between like-minded skateboarding initiatives supporting displaced youth, enabling them to learn from and support each other with dedicated seed grants. 

Projects are paired based on their focus areas, location/context, shared language, and expertise. We aim to match Big Siblings who have relevant experience in a challenge that Little Siblings are actively working to overcome or a topic they need support and guidance with. While Big Siblings take on a mentor role, the goal is for both partners to benefit from the relationship through mutual aid and collaborative problem-solving.

The Sibling Fund launched as a pilot in 2024 and is now supporting its 1st full cohort in 2025.

OBN Members

Free Movement Skateboarding

Athens, Greece
Free Movement Skateboarding empowers young people in Athens by using skateboarding to transcend social barriers, fight discrimination, and build community. Through inclusive sessions in public spaces, a mobile skatepark, and a regular schedule, they create safe environments where youth of all backgrounds can develop confidence, friendships, and social skills.

Free Movement Skateboarding

Athens, Greece
Free Movement Skateboarding empowers young people in Athens by using skateboarding to transcend social barriers, fight discrimination, and build community. Through inclusive sessions in public spaces, a mobile skatepark, and a regular schedule, they create safe environments where youth of all backgrounds can develop confidence, friendships, and social skills.

Free Movement Skateboarding

Athens, Greece
Free Movement Skateboarding empowers young people in Athens by using skateboarding to transcend social barriers, fight discrimination, and build community. Through inclusive sessions in public spaces, a mobile skatepark, and a regular schedule, they create safe environments where youth of all backgrounds can develop confidence, friendships, and social skills.

Free Movement Skateboarding

Athens, Greece
Free Movement Skateboarding empowers young people in Athens by using skateboarding to transcend social barriers, fight discrimination, and build community. Through inclusive sessions in public spaces, a mobile skatepark, and a regular schedule, they create safe environments where youth of all backgrounds can develop confidence, friendships, and social skills.

Free Movement Skateboarding

Athens, Greece
Free Movement Skateboarding empowers young people in Athens by using skateboarding to transcend social barriers, fight discrimination, and build community. Through inclusive sessions in public spaces, a mobile skatepark, and a regular schedule, they create safe environments where youth of all backgrounds can develop confidence, friendships, and social skills.

Free Movement Skateboarding

Athens, Greece
Free Movement Skateboarding empowers young people in Athens by using skateboarding to transcend social barriers, fight discrimination, and build community. Through inclusive sessions in public spaces, a mobile skatepark, and a regular schedule, they create safe environments where youth of all backgrounds can develop confidence, friendships, and social skills.

Free Movement Skateboarding

Athens, Greece
Free Movement Skateboarding empowers young people in Athens by using skateboarding to transcend social barriers, fight discrimination, and build community. Through inclusive sessions in public spaces, a mobile skatepark, and a regular schedule, they create safe environments where youth of all backgrounds can develop confidence, friendships, and social skills.

Free Movement Skateboarding

Athens, Greece
Free Movement Skateboarding empowers young people in Athens by using skateboarding to transcend social barriers, fight discrimination, and build community. Through inclusive sessions in public spaces, a mobile skatepark, and a regular schedule, they create safe environments where youth of all backgrounds can develop confidence, friendships, and social skills.

How to Get Involved

If you’re involved in a social skateboarding project that’s working with displaced youth or would like to start doing so, you’re welcome to join the Open Boarders Network. 
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