Playing For Change: Uniting the World Through Music and Education

What is Playing For Change?

Playing For Change is more than just music. It’s a movement that believes deeply in the power of music to break down barriers, connect people from all walks of life, and spark positive change across the globe. This project isn’t just about songs; it’s about inspiring and connecting the world through the universal language of music. Whether it’s a street musician in one country or a classroom full of students in another, Playing For Change brings everyone together through rhythm and melody.

Main Benefits and Key Facts

Playing For Change has made a remarkable impact in the Film, TV & music production industry, boasting a B Corp score of 122.9. Here are some key highlights:

• Focus on Arts Education and Music as tools for social change
• Popular video categories include Songs Around The World, Live Outside, and Producer’s Journey
• Strong emphasis on community and cultural connection through music
• Foundation programs active in countries like Nepal, Ghana, Costa Rica, Rwanda, Mexico, Bangladesh, and more
• Engages audiences worldwide with documentaries and behind-the-scenes content

Discovering the Videos and Stories

One of the coolest things about Playing For Change is how it organizes its content. You can dive into a variety of video categories that showcase the magic of music from different angles. From “Songs Around The World,” which captures global musical talents, to “Live Outside,” featuring spontaneous street performances, there’s always something fresh to explore. The “Producer’s Journey” and “Behind The Song” series give a peek into the creative process, while documentaries tell deeper stories about the movement and its impact.

Playing For Change Foundation Programs

The heart of the project lies in its Foundation, which runs music education programs in some of the world’s most underserved communities. These initiatives are changing mentalities and opening doors in places like Udayapur, Nepal, and Tamale, Ghana. Students in these programs don’t just learn music—they experience empowerment and hope. From the Cahuita Music Program in Costa Rica to the Ubuntu Music Program in Rwanda, each initiative is a testament to how music can transform lives and build bridges across cultures.

Inspiring Stories from Around the Globe

The stories behind the students and communities involved are truly inspiring. Take Halik and Saumet from Tamale, Ghana, for example—young musicians whose lives have been touched by the power of music education. Or the Tintale Village in Nepal, where the Foundation’s work is reshaping futures. These narratives aren’t just about music; they’re about resilience, culture, and the human spirit coming alive through art.

Project Impact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Quality Education (SDG 4) – Providing access to arts education in underserved communities
• Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10) – Breaking down social and cultural barriers through music
• Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16) – Promoting unity and understanding worldwide
• Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17) – Collaborating globally to create positive change
• Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) – Supporting mental health through creative expression

Engaging with the PFC Blog

The Playing For Change blog adds another layer to the experience, sharing stories that celebrate music’s role in culture and education. From exploring the crossroads of music and heritage in Thailand to honoring trailblazing women in the music industry, the blog keeps the conversation alive. It highlights how peer teaching is transforming girls’ education and even revisits classic songs like “Fly Like An Eagle” with fresh perspectives. It’s a space where music meets storytelling, inspiring readers to see the world through a different lens.

What Playing For Change actually does

Playing For Change, founded in 2002 by Grammy-winning producer Mark Johnson and Whitney Kroenke, connects musicians worldwide through recorded collaborations, with its nonprofit arm, the Playing For Change Foundation (founded 2007), running 37 music and arts education programs across 26 countries.

“Playing For Change, that’s the way music was meant to be.”

Keith Richards

Where the programs run

• Named music schools: Bizung School of Music and Dance (Ghana), Ubuntu Music Program (Rwanda), L’Ecole de Musique de Kirina (Mali)
• Refugee and conflict-affected communities: Zaatari Music Program (Jordan), Khlong Toey Music Program (Thailand)
• Indigenous communities: Wicahpi Olowan Music Program at Pine Ridge, USA

Proof, not just claims

Programs individually serve 60 to 900 youth each week.

Why this belongs on a sustainability directory

Playing For Change’s 37 music and arts education programs across 26 countries, reaching thousands of youth weekly in refugee, indigenous and conflict-affected communities, is a directly measured SDG 4 (Quality Education) case, reinforced by its B Corp certification and testimonials from participants like a 16-year-old at the BidiBidi refugee settlement in Uganda who said music helped her “not feel like a refugee anymore.”