Kodansha and LFC Foundation's Creative Works Program Wins Silver at UK Football Business Awards

Kodansha announced that 'Creative Works,' a collaborative program with the LFC Foundation, received the Silver Award in the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Scheme category at the Football Business Awards 2026, held in London on May 15, 2026.

The Football Business Awards is a prestigious UK ceremony honoring exceptional efforts by football clubs, businesses, and organizations. It highlights activities beyond on-pitch results, including club management, social responsibility, partnerships, and fan engagement. The Best Corporate Social Responsibility Scheme category recognizes outstanding CSR initiatives by corporate entities.

'Creative Works' is a program launched by the LFC Foundation and Kodansha to support youth creativity and career development. Operating in Liverpool and New York, it has engaged over 400 young participants and provided over 8,000 hours of sessions to date.

The program offers youth opportunities to explore creative industries, including publishing, editing, photography, video, art, and storytelling. In Liverpool, participants have been involved in LFC's content production, conducting player interviews, creating art, and learning from professionals in the club's commercial department. Kodansha editors and creative staff have also participated, sharing their expertise in publishing, editing, and narrative building.

As part of 'Creative Works,' students from local schools in Liverpool designed seats for Anfield, with the finished pieces later displayed in the stadium's fan zone.

The Best Corporate Social Responsibility Scheme category included football clubs and organizations deeply rooted in their communities, such as Stockport County FC, Brighton & Hove Albion FC, and Everton FC. Kodansha and the LFC Foundation consider this Silver Award recognition for the significance of their efforts in fostering creativity and confidence in young people.

The LFC Foundation also won the 'Best Football Community Scheme – Premier League & Championship Clubs' award, highlighting their significant contributions off the pitch.

Matt Parish, CEO of the LFC Foundation, commented: 'We are incredibly proud that Creative Works has been recognized in this way. Our partnership with Kodansha, as the club’s official partner, demonstrates what can be achieved when a partnership moves beyond traditional sponsorship and is rooted in shared values and purpose. Through Creative Works, we are providing young people—who might have felt a career in the creative industries was out of their reach—the chance to experience that world and think about their future possibilities.'

Kodansha, guided by its global purpose 'Inspire Impossible Stories,' believes that stories have the power to broaden imagination and help people discover their own voices and possibilities. Creative Works serves as an initiative that empowers youth to value their own ideas and take their next steps, embodying the power of stories and creativity that Kodansha has always cherished.

Kodansha will continue its commitment to expanding opportunities for young people through its partnership with Liverpool FC and the LFC Foundation.