MIES (Switzerland) - FIBA's globally recognized Her World, Her Rules (HWHR) initiative is destined for a record-breaking 2025 after an impressive 86 National Federations, including six new applicants, granted funding following this year's application process. This will ensure the grassroots participation program, one of FIBA's most renowned initiatives, posts its biggest year ever, while continuing to be a key driver of FIBA's strategic priority - Women in Basketball. This year also marks the fifth anniversary of Her World, Her Rules going global in the wake of its pilot launch in Europe during 2018, which was met with strong enthusiasm and served as a launchpad for the worldwide rollout. Highly distinctive and promoted via social media channels, Her World, Her Rules advocates for women's and girls' basketball globally through various activities delivered in partnership with FIBA's Regional Offices and National Federations around the world.
It focuses strongly on girls in primary and secondary school education between the ages of 6 and 15 that are yet to play basketball regularly.
The impact since the start of the Her World, Her Rules movement has been remarkable, with 180,098 girls reached through the program. Of these, some 102,343 girls directly participated with on-the-ground activities, while a total of 17,187 adults engaged via National Federations in their roles as coaches, teachers, and volunteers. Meanwhile, 256 players past and present have all served as HWHR ambassadors, with legendary players such as Alba Torrens, Emma Meesseman, Breanna Stewart, and FIBA Players' Commission Deputy Chair Sonja Vasic, all having given their endorsement. Five years into the initiative at the global level, more and more National Federations are tapping into the importance of delivering at key moments to maximize engagement opportunities.
Many are now aligning HWHR activities with International Women’s Day and International Girls’ Day, as well as national team home games, which gives girls a chance to connect directly with their basketball idols and role models. The most common activities implemented by National Federations and likely to continue throughout 2025 and beyond are open-door basketball practices and camps, 3x3 festivals, school-based programs, and Mini Basketball sessions. Having had their respective bids reviewed and approved, National Federations from all Regions have had their funding from FIBA approved for the 2025 period. Those new to the HWHR project are Liberia, Argentina, Paraguay, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Bhutan, and New Caledonia.
Europe operates on a different Her World, Her Rules timeline compared to the rest of the FIBA regions, in order to align with other existing funding programs. The European model is structured in a two-year cycle, with National Federations having been allocated funding last year to include all activities running up until June 2026.
The next round of funding will be open to applications at the end of the 2025 calendar year. To find out more, use the #HerWorldHerRules or #HWHR on social media, or click here. You can also join the community on social media here. FIBA