Everything starts with a dream
Karanba was founded in Rio de Janeiro in 2006 by former professional football player Tommy Nilsen. The project's ambitious goal is to change lives.
Through continuous growth, measurable results, and over fifteen years of operation, the project has proven its relevance and sustainability.
Tommy has received several awards for his work with Karanba in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including the 'Pride of Rio' (Orgulho do Rio) medal in 2011 from the Brazilian newspaper 'O Dia.' For Tommy, 'Karanba' is a play on the word 'Caramba,' which best describes what he felt when he first experienced the enormous social and economic differences in Brazil."
Lidiane (18 years old), a Karanba participant since 2017, signs a professional contract with the Portuguese club Damaiense.
2022
Our commitment to Gender & Race Equity is reflected in the organization, with 49% of our 43 employees being women. We also participate in the Norway Cup with a girls' team.
We reach the milestone of having assisted 10,000 participants since our inception in 2006. During the year, 92 participants gain opportunities for higher education, professional vocational courses, and/or formal employment.
We have implemented the environmental program.
2021
After a year of inactivity on the field, activities are reopened with good infection control protocols in place
We are starting the production of our own documentary 'Karanba - Made in Brazil', which follows our girls in their daily lives and in the dream of winning the Norway Cup 2022.
2020
Our food program guarantees food for approximately 200 families.
Despite the pandemic, our psychologists, social workers, and educators work closely with our participants and their families through uncertain times.
Through the Sports Incentive Law, partnerships are formed with Enel (state-owned) and Statkraft
2019
Karanba gets its first two Brazilian partners, Itau and Enel, on board.
Two books about Karanba participants and their stories are published: "Journey of Life" and "Journey of Success."
2018
For the second time, Karanba travels to Norway with a girls' team. This time to play the pre-match game before the Rematch between Norway 1998 x Brazil 1998 at Ullevaal Stadium.
As a result of long-term investment in education and girls, Karanba achieves a female participation rate of 35% in daily activities.
2017
Karanba enters into collaboration with Wang Elite Sports High School
Our focus on educational programs and support tutoring yields good results. Over half of the children significantly improve their school grades.
26 of our participants change their lives through higher education, professional vocational courses, professional football careers, and decent employment. In total, 13 educated sailors now have permanent jobs at Solstad Offshore in Brazil.
2016
During the Olympics in Rio, Karanba emerges as a Norwegian-Brazilian focal point. Karanba receives large Norwegian delegations from all sectors of Norwegian business at the base in Sao Goncalo.
Two former participants make their debut on the Brazilian U16 national team.
Our focus on education yields good results. 34 participants change their lives through opportunities provided by Karanba, including our second cohort with an additional 8 educated sailors.
Our boys U17 team wins the State Championship in Rio (Series B) for the third time.
2015
Karanba invests in two new classrooms and continues to develop a strong Brazilian organization prioritizing investment in education.
Karanba is part of the program during Crown Prince Haakon of Norway's official visit to Rio de Janeiro.
We have our first participant with a soccer scholarship to the USA. Priscila continues her education at a college in the USA.
Our girls win bronze in the State Championship in Rio.
2014
Karanba hosts and organizes the FIFA/Adidas 'Football For Hope' event with participation from 50 social projects from Brazil.
The 'Cinderela project' is launched as a campaign where we actively collaborate with local schools to recruit more girls.
Former participant, Darlan, makes his debut on the Flamengo senior team.
The Karanba Institute executes its first project submitted to the Sports Incentive Law in Brazil.
2013
Karanba professionalizes its operations with new articles of association and its own board, and becomes a member of Innsamlingskontrollen (Norwegian Fundraising Control).
Karanba enters into a collaboration with the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and receives support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and FIFA/Football For Hope.
Karanba educates its first group of 5 sailors. All of them secure jobs at Farstad Shipping ASA in Brazil.
Our women's team takes their first international trip. In Scandinavia, Karanba wins the Dana Cup (Denmark) and the Norway Cup.
2012
Karanba organizes a favela visit and a friendly match for the Norwegian delegation attending the Rio+20 conference.
Karanba reaches a milestone with a total of over 1,000 registered participants. Karanba also develops its first business plan and its own sponsorship program.
Karanba wins the Dana Cup in Hjørring, Denmark.
Solstad Offshore invites Karanba to Skudeneshavn to participate in the HTF Elite Tournament.
Karanba develops its first business plan and its own sponsorship program.
2011
The first participant from Karanba signs an overseas contract in Qatar.
Karanba enters into long-term sponsorship agreements with Statoil, Aker Solutions, Solstad Offshore, and Farstad Shipping.
Karanba establishes a base in Sao Goncalo. This becomes a cornerstone for Karanba's long-term strategy to inspire participants to focus on their education.
Karanba expands the age range from 6 to 20 years and extends to recruit girls.
Karanba wins all tournaments: the Norway Cup, Dana Cup, and Gothia Cup. Massimo Picone's 'Rio Lusaka Gothenburg,' documenting the tournament victory in Sweden, is screened at the film and documentary festival in Naples.
Karanba's founder, Tommy Nilsen, receives the 'Pride of Rio' award from the prestigious newspaper 'O Dia' for his work with Karanba. Karanba becomes the focal point at the world's largest football expo, Soccerex, in Rio de Janeiro.
Karanba becomes the centerpiece at the world's largest football expo, SoccerEx, in Rio de Janeiro.
2010
Karanba's work in changing the lives of children and youth in Brazil becomes nationally recognized through its own TV series on NRK. The documentary is later nominated for the Gullruten award in two categories.
The book 'Karanba - Football for Life!' is published.
Karanba wins the world's two largest football tournaments, the Norway Cup and the Gothia Cup, for the first time.
Karanba's founder, Tommy Nilsen, is awarded the NÆ Prize for "his ability to inspire others to think with the heart".
2009
Karanba once again wins the PlussbankCup and the Cup No. 1 tournaments.
Tellus Works and NRK invite Karanba to produce a documentary series.
2008
Karanba secures its first corporate sponsors.
Karanba wins the PlussbankCup in Kristiansand and the Cup No. 1 tournament in Denmark for the first time.
2007
Karanba embarks on its first journey in Norway to Gol, Oslo, and the Norway Cup.
The volunteer association Karanba Norway is founded with the aim of raising financial resources for the operations in Brazil.
2006
Start-up: Karanba organizes its first activities for boys aged 11-15 from favelas in Rio de Janeiro.