Unity & Inclusion
Unity & Inclusion
Unity & Inclusion (U&I) is a living archive of a lifetime of work in social impact, community, non-profit and charitable activities. Founded by George Lista, it brings together projects, campaigns, causes and initiatives pursued across communities and borders — work driven by a visceral response to injustice and a profound empathy for those experiencing cruelty and suffering.
Providing multidisciplinary support to organisations and initiatives, whilst also designing and delivering its own charitable and community projects, working across local, national and international initiatives including homelessness and HIV prevention.
In 2009, George became involved with the South Africa Homeless World Cup team, negotiating sponsorship after funding for their travel to Milan fell through. The social enterprise he had founded in England became co-sponsor alongside Ambition 24 Hours South Africa, while George provided mentoring support to players. The team went on to win the Milan City Cup and was received at Parliament in Cape Town by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. The experience became a catalyst for George’s subsequent focus on supporting sport-for-good organisations internationally.
In The Gambia, George provided leadership and project-management support to a grassroots charity working across education, healthcare and vulnerable communities. As interim chair, he helped direct scarce resources towards priorities including the construction of a school, refurbishment of a medical clinic, support for orphanages and essential supplies. The project went on to receive recognition from local leaders and government, including presidential acknowledgement connected to Millennium Development Goals achievements.
George developed the first eco-art activism education initiative in the UK using large-scale collaborative art to bring environmental activism into classrooms and the wider community. The artwork was displayed in schools and public spaces, creating a highly visible community experience that achieved unprecedented cross-party, cross-sector and cross-community engagement and support.
Unity & Inclusion has contributed to a wide range of causes and communities in the UK and internationally. Spanning community development; sport and social change; environmental and creative education; animal welfare; humanitarian and international initiatives; education and career opportunities; and projects designed to strengthen collaboration between organisations and communities.
Homelessness provides one of the clearest examples of the depth and evolution of this work. George’s involvement has included lived experience, direct support, work with organisations supporting people experiencing homelessness, and later recognition of his perspective as an Expert by Experience on an evaluation panel for a £22m UK government inter-ministerial fund for Homelessness Transition.
George authored a Sexual Health Testing & Education in Sport project that was showcased internationally at ACTHIV 2010 — the American Conference for the Treatment of HIV — an international professional platform with the shared goal of saving lives. The project used the reach and accessibility of sport to challenge barriers to sexual health testing and contributed to a global exchange of knowledge and practice around HIV prevention, testing and treatment.
He also co-founded the Sussex Caribbean & African HIV Prevention Network in collaboration with community organisations and HIV and sexual-health providers including Brighton NHS PCT and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, building a coordinated public-health network around a specific community need: to reduce infection and morbidity rates among hard-to-reach groups across Sussex by improving access to testing and early diagnosis, addressing the barriers and stigma that can prevent people from engaging with traditional sexual-health services.
In Portugal, George supported a youth futsal project serving disadvantaged young people, securing funding and helping develop its sporting, educational and social impact. The project went on to win national honours, develop players towards professional and international football, and earned George an Institutional Medal of Merit.
In Morocco, George helped establish a Homeless World Cup-approved street-football organisation, creating opportunities for highly marginalised people to participate in international football. He supported players facing significant barriers around documentation, housing, health, education and employment, and represented the nation at the 2012 Homeless World Cup in Mexico City. Sustained support helped participants address housing, health and education needs towards their independence.
As a catalyst for change, George brings people and organisations together — building partnerships, connecting expertise and resources, and helping expand their reach and capacity.