Apr 24, 2024 · 5 min read
It has been 2 years since the Fiers & Forts Skatepark was built at the children's home 'Centre Fiers & Forts' in Tamesloht, Morocco. In those 2 years, this beautiful skatepark project has blossomed: it has become an integral part of the operations of the Center, and the life of the village around it: more than 250 children have participated to the 650+ sessions that have taken place at the skatepark, ranging from skate sessions to educational workshops and contests.
Nov 24, 2023 · 8 min read
We unpacked how the thriving and exceptional work of our local partners and teams has accumulated in the establishment of robust, community-led, and locally registered non-profit organizations implementing change within their own communities. These organizations run their local skateparks and collectively impact hundreds of children on a weekly basis through the power of skateboarding.
Nov 14, 2023 · 5 min read
The communal aspect of skateboarding has always fascinated me. No matter where you go in the world, you'll find like-minded individuals, make new friends, and be welcomed with open arms. In our last blog, you will read how this welcoming, near-universal language of skateboarding is the starting point for CJF in working with skateboarding communities to address societal challenges within each skatepark location and beyond.
Nov 07, 2023 · 7 min read
Seven years ago, Concrete Jungle Foundation (CJF) was born from a shared love for skateboarding. Without a concrete plan or established model, as well as limited resources, the organization began with two friends who had a common experience of the transformative power of skateboarding and a desire to share it with others.
July 18, 2023 · 9 min read
Skateboarding gives us the capacity to be the best at learning new things as long as we get passionate about it. By growing up with perseverance to try over and over until we succeed, we are not scared by failure as we learn to embrace the fall, knowing eventually we will rise. As we also know we need to put in the work to achieve anything worthwhile.
May 8, 2023 · 3 min read
These are the words from scholar and activist Indigo Willing taking part in the second International Conference on the Culture, History and Politics of Surfing and Skateboarding at San Diego State University over the weekend of April 20th 2023.
Apr 28, 2023 · 7 min read
When Kamal first met CJF, he wasn't part of the skateboarding community or ever engaged in working with youth. He was a committed worker and was looking for new job opportunities that would allow him to offer his family stability and well-being.
Mar 21, 2023 · 3 min read
The Network offers a space for exchange that allows us to analyze the impact from a multilateral perspective. This not only guarantees more effective monitoring of the collective work as a network but is also an opportunity for learning and improvement that, in 2022, resulted in 100+ new life-skill-focused activity ideas to be included in our 2023 Edu-Skate curriculum.
Dec 29, 2022 · 4 min read
Luis Petersen talks about his thesis on the impact of the CJF Freedom Skatepark 2+ years after it was first built in Bull Bay, Jamaica. Here are his findings.
Dec 26, 2022 · 4 min read
Following up on our latest announcement about our construction apprentice Jhikson Akamine Garcia enrolling in the design course with the Skatepark School, we would like to introduce you to their mission to train skateboarders into the specific craft that is skatepark designing.
Dec 21, 2022 · 5 min read
We are very happy to announce that one of CJF’s previous apprentices, Jhikson Akamine Garcia from Peru, has been awarded a grant to attend a skatepark design course from pioneering school, The Skatepark School, an online training school created by industry professionals from Australia for anyone looking to get into the particular craft of skatepark design.
Dec 8, 2022 · 4 min read
Tim van Asdonck is referring to life-lessons from the CJF Edu-Skate curriculum. Rather than sprinkle skate sessions and tricks with the occasional comment from teachers on what skateboarding can teach us about life, CJF decided to choose what they thought were the most impactful life-lessons related to skateboarding and create lessons around them.
Nov 14, 2022 · 3 min read
We're inviting new Trustees to join our board. As we move from 2022–2023, here’s a recap of our achievements and who we're looking to collaborate with.
Nov 8, 2022 · 5 min read
Concrete Jungle Foundation starts with skateboarding but we do #MoreThanSkateparks. Once built, our ongoing activities and youth programmes have a far more significant impact on the communities we serve.
Oct 24, 2022 · 3 min read
Former CJF skate teacher and psychologist Leyla tells us how skateboarding has made a difference to her and the children at the skatepark in Peru.
Oct 10, 2022 · 5 min read
We’ve launched two Women’s Leadership Awards in 2022 to further female empowerment through skateboarding in local communities, meet our Jamaica winner Kayla.
Oct 5, 2022 · 2 min read
We’ve launched two Women’s Leadership Awards in 2022 to further female empowerment through skateboarding in local communities, meet our Peru winner Arissa.
Sep 26, 2022 · 2 min read
CJF awarded £1000 to two women in Peru and Jamaica who’ve made a difference at our community skateparks.
Aug 31, 2022 · 4 min read
Edu-Skate teacher Kayla Wheeler reflects on the first all-girls skateboarding event in Jamaica — hosted at CJF's Freedom Skatepark on August 13, 2022.
Aug 22, 2022 · 4 min read
In 2017, Peruvian children who had never seen a skateboard before were given one for the first time thanks to the Concrete Jungle Foundation’s Edu-Skate Programme. Now, some of them are shredding the local streets.
May 31, 2022 · 6 min read
After a year and a half of COVID-19 reality, four months of planning, two planes and one night spent in Toronto airport, my dream filled with anxiety-induced anticipation has come true. A frosty aluminium box has successfully transported me from a gloomy temperate London into a tropical dreamland.
Feb 25, 2022 · 3 min read
It’s finally time to announce our next project - and it's beginning already next month! This time we’ll be heading to the outskirts of Marrakech, Morocco, to build a skatepark and start youth programmes for the children and youth of a local orphanage.
Jan 6, 2022 · 1 min read
Clown in Action is a Community Interest Company and movement started by Clown Skateboards. Born out of the hearts of UK skateboarding, they focus on making practical commitments to organisations and individuals across the world, seeing them through, and realising the outcomes of these shared collective actions.
Dec 13, 2021 · 3 min read
My name is Jhikson Norman Taru Akamine Garcia. I was born on January 7, 2000, in Trujillo, northern Peru. When I was fourteen, my older neighbour gave me his board and I started skating. That unquestionably changed the course of my life.
Jun 23, 2021 · 2 min read
Our June residency at Stranded FM was broadcasted from the Caribbean shoreline of Bull Bay, Jamaica. Over three months we are working with Concrete Jungle Foundation on an ambitious research project to record the impact of The Freedom Skatepark one year after construction.
May 28, 2021 · 4 min read
A year after they started skateboarding, we caught up with the Energetic Nomads, the first group of graduates from the Edu-Skate Programme at the Freedom Skatepark. They have grown into a close-knit group that spends most of their days together. Get to know the group better through the following group interview.
Apr 14, 2021 · 3 min read
Concrete Jungle Foundation wouldn’t exist without The Skateroom. Period. The Skateroom’s slogan is ‘Art for Social Impact’ - and that’s exactly what they do. They’re one of those rare social businesses that truly create value out of passion. Throughout the past few years, this Belgian social entrepreneurial venture has been the lifeblood of our charity. They’ve supported us all the way back from 2018.
Mar 26, 2021 · 4 min read
In this interview Emilio Rodriguez gives us insight into his own journey with skateboarding and his projects with CJF Peru. Emilio is a passionate skater, originally from Huancayo, Peru, who has been working with CJF Peru for over a year. He has been helpful with a little bit of everything: relations with local governments and other NGOs, programme management and as an Edu-Skate teacher.
Mar 24, 2021 · 8 min read
Antidote is a French company committed to community and rooted in the DIY mindset. And while the company itself is pretty young, the guys behind it have been involved in builds all around the world for decades. In fact, Pierre the co-founde was building skateparks in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil back before CJF existed.
Mar 20, 2021 · 4 min read
Today we get to know the person behind all the pictures from Peru shared on CJF’s platforms. Since the beginning, Jesus has been documenting CJF’s Peru journey and capturing the essence of the work we do through his lense.
Mar 11, 2021 · 1 min read
Today we’re thrilled to announce a formal partnership with our longest standing friends in the skatepark construction space: New Line Skateparks! New Line’s organizational maxim is ‘Building Skateboarding, Building Community’. And they stick to it. Over the past few decades they haven’t only become one of the most successful skatepark companies in North America.
Mar 10, 2021 · 2 min read
In December 2020, the CJF Peru team made a week-long trip around four cities in northern Peru to spread the positive seeds of skateboarding. Throughout 8 days on the road the team hosted free skateboarding workshops for kids and best-trick contests for the local skaters in Chiclayo, Piura, Lobitos and Trujillo.
Mar 2, 2021 · 5 min read
Alfonso a.k.a. “Foncho” is the longest standing member of the CJF Peru team, and this interview shows why. His love and dedication to skateboarding is proven both on and off the board. Foncho has experienced first-hand how important it is to get up after falling down. And to stay positive, in life as in skateboarding. Listen up, here’s a thoroughly true skater.
Feb 18, 2021 · 5 min read
Every crew has this one certain person that you can always count on – whatever it is, whenever you call, whatever you’re asking for – this person will be there for you. Jhikson is this special person in CJF Perú, having helped out whenever there was need and desperation.
Feb 11, 2021 · 6 min read
Arissa Moreno Ruiz is one of those selflessly driven human beings that just get things done. She’s a local from Trujillo, she’s 26-years old, and she’s the newly appointed Country Manager of CJF Peru. We sat down with her to talk about the Cerrito de la Virgen project location, which she will be managing once construction is done. Sit back, relax and learn more about CJF Peru.
Jan 28, 2021 · 5 min read
Today Concrete Jungle Foundation is launching a new campaign: to build two skateparks and youth spaces for children in Northern Peru.Upon completion of the facilities we’re together set to reach over 300 kids through our youth programmes, as well as provide a safe haven and social hub for hundreds more.
Jan 25, 2021 · 3 min read
Concrete Jungle Foundation has sought to spread the positive values inherent to skateboarding for almost half a decade now. With the spread of COVID-19 and the subsequent toll it’s taken on many people’s mental health, ...
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Oct 7, 2020 · 1 min read
Concrete Jungle Foundation (CJF) is looking for a part-time intern to join the organisation with tasks related to development, fundraising and communications...
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Oct 2, 2020 · 2 min read
On Friday, March 13th, six and a half months ago, we did our usual closing circle at “La Rampa,” our skate ramp in Cerrito de La Virgen, Huanchaco. This circle is one of our favorite times during an Edu-Skate lesson because both kids and volunteers have the opportunity to share what they learned and how they felt that day ...
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Sep 26, 2020 · 6 min read
Much will be written about the fundamental global changes ushered in by the emergence of COVID-19. Overnight this international health emergency forcefully inserted itself into the everyday, ironically serving as a reminder of the interconnected delicateness of human existence ...
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Sep 18, 2020 · 4 min read
I was nervous, battling second thoughts of even going. What if I dislike the work? What if I can’t do what’s required? Life can be beautiful even if you don't feel completely comfortable, I tell myself ...
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Apr 27, 2020 · Pictures
The Freedom Skatepark explained, browse to the best pictures taken during the Freedom Skatepak build.
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Feb 13, 2020 · 3 min read
The Planting Seeds Apprenticeship Programme will provide hands-on training to disadvantaged young adults in job-specific, entrepreneurial and digital skills in the form of paid apprenticeships. Targeted skill areas include ...
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Oct 1, 2019 · 1 min read
As anyone involved in the non-profit world will tell you, fundraising is challenging. At CJF, we’re constantly on the lookout for innovative ways to secure the resources necessary to support the communities we work with. And to that end ...
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Sep 27, 2019 · 4 min read
In February 2020 a group of 25 international volunteers will link up with Jamaican skateboarders to build Kingston’s very first skatepark, as well as a community centre attached to it...
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Jan 23, 2019 · Pictures
The Luanda Skatepark explained, browse to the best pictures taken during the Luanda Skatepak build.
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Dec 17, 2018 · 3 min read
On December 9th, 2018, the first skatepark of Angola was opened in the capital city of Luanda, marking the end of five weeks of construction. With speeches, skate clinics, competitions,...
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Oct 15, 2018 · 4 min read
In November 2018 some twenty individuals from all over the world will gather in Luanda, Angola for a month and a half. With power tools, boards, and blueprints in hand, they will team up with a crew of local youth...
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Apr 27, 2017 · Pictures
The Alto-Trujillo Skatepark explained, browse to the best pictures taken during the Alto Trujillo Skatepak build.
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