Safer Play – Safeguarding in Sport for Development

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Worlwide
Start date 03/01/2022
End date 05/31/2023
Cost of the project €140,044
Foundation funding €140,044
Project identifier 20210464
Partners Streetfootballworld
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Conflict victims - Gender Equality - Strengthening partnerships

Context

Throughout the world, more and more organisations are using sport as an effective development tool to meet targets related to education, social inclusion, child protection and empowerment. However, it must be accompanied by high-quality safeguarding training and robust safeguarding practices at all levels.

In 2021, the UEFA Foundation for Children and streetfootballworld took the lead in the sport-for-good sector by launching an online safeguarding course. A five-track training programme was developed in collaboration with experts to educate, support and raise the awareness of coaches, volunteers and everyone working in the sport-for-good sector.

Project content

In 2022, the online training programme will be refined and adjusted to the specific needs of those working with at-risk children and adults. All the content will be made available to all sport-for-good organisations worldwide with the aim of nurturing a global culture of mutual support in the safeguarding sector. The ‘do no harm’ principle will be at the core of each sports-based activity and regional, contextual and cultural specificities will be taken into account.

Objectives

The overall goal is to minimise intentional and unintentional harm to vulnerable groups, especially children, in sport-for-good contexts. This will be achieved by building on UEFA’s previous safeguarding initiatives to develop a certification course for all practitioners working with children and at-risk youth and with adults within the sport-for-good sector. The knowledge and training track will benefit from local expertise by engaging sport-for-good organisations working closely with children in their communities.

Project activities

  • Refining and scaling up the existing sport-for-good safeguarding certification course to reach new organisations with the aim of obtaining feedback and making further improvements and thematic additions;
  • Boosting organisational capacity by developing tools and providing workshops on organisational safeguarding structures.

Expected results

  • 150,000 at-risk youngsters will be reached indirectly by the ten organisations that complete the online certification programme and attend the organisational safeguarding workshops;
  • 150 new coaches and other sport-for-good practitioners, including youth leaders and counsellors, from ten new organisations will complete the online certification programme and take part in the workshops, gaining a qualification in safeguarding and building knowledge and skills relating to child protection;
  • The updated course will be disseminated to all of the 154 organisations in the streetfootballworld network, indirectly benefiting a total of 1.3 million at-risk youngsters.

Partner

Football for children with Down syndrome

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Russia
Start date 02/01/2022
End date 01/31/2023
Cost of the project €114,497
Foundation funding €28,046
Project identifier 20210323
Partners Syndrome of Love
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities

Context

In Russia, people with Down syndrome still face many barriers to their integration into society. It is widely recognised that sport assists social integration because it develops physical and mental abilities and improves emotional and psychological well-being. However, there are still not enough classes, clubs, coaches, methods or facilities to enable children with intellectual disabilities in Russia to participate in sports.

Project content

This project is a continuation of the 2021 project supported by the UEFA Foundation for Children. Regular football training sessions are planned for 200 children and teenagers with Down syndrome aged 7 to 18, as well as a training camp and the third interregional football competition. The Syndrome of Love foundation plans to help four regional non-profit organisations set up football training groups for children with Down syndrome. One of the long-term objectives is to set up a national football team for people with Down syndrome to compete internationally.

Objectives

  • Involve children and teenagers with Down syndrome in regular football training in five regions of Russia (including Moscow);
  • Help four regional non-profits set up football training for children with Down syndrome;
  • Improve the skills and qualifications of coaches and physical education teachers working with children with Down syndrome;
  • Demonstrate the ability of people with Down syndrome to participate in sports by creating a friendly and tolerant environment where equal rights and opportunities are supported;
  • Inform parents, coaches and university students about the importance of sports activities for children and teenagers with Down syndrome.

Project activities

  • Regular football training sessions for children and teenagers with Down syndrome;
  • Competitive selection of non-profits to receive funding to set up football training groups for children with Down syndrome;
  • Skills improvement course for coaches in adaptive physical education and organising mini-football training for children with Down syndrome;
  • Seminar for more experienced coaches;
  • Training camp for children with Down syndrome based at a sports camp in the Moscow region;
  • Third interregional football competition for children and teenagers with Down syndrome;
  • Information campaign on developing opportunities in sports for people with Down syndrome;
  • Information campaign for parents to involve as many girls as possible in sports.

Expected results

  • Six football groups for children with Down syndrome in Moscow and the other regions;
  • 200 children regularly playing football in groups;
  • 26–50% of participants involved in the project are girls;
  • 600 football training sessions for children with Down syndrome;
  • 10 coaches completed the skills improvement course;
  • 200 participants (including children, accompanying persons, coaches and organisers) in the third interregional football competition for children and teenagers with Down syndrome;
  • 200 participants in the training camp (including children, accompanying persons, coaches and organisers);
  • 1,000,000 people reached by the information campaign.

Partner

Generation Sport 2022

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Armenia
Start date 01/01/2022
End date 12/31/2022
Cost of the project €64,086
Foundation funding €55,162
Project identifier 20210723
Partners Armenian Fund for Sustainable Development
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Conflict victims - Infrastructure and equipment - Personal development

Context

This project is a follow-up to Generation Sport in 2021, which was a huge success throughout the country. In August 2021, Armenia had 1,403 schools with 368,184 pupils: 175,359 girls and 192,825 boys.

The lack of suitable equipment and the bad state of repair of the sports facilities hamper the PE classes that the children enjoy so much.

The armed conflict in 2020 took its toll on the children, who now need positive, fun experiences.

Project content

The project will promote sport among young people and encourage physical eduction throughout the country. Twenty-five schools will be selected to receive sports equipment. Events will be organised to promote sport and exercise among the school-age population. Organised meet-and-greets with sports personalities will motivate the youngsters and encourage them to fulfil their potential. The project will help promote the inclusion of disabled children in sporting activities.

Objectives

Overall objective: Promote sport and exercise among young people

Specific objective: Motivate the children and help them to fulfil their potential through the following activities:

  • Providing sports equipment for 25 schools, prioritising schools in remote regions and those with disabled pupils
  • Promoting the inclusion of disabled children through sport
  • Involving the ministry of education, science, culture and sport in organising sports competitions
  • Organising sports events

Project activities

Applications and selection

  • Launch, jury, school selection
  • Equipment purchases
  • Distribution to schools

Sports events

  • Meet-and-greets with sports celebrities
  • Promote the inclusion of disabled children
  • Sports events in schools

National school football competition

  • Promote sport
  • Award prizes

Expected results

  • At least 150 schools (over 40,000 pupils) apply for sports equipment
  • 25 schools (over 7,500 pupils) receive equipment
  • At least 10 motivational meet-and-greets, involving 1,000 youngsters
  • At least 4 sporting inclusion events, involving 200 youngsters
  • 300 brochures on the importance of sport distributed
  • 300 sports awareness posters distributed to schools

Partner

Bijzondere Eredivisie (Special Premier League)

Location and general information

Closed
Location The Netherlands
Start date 03/01/2022
End date 06/30/2023
Cost of the project €175,000
Foundation funding €75,000
Project identifier 20210337
Partners Stichting Het Gehandicapte Kind
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Personal development

Context

There are currently about 1,500 children practising disabled football in the Netherlands. Just like children without disabilities, they dream of playing for their favourite professional football club. Thanks to the Bijzondere Eredivisie, this dream can become a reality! Children with a disability are placed in the spotlight and everyone can see that it is also possible for every child to play at the highest level. We hope to inspire more children with disabilities to also play football and other sports.

Project content

The Bijzondere Eredivisie is a competition for professional football clubs who participate with their own team of disabled children. Launched in September 2019, this is the first competition in the world in which children with disabilities play for their favourite professional football club. The teams consist of 12 boys and girls of different ages and various disabilities. The teams are carefully selected, according to criteria that ensure a balanced competition.

Objectives

  • Increase the visibility of children with disabilities
  • Inspire disabled children to believe that anything is possible
  • Increase sports participation of disabled children
  • Increase awareness of disabled football in the Netherlands
  • Establish a sustainable competition, including all professional Dutch football clubs.

Project activities

  • Clubs 'scout' their own team
  • 12 clubs and 144 children take part in the competition
  • Teams train once a week at the professional club’s training ground
  • Clubs organise all kind of events for their disabled teams
  • Organisation of the competition (including transport)
  • Competition matches are held twice a month, and every professional football club hosts once per season
  • Activities are communicated on social media platforms: the teams’ own channels and those of the football clubs

Expected results

  • Children socialise and make new friends through their football clubs; especially during the pandemic it is very important for these children to have enough social interaction
  • Notable improvement in terms of the confidence and health of the disabled children
  • The players act as a catalyst for a more positive, inclusive perception of disabled children
  • More disabled children start to play football
  • Minimum of 18 professional clubs are involved in the competition within three years
  • Clubs are 50% self-financing

Partner

Football-based inclusion project for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Seville

Location and general information

Closed
Location Sevilla, Spain
Start date 02/15/2022
End date 02/15/2023
Cost of the project €121,692
Foundation funding €80,000
Project identifier 20210532
Partners Fundación Grandes Valores
Categories Access to Sport - Conflict victims - Personal development

Context

Four of Spain’s ten poorest neighbourhoods are located in Seville, where 38.6% of children are at risk or living in poverty and social exclusion. A large number of migrants also live in these neighbourhoods and are subject to exclusion and segregation. Inequality and a lack of employment opportunities have a significant negative impact on families, child development and education.

The Spanish Commission for Refugees (CEAR), the Betis Foundation and the Fútbol Más Foundation have joined forces to develop a project that creates community spaces to promote the inclusion and well-being of children and young people.

Project content

Through a socio-sports programme, the project will promote the physical and mental health and inclusion of children at risk of social exclusion in two Seville neighbourhoods. Campaigns will raise awareness of the importance of health in the development and inclusion of migrants and refugees and how football can be a vehicle for achieving this.

Objectives

  • Include migrant children and their families in the community and strengthen their resilience through sports;
  • Improve physical and mental well-being through socio-sports activities;
  • Improve the sustainability of the community by training young people;
  • Reduce social inequalities and prejudices towards the migrant population though socio-sports activities in spaces that are intercultural, equal and safe;
  • Run awareness-raising campaigns on social media and in schools.

Project activities

  • Socio-sports sessions: 90-minute sessions aimed at developing the children’s socio-emotional skills and promoting their well-being, as well as addressing cross-cutting issues of local interest ;
  • Family and community football: Socio-sports sessions focused on families and members of the community with the aim of promoting positive parenting and meaningful community bonds ;
  • Socio-sports events: The two communities participating in the project meet to share their experiences and get to know each other in an atmosphere where coexistence and friendship come before competition ;
  • Training in sport for development: Training in the Fútbol Más and sport for development methodologies will be provided to professionals and leaders of both communities ;
  • Awareness-raising and advocacy activities:
    • Activities and conferences in educational centres in Seville
    • Visibility activities together with football clubs
    • Awareness campaigns on human rights, gender equality and interculturality:
      • #TheBallHasNoGender
      • #TheBallHasNoBorders
      • #DeportePorRefugio

Expected results

  • Improved physical and socio-emotional well-being in children and young people;
  • Existence of inclusive spaces where local and migrant populations interact;
  • Increased number of schools that include non-discrimination and socio-emotional well-being in their activities;
  • Greater sense of belonging in migrant and local children who have access to safe, equal and inclusive spaces;
  • Young people certified in sport for development.

Partner

Live together II

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Turkey and Syria
Start date 01/01/2022
End date 10/30/2022
Cost of the project €200,000
Foundation funding €200,000
Project identifier 20210900
Partners Bonyan Organization for Youth and Development
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Conflict victims - Gender Equality - Infrastructure and equipment - Personal development

Context

The Syrian refugee crisis remains the largest humanitarian and development crisis in the world. Across the five main Syrian-refugee hosting countries, over 10 million people need some form of humanitarian and resilience support, the highest number in nearly a decade. This includes 5.5 million Syrian refugees and 4.8 million impacted host community members.

The key underlying issues are large-scale protracted displacement, socio-economic conditions, COVID-19 and demographic pressures. Turkey currently hosts approximately 3.6 million refugees, the majority of whom live out-of-camp, integrated into host (Turkish) communities in cities and villages. Both communities therefore share the same environment and resources.

Project content

The Live Together II project is a continuation of the 2019 Live Together project. Work will be done in schools to disseminate and mainstream football3 culture among teachers, who in turn will pass it on to the children. Capacity-building courses will be held, playgrounds rehabilitated and brochures, guidebooks and sports supplies distributed.

Children with special needs will also be included in the sports activities. Girls’ and boys’ football teams will be set up to involve girls in sports activities, with the hope that this will lead to wider inclusion of girls within the community. The project volunteers will receive training on child protection principles, awareness of child protection issues, the promotion of children’s rights and health tips to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Objectives

The project’s overall goal is to use football as a tool for building peaceful coexistence, as well as to improve the sports infrastructure in schools in the border towns of Akçakale in Turkey and Tal Abyad in Syria.

Project activities

  • Playground rehabilitation: Playgrounds in five schools – in each country - will be rehabilitated so that children attending and living near the school can play sports, which will improve their life skills and promote peaceful coexistence.
  • Teacher capacity-building: The teacher training programme will last four days and focus on mainstreaming the football3 methodology as well as other social cohesion activities that can be integrated into classwork.
  • Capacity-building for youth mediators: Youth mediators will volunteer as coaches in the football3 leagues. They will prepare and facilitate the football3 sessions, mediate any conflicts arising between the teams and act as positive role models for the children.
  • Running football3 leagues: Football3 leagues will be set up: one in Turkey and one in Syria. All teams will include both Turkish and Syrian children. Children will play in a safe environment where they will have fun, learn life skills and build their resilience. The volunteer coaches will discuss well-being with the children to provide them with psychosocial support.

Expected results

  • Playgrounds will be rehabilitated in five schools in Turkey and Syria.
  • 100 teachers will be provided with training on football3 and sports for children.
  • 240 children will take part in football3 games in Turkey and Syria.
  • 80 young people will play an active role in their communities and receive training on football3 methodology, leadership and conflict resolution.

Partner

Goals for my Future V

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Austria, Vienna
Start date 01/01/2022
End date 12/31/2022
Cost of the project €416,000
Foundation funding €10,000
Project identifier 20210383
Partners Mentor Management-Entwicklung-Organisation GmbH & Co OG
Categories Access to Sport - Conflict victims - Employability

Context

The average percentage of young people aged 15–24 not in education, employment or training (NEET) in Vienna in 2006–16 was 10.9%, or 21,800 young people.

The Goals for my Future V project follows on from four previous projects and aims to support young NEETs using football to encourage social participation and integration.

The target group is young NEETs, aged between 14–21 (possibly up to 25) who:

  • have not or have not yet completed compulsory schooling;
  • need a daily structure;
  • are threatened with immediate exclusion;
  • grew up in homes with parents with unstable employment histories;
  • come from families with low cultural capital;
  • belong to ethnic minorities or do not have EU27 citizenship;
  • have had negative experiences in the school system (truancy, suspensions, etc.);
  • have behavioural problems.

Project content

The average percentage of young people aged 15–24 not in education, employment or training (NEET) in Vienna in 2006–16 was 10.9%, or 21,800 young people.

The Goals for my Future V project follows on from four previous projects and aims to support young NEETs using football to encourage social participation and integration.

The target group is young NEETs, aged between 14–21 (possibly up to 25) who:

  • have not or have not yet completed compulsory schooling;
  • need a daily structure;
  • are threatened with immediate exclusion;
  • grew up in homes with parents with unstable employment histories;
  • come from families with low cultural capital;
  • belong to ethnic minorities or do not have EU27 citizenship;
  • have had negative experiences in the school system (truancy, suspensions, etc.);
  • have behavioural problems.

Objectives

  • Preparing young people for reintegration into education or training by resolving language deficits, reducing school-specific deficits and promoting social skills and appropriate behaviour
  • Activating young people’s self-help potential
  • Providing educational and professional guidance
  • Creating a stable, sustainable network
  • Creating a connection with a football club
  • Bringing participants in contact with NEBA, the Austrian vocational assistance service, if nothing else – school, education or work – is possible

Project activities

  • Highly professional football training twice a week, in three-hour sessions.
  • Three hours a week of a variety of sports: swimming, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, climbing, bowling, mini-golf, frisbee and much more.
  • Joint tournaments, friendly games and training with friendly clubs.
  • Participation in the Kleinfeld-Liga football league.
  • Joint activities with the team: cinema trips, excursions, visits to companies, workshops, juggling training, etc.
  • Provision of training equipment and jerseys, boots and shin pads.
  • Supervision, remedial tuition and lesson support to help with compulsory schooling.
  • Psychological and social support.
  • Individual coaching and work assistance.
  • German language training.
  • Support for parents.

Expected results

It is expected that 90% of the young people participating in the programme (35 boys and 20 girls) will:

  • begin/continue a qualification or job, or transfer to an organisation under NEBA;
  • improve their social skills;
  • develop a realistic career plan and be able to match their abilities with a suitable qualification or job;
  • experience greater motivation;
  • enjoy sports and exercise more;
  • better understand interpersonal interactions.

Partner

Positive Futures

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Start date 12/01/2021
End date 12/31/2022
Cost of the project €100,000
Foundation funding €50,000
Project identifier 20210469
Partners Rio Ferdinand Foundation
Categories Access to Sport - Employability - Gender Equality - Personal development

Context

Inequality & hate crime are rising issues in Northern Ireland & Ireland, with border towns between the two particularly at risk with relocation of migrant communities & refugees into small towns adding to existing tensions following the exit of the UK from the EU. Young people are particularly vulnerable, with tensions between communities over national identity coupled with organised criminality operating cross border leaving them at risk of participating in/being victims of negative behaviours.

Project content

This project will build community cohesion and tackle racism and xenophobia through the empowerment of young people from disadvantaged and vulnerable communities in Ireland / Northern Ireland – including those suffering economic disadvantage, racism and prejudice. We will use our project to enhance the skills, confidence and opportunities available to young people and drive a message of respect, inclusion and working together to create safer, stronger and more inclusive communities.

Objectives

This project will create an environment for young people to work together to:

  • Create spaces & opportunities for enhanced cultural understanding & to tackle the negativity of racism & xenophobia.
  • Improve the confidence, skills & experiences of young people to enable & empower them to take a lead role in delivering a message of inclusion, equality & respect in their communities.
  • Create long lasting friendships and networks across communities and cultures to tackle social exclusion and prejudice.

 

Project activities

  • Football coaching/games/tournaments bringing people together across communities/borders.
  • Workshops improving confidence, mental health/wellbeing, addressing issues of prejudice/racism/hate crime, including current/former players sharing lived experience.
  • Accredited training building skills, opportunities & networks.
  • Youth led social action projects promoting cohesion & inclusion.
  • Pathways into further education, training & employment for young people from vulnerable & excluded communities.

 

Expected results

The Positive Futures project will:

  • Engage 250 young people from disadvantaged and vulnerable communities in regular sporting activity.
  • Support 150 young people in personal development workshops and mentoring.
  • Train 100 young people in accredited vocational qualifications.
  • Deliver 4 youth led community cohesion events to bring communities together.

Partner

Youth Sports Games 2022

Location and general information

Terminé
Location Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Serbia
Start date 01/01/2022
End date 12/31/2022
Cost of the project €5,035,000
Foundation funding €250,000
Project identifier 20210447
Partners Association for Sport, Recreation and Education – Youth Games
Categories Access to Sport - Gender Equality

Context

The Youth Sports Games started in 1996 in Split, Croatia. The primary motive was to enable children to participate in organised sporting events and other free activities. The Youth Sports Games have become the largest amateur sports event for children and young people in Europe. More than 2 million children have competed in the 25 years since they began.

The games are held in three countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia. Primary and secondary-school children compete in ten sports disciplines free of charge, and the most successful individuals and teams get to travel to Split to take part in the international finals.

In addition to the games, the association organises regular sports and recreational activities for children, to promote health, tolerance and ethical values. The association promotes a lifestyle based on understanding, friendship, solidarity and fair play as an alternative to addiction and deviant behaviour.

Project content

Sport is used as a medium to connect with the participants aged 7–18 through tournaments held in over 300 cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia. The Youth Sports Games promote a healthy lifestyle and help to increase the popularity of all ten sports (football, street basketball, handball, volleyball, beach volleyball, tennis, table tennis, chess, dodgeball and athletics), as well as educating the children about sustainability.

Objectives

In 2021, a total of 214,852 children took part. The objective for 2022 is to have 220,000 children compete: 80,000 in Croatia, 50,000 in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 90,000 in Serbia, and for 30% of the participants to be girls. The association also aims to develop football tournaments for girls and to be a preferred choice for young girls aged 12–15 years.

Project activities

From January to August 2022, local tournaments will be held in the three countries, then national finals followed by the international finals in Split, Croatia. There will also be marketing activities, such as promotional campaigns, digital media activities, PR activities, live TV broadcasts and a TV show in each country.

Expected results

  • Football tournaments with a total of 110,000 participants.
  • 35 girls' football tournaments for a total of 11,000 young players aged 12–15.
  • Tournaments in the nine other sports (street basketball, handball, volleyball, beach volleyball, tennis, table tennis, chess, dodgeball and athletics) with a total of 110,000 participants.

Partner

Together we live, learn and play

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Spain
Start date 01/01/2022
End date 12/31/2022
Cost of the project €144,468
Foundation funding €18,805
Project identifier 20211045
Partners Asociación Alacrán 1997
Categories Access to Sport - Gender Equality - Personal development

Context

The Asociación Alacrán 1997 works in the Hortaleza district of Madrid. There is significant inequality between neighbourhoods in the Hortaleza district. Around 2,500 households live below the poverty line and struggle with housing, employment or resources. Children and teenagers living in these families face serious challenges that affect their personal and social development.

Project content

The project helps children in vulnerable situations acquire skills and positive values as a protective factor against risky behaviours and habits. The core activity is the football programme, which has a strong focus on the inclusion of girls. This gives children access to a free sports activity. The programme is complemented with socio-educational support and healthy leisure options.

Objectives

  • Protect children’s rights and alleviate the effects of poverty on girls and boys in the Hortaleza district.
  • Promote the personal and social development of girls and boys in the Hortaleza district, especially those at greatest risk and the most socially vulnerable.
  • Encourage girls to play football – a traditionally masculine space – as a way to combat prejudices and stereotypes.

Project activities

  • Football training focused on individual technical improvement and learning basic team play concepts, as well as the development of abilities, skills, attitudes and values.
  • Awareness and recruitment campaigns for girls.
  • Football tournaments.
  • Coach training.
  • Classes to help with school and teach study techniques.
  • Activities to promote group cohesion and conflict resolution.
  • Workshops to promote healthy habits and on specific topics such as sexuality, drugs and emotions.
  • Individualised follow-up.

Expected results

  • Girls and boys are encouraged to play sports
  • Girls and boys acquire or improve their abilities, skills and fundamental values
  • Increased school attendance among girls
  • Creation of an educational, protective and caring space for the participants
  • Upholding the participants’ right to equal opportunities in education by supporting them and counteracting their educational difficulties
  • Providing individual support to protect the participants and ensure their optimal development

Partner

Twinned Peace Sport Schools (TPSS)

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Israel
Start date 01/01/2022
End date 12/31/2022
Cost of the project €97,000
Foundation funding €35,000
Project identifier 20211040
Partners The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation
Categories Access to Sport - Personal development

Context

Ties between Arab and Jewish citizens in Israel are marred by ongoing conflict that has led to discrimination, fear, and distrust of “the other” on both sides. Many of Israel’s municipalities and institutions, including schools and after-school activities, are uni-cultural leaving few opportunities for integration between Jewish and Arab children that would allow them to challenge existing preconceptions and build mutual trust and the foundations for shared living. This has been exacerbated by isolation during COVID-19.

Project content

The Peres Center’s Twinned Peace Sport Schools (TPSS) programme is an extra-curricular football-based peace education programme combining regular football training with Hebrew/Arabic language learning, cross-cultural exchange and peace education activities that promote integration, diversity and inclusion among Jewish and Arab Israeli boys and girls aged 8-12.

Objectives

The overall objective of the TPSS programme is to utilise sport as a tool for facilitating intercultural dialogue and promoting peacebuilding among Jewish and Arab children in Israel. The TPSS programme instils in Jewish and Arab children the values of sportsmanship, teamwork, inclusion and tolerance, establishing a strong foundation for further engagement between Jewish and Arab participants in other contexts throughout the children’s lives.

Project activities

TPSS programme activities include:

  • Training for community coaches: Coaches from participating communities receive training in the Peres Center’s football-based peace education methodologies, as well as in children’s rights and safeguarding, improving their awareness and their ability to provide children with quality extra-curricular educational activities.
  • Uni-cultural activity sessions: Bi-weekly football training sessions are held in the children’s own communities, supplemented with Hebrew/Arabic language learning (including greetings and football-related vocabulary) which allows the children to prepare for and process their experiences when meeting members of the other community.
  • Bicultural activity sessions: Paired groups of Jewish and Arab children meet for four joint peace education sessions. These are a chance for the children to use their new language skills to interact with each other and play football together. The innovative Fairplay method for football is used in which the participants determine the rules of the game, referee themselves and resolve conflicts on the pitch through facilitated dialogue.
  • Year-end activity: All children come together for a full day of peace education activities. This event, bringing participants from across the country together with community and cultural leaders is hugely influential for children who see their participation in the programme as part of a large-scale popular movement for peace.

Expected results

  • Facilitation of intercultural dialogue and engagement among 310 Jewish and Arab children through football.
  • Positive changes in perception, elimination of stereotypes, and the promotion of cooperation, trust and understanding in 310 Jewish and Arab children.
  • Greater access to quality extra-curricular sports and peace education in 16 Jewish and Arab communities across Israel.

Partner

Lay’s RePlay

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location UK, South Africa, Brazil, Italy, USA, Mexico, Turkey and Egypt
Start date 01/01/2021
End date 12/31/2023
Cost of the project €tbc
Foundation funding €200,000
Project identifier 20200100
Partners Lay’s, Common Goal
Categories Access to Sport - Infrastructure and equipment - Personal development - Sponsors

Context

Lay's RePlay – an innovative global initiative in partnership with the UEFA Foundation for Children and streetfootballworld – aims to bring joy to communities around the world by transforming empty crisp packets into sustainable football pitches, leading to positive outcomes for people and the planet.

Eleven community mini pitches composed partially of reused empty crisp packets have been constructed in:

  • Tembisa, South Africa
  • Leicester, UK
  • São Paulo, Brazil
  • Turin, Italy
  • Iztapalapa, Mexico
  • Santa Ana, USA
  • Gaziantep, Turkey
  • Cairo, Egypt
  • Naples, Italy
  • Santa Marta, Colombia
  • Bilbao, Spain

 

Tapping into the global passion for football, these pitches will become sustainable hubs for

positive community transformation.

Project content

Lay’s RePlay provides artificial five-a-side pitches that are ideal for communities with limited access to spaces where they can enjoy the game and develop their skills.

It works with local partners to build spaces and programmes that bring people together and drive positive change for generations to come – it’s much more than just a pitch.

The project’s long-term educational sporting programmes harness the positive power of play and football to address social issues impacting local communities through their four key aims: creating a sense of belonging, increasing engagement, fostering safety, and granting access to sport.

 

Objectives

Lay's RePlay places a strong emphasis on including community members and local organisations throughout the planning, construction and maintenance of each pitch, with a view to developing programmes that can address the specific social issues affecting each community while also fostering safe access to sport. Each pitch is constructed using partially recycled material and the aim is to deliver them with a net-zero carbon footprint.

Project activities

Multiple stakeholders are involved in creating the mini pitches, each of which takes an average of 8 to 12 months to complete. The local partner in each location will lead the process, in close collaboration with streetfootballworld.

Community engagement will be integral; the community is seen not as a recipient, but as part of the decision-making process. It is a participatory project, with an emphasis on talking to community stakeholders, understanding their needs, appreciating their contexts, and collaborating to find optimal solutions. The community is involved in the project before, during and after construction, and preference is given to local sources to ensure capacity development and build trust.

Expected results

  • Eight community football pitches will have been created by the end of 2022.
  • Recycled crisp packets constitute 32% of the material used to construct the pitches, and each community will become more aware of sustainable practices.
  • The artificial turf and the substrate on which it rests (Ecocept™) are 100% recyclable, thanks to the compression of recycled plastic.
  • Local communities in all locations are closely involved in the process.
  • Girls and boys have equal access to a space to play football.
  • Educational sporting programmes provide tailor-made support to the local community and drive positive change for generations to come.

 

First results in the UK, South Africa, Brazil and Italy

  • Local organisations have organised football and other sports sessions as well as educational initiatives to combat the social challenges faced by their communities. Themes tackled include female participation, physical and mental health, education and drugs.
  • Members of the community benefit from a new football pitch that remains open outside of the organised sessions.

Partners

Kurt Landauer Platz

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Münich, Germany
Start date 01/01/2021
End date 12/31/2021
Cost of the project €666,258
Foundation funding €128,000
Project identifier 20200881
Partners Bellevue di Monaco
Categories Access to Sport - Infrastructure and equipment - Personal development

Context

Sport plays a key role in the integration of young refugees into society, with many studies showing that sports programmes can help to strengthen links between migrants and the native population. In Munich, local authorities and NGOs have made considerable efforts to accommodate asylum seekers over the last six years. However, there is a lack of sports programmes, and space for sporting activities is very limited (especially in the city centre). As a result, young refugees have not had enough opportunities to play sport and mix with locals of the same age.

Project content

A multi-sports pitch (named after Kurt Landauer, a former president of FC Bayern München) has been built on the roof of the Bellevue di Monaco intercultural community centre in the heart of Munich. Working in cooperation with its partner Bunt kickt gut, the community centre plans to use that venue to offer a variety of sports programmes (football, basketball, gym sessions, etc.) for young refugees and local children from the neighbourhood (boys and girls alike), with a focus on cultural exchange, personal development and inclusion.

Objectives

The project’s main aim is to foster cultural exchange between young refugees and local children, based on a firm belief that sport is the best way to bring people together and establish bonds. Particular attention will be paid to the issue of gender equality: girls and boys will play together on the pitch, but there will also be special programmes dedicated solely to girls. The activities will focus primarily on sports, but the coaching methodology will also help to strengthen children’s language skills, interpersonal skills and, in some cases, even vocational skills.

Project activities

  • Recruit staff to manage the multi-sports pitch, allocate time slots, supervise training sessions, coach participants and resolve conflicts.
  • Establish sports programmes for young refugees and local children.
  • Organise a variety of sports activities and coaching sessions, fostering personal and professional development.
  • Organise football tournaments and other special sports events on a regular basis.

Expected results

  • It is expected for around 1,200 young refugees and local children to regularly participate in the various sports programmes each year.
  • Refugees at the community centre will get to know more people in the local area.
  • Girls and young women who do not want to play sport in public will have access to special sessions and a protected space on the rooftop.
  • Participants will benefit from personal development (e.g. learning how to manage their frustrations).

Partner

Child Safeguarding Certification Programme for Sport-for-Good Practitioners

Location and general information

Terminé
Location Europe
Start date 03/31/2021
End date 03/31/2022
Cost of the project €207,130
Foundation funding €207,130
Project identifier 20200898
Partners Streetfootballworld
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Employability - Personal development

Context

Sport-for-good (SFG) practitioners work with children on a daily basis. However, according to a streetfootballworld network assessment, only 50% have a basic or intermediate knowledge of safeguarding and only 45% have a basic or intermediate understanding of children’s rights and the rights of child athletes. 85% want to receive proper safeguarding training and with 80,000+ adults working with vulnerable groups in the SFG sector, the need for training on this topic is evident.

Project content

The UEFA Foundation for Children and streetfootballworld (sfw) will take the lead in the sector by launching a safeguarding certification and capacity-building programme to ensure children’s fundamental rights across the world are safeguarded. The programme will benefit from regional, contextual, and cultural expertise by engaging five football-for-good (FFG) organisations working closely with children in their communities. Ultimately, the online safeguarding certification programme will be made available, through the UEFA Foundation for Children, to all SFG practitioners around the world.

Objectives

The overall goal of this programme is to minimise intentional and unintentional harm to vulnerable groups. UEFA’s previous safeguarding efforts will be used to develop a certification course for all practitioners working with children and at-risk youth and adults within the sport-for-good sector.

Project activities

  • Implementing an online knowledge/training certification programme for FFG/SFG organisations.
  • Identifying and working with five organisations (diversified globally and UEFA Foundation 2020 grant awardees) to co-create content and review it contextually and culturally.
  • Training 75 staff members (15 per organisation) with the course.
  • Involving 150 local parents in assessment of the contents.
  • Together with the UEFA Foundation for Children, engaging in advocacy for sector-wide policy on training/certification of FFG practitioners.

Expected results

  • One online course on safeguarding for SFG practitioners.
  • 75 coaches and staff members from the five FFG/SFG organisations will gain a qualification in safeguarding in the SFG sector and build knowledge and skills regarding protecting children and at-risk youth.
  • 150 parents will provide feedback to ensure local receptivity to the content.
  • Evidence will be collected from the pilot programme to reflect, adjust, and advocate for a standardised approach at a policy level.

Partner

Generation Sport 2021

Location and general information

Terminé
Location Armenia
Start date 04/01/2021
End date 12/31/2021
Cost of the project €63,959
Foundation funding €55,052
Project identifier 20200519
Partners Armenian Fund for Sustainable Development
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Infrastructure and equipment - Personal development

Context

Physical education is compulsory for all schoolchildren in Armenia and one of their favourites. However, a lack of equipment and the poor condition of sports facilities in schools make it difficult for lessons to take place properly.

Regularly practising sport helps young people learn values such as respect, team spirit, regular attendance, politeness and personal investment, which are all essential for social and professional integration.

The Armenian Fund for Sustainable Development has always been closely involved in education. Its Generation Sport 2021 project follows on from Generation Sport 2020, which was extremely successful nationwide and resulted in 16 schools receiving sports equipment.

Project content

Schools will be invited to create a short video about the school, school life, the pupils’ motivation for applying and their sporting achievements, as well as their involvement in the community and in protecting the environment. The Armenian Fund for Sustainable Development and the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport will select 25 schools to receive sports equipment.

The Armenian Fund for Sustainable Development will organise several events to encourage young people to take part in sports, including visits by sports personalities to motivate them to reach their full potential. A sports competition for schoolchildren will also be held in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport.

Objectives

  • Encourage young people to practise sport and fulfil their potential.
  • Promote inclusion of pupils with disabilities through sports.

Project activities

  • Purchasing and distributing sports equipment to 25 schools, with priority given to schools in remote areas and with disabled pupils.
  • Supporting the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports in the organisation of a national sports competition.
  • Organising sports events at schools, including visits from sports personalities.

Expected results

  • 368,968 children in 1,403 schools will be informed and educated about sport.
  • At least 100 schools (with over 35,000 pupils) will take part in the competition to receive sports equipment.
  • 25 schools will receive sports equipment, benefiting at least 7,500 children.
  • At least 10 motivational visits will take place for the benefit of 1,000 children.
  • At least four inclusion through sport events will take place for 200 children.
  • 300 brochures about the importance of sport will be distributed to children.
  • 300 sports awareness posters will be displayed in schools.

Partner

Bijzondere Eredivisie

Location and general information

Terminé
Location Netherlands
Start date 06/01/2021
End date 05/31/2022
Cost of the project €150,000
Foundation funding €50,000
Project identifier 20200607
Partners Het Gehandicapte Kind foundation
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Personal development

Context

There are more than 100,000 disabled children in the Netherlands. Exercise is very important to improve their health, independence and self-confidence. Disabled children are more likely to experience loneliness, and sport gives them the opportunity to make friends. The Het Gehandicapte Kind foundation believes that all children should be able to share the same dreams and playing for their favourite football club is one those.

Project content

In 2019, the Het Gehandicapte Kind foundation kicked off the world’s first official football competition for disabled children: Bijzondere Eredivisie. Thanks to the funding of the UEFA Foundation, the third season can begin!

Children with a disability are given the opportunity to join a professional football club and play the sport they love. Playing sport helps them become socially included, build friendships and boost their self-confidence. Ten football clubs competed in the first season: Ajax, ADO Den Haag, De Graafschap, Excelsior, FC Emmen, FC Groningen, FC Utrecht, Heracles Almelo, SC Heerenveen and VVV Venlo.

Objectives

  • Increase the visibility of children with disabilities.
  • Inspire disabled children to believe that anything is possible.
  • Increase disabled children’s participation in sports.
  • Increase awareness of disabled football in the Netherlands.
  • Establish a sustainable competition.

Project activities

  • Clubs 'scout' their own team during the open selection days for approximately 200 disabled children.
  • Ten clubs and 120 children participate in the competition (more clubs and more children next season).
  • The teams train once a week at the grounds of their professional club.
  • A competition takes place twice a month, and every professional football club hosts once a season.
  • The competitions are a fully organised event with a welcome by the club manager, lunch and transport.
  • Communication via social media platforms (Bijzondere Eredivisie and football clubs’ channels).

Expected results

  • Children socialise and make new friends through their football clubs.
  • Children act as a catalyst for a more positive, inclusive perception of disabled children.
  • More disabled children start to play football.
  • Notable improvement in the confidence and health of the disabled children.
  • Minimum of 18 professional clubs involved in the competition.

Partner