In 2023, Formula One teamed up with UNICEF to help tackle one of the world’s biggest challenges: the global education crisis. The organization committed to a three-year partnership, making a commitment to helping millions of vulnerable children gain access to quality education, no matter where they live.

According to UNICEF, 70% of 10-year-olds globally cannot read or understand a simple story. This statistic is made worse by pandemic-related school closures, limited internet access and ongoing humanitarian crises. 

Formula One’s contribution hopes to help close this gap, starting with expanding access to UNICEF’s Learning Passport, which is a digital and offline education platform that supports learning continuity for children in over two dozen countries. With the support of the F1 organization, the goal is to expand it to 40 countries, including underserved communities in places like Brazil and Mexico. F1 has huge meaning to people around the world, and the organization is looking for ways in which they can give back to the communities that love racing.

In a statement about the collaboration, F1 CEO Stefano Dominicali says, “This partnership with UNICEF allows us to use our global platform to help bridge the educational divide experienced by the world’s most vulnerable children.” Global sports like F1 have a reach far beyond the bounds of their competitive arenas and can do a lot for organizations like UNICEF. 

Beyond corporate social responsibility, supporting educational causes can help to bring up the next generations of leaders in engineering and other STEM fields, which plays to Formula One’s strengths. At its core, F1 is a sport built on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Through UNICEF, F1 is helping provide children with the tools to participate in STEM education, preparing them for careers in industries they may never have dreamed of. Just like watching and playing sports, learning is for everyone.

But the partnership goes beyond long-term development. F1 is additionally contributing to UNICEF’s Emergency Fund, which provides immediate support to children affected by war, natural disasters or displacement. This includes temporary learning spaces, trauma-informed education programs and school supplies.

Fans are also invited to be part of the mission! At select Grand Prix events, UNICEF volunteers will be present to raise awareness and collect donations. Supporters can also contribute directly through the UNICEF website.

Formula One’s partnership with UNICEF highlights how global entertainment platforms can be engines of real, lasting change. 

“Formula 1 | UNICEF.” UNICEF, http://www.unicef.org/formula-1#:~:text=Formula%201%20and%20UNICEF%20partner,vulnerable%20children%20access%20quality%20education. 

“Charities Supported by Formula 1 – Formula One World Championship Limited.” Formula One, Formula One, corp.formula1.com/charities-supported-by-formula-1/.