One pitch for people and planet in Brazil’s Caatinga
adidas and Common Goal team up for an environmental project in Brazil
In the heart of Brazil’s northeast lies the Caatinga biome, the most densely populated semi-arid dryland on the planet. Known for its scorching heat and chronic water shortages, it’s a place where resilience is a way of life.
That spirit of resilience is now fueling new opportunities in Juazeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, where love.fútbol is teaming up with adidas and Common Goal to build a space where sport becomes a gateway to climate awareness and inclusive community development.
Climate adapted infrastructure
At the centre of the project is the creation of a multi-sport, wheelchair-accessible pitch built to endure extreme heat and drought. The pitch will welcome every member of the community. Designed for football, futsal, basketball and volleyball, the pitch will feature:
A modular surface partially made from recyclable polypropylene for durable and safe for play.
A shade cloth to protect players from the intense sun and ensure year-round usability.
Solar-powered LED lights to extend access to evening hours, powered by renewable energy.
A 16,000-litre rainwater harvesting cistern, helping the community conserve water and better manage drought conditions.
Sustainability education through sport
The pitch is a classroom. Through the Football and Environmental Education in the Caatinga programme, love.fútbol will deliver an engaging, localised curriculum that merges play with purpose.
Built on a community methodology proven across more than 60 communities on five continents, the programme will focus on:
- Environmental literacy and raising awareness of local and global issues such as water conservation, climate change, and the ecological importance of the Caatinga.
- Promotion of gender equality, anti-racism, peace, and mental health through team-based learning.
- Developing both football skills and motor coordination through twice-weekly, one-hour sessions.
Importantly, the programme will also elevate local young leaders, who will support educators as monitors by giving them hands-on experience and the tools to become community educators themselves.
Example of a love.fútbol community pitch
Community management for long-term impact
Beyond construction, the project is designed to be community-led. Local residents will be involved from day one, in the building process as well as the long-term care and governance of the space.
Through climate-resilient infrastructure, environmental education, and community-driven management, this eco-pitch is a beacon of resilience, creativity, and climate action in one of Brazil’s most challenging environments.
