About us

Welcome to We’re Different – where we champion diversity, empower communities, and drive positive change through social research, community empowerment and sport.

Spotlight

Ivan Liburd, Sport and Community Consultant

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Ivan Liburd is a passionate advocate for sustainability, community leadership, and equality through sports. Through various working roles, Ivan has lead initiatives addressing knife crime, serious violence, and hate crime, developing city-wide strategies and engaging with multi-sector partners to create community resilience.

Ivan has presented extensively on climate justice, engaging with organisations such as the United Nations, De Montfort University and has developed a comprehensive Net Zero Strategy for Leicester Nirvana FC. His work encompasses research, advocacy, and project development, including initiatives that empower youth and optimise climate justice.

Ivan is working to reduce the carbon footprint of Leicester Nirvana Football club, promote social equity in grassroots football, campaign to challenge racism in football, co-design heritage projects, and consults as a community leader across the country.

His contributions have been acknowledged with several club awards and successes:

National Grassroots Club of the Year: Leicester Nirvana FC

Football Blacklist Award Winner - Ivan Liburd

BASIS Award Winner for Partnership of the Year: De Montfort University and Leicester Nirvana FC

BASIS Award Runner up for Rising Star Award - Ivan Liburd

Sport Positive Shortlist for Community Initiative: Leicester Nirvana FC

Sport England Case Study for Climate Justice: Leicester Nirvana FC

Annual speaker for the FIFA Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport management course at De Montfort University

Active Partnerships Conference key note speaker

National Community Leaders Programme Consultant

Community Leaders Mentor

Re/Action Festival - Heritage and sustainability social action project: Leicester Nirvana FC