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ACT in action on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro

Since ACT's inception, over 200 causes around the world have benefitted from an ACT Community Grant.

We caught up with one charity in Brazil to capture an ACT grant in action. Projecto Grão de Areia (Project Grain of Sand) is a community sports charity based in Rio de Janeiro which offers free beach football sessions in various municipalities of the city.

In December 2023, MDS Brasil colleague, Jorge Ribeiro, nominated Grão de Areia for an ACT grant. Jorge had seen first-hand the incredible power of bringing young people together in a setting fuelled by community spirit and inclusion, with the sessions open to any youth in the surrounding areas.

The Projecto Grão de Areia team, including Head Coach, Marcelo, and MDS Brasil colleague, Jorge, on the beach in their fantastic kit!

The £5,000 ACT Community Grant enabled the charity to expand its offering even further, to Copacabana beach, and as you'll see from the kit, there's some familiar Ardonagh branding on the new kit with both ACT and MDS proudly on the bibs.

What impressed me most about the project is the careful approach to the human being, to the socio-environment, to taking care of the child from their very first steps at Projecto Grão de Areia. In sports education, in socio-emotional support, it is fundamental for them to have a better life day-to-day.
Jorge Ribeiro, Commercial Manager, MDS Brasil, Ardonagh Global Partners

Watch this video to hear from Marcelo Mendes, Head Coach, alongside further members of the charity, and MDS colleague, Jorge, as they explain how ACT funding has enabled Grão de Areia to reach even more young people on the sands of Rio de Janeiro and the difference beach football makes to young people involved.

I believe that in the long term what I want is for these young people, these children, to become better citizens so that we can have a better Rio de Janeiro, a better Brazil and a better world in the future.
Marcelo Mendes, President and General Coodinator, Projecto Grão de Areia

How ACT grants support the causes that matter to our people

To date, ACT has donated £900,000+ in grants to over 200 charities around the world – all nominated by Ardonagh colleagues.

The ACT Community Grant programme is open to all Ardonagh employees, no matter where they are based globally, to apply for up to £5,000 (or equivalent local currency) towards a charity with a project in need of funding.

Since 2017, ACT has awarded funding to causes ranging from mental health support groups in Scotland, to judo youth sessions in São Paulo and a community kitchen in Gibraltar. Through our colleagues' unique connection to the communities they are part of, we have the privilege of giving back around the world.

Learn more ACT gives back throughout the year