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UEFA Foundation for Children to Partner with ORIGYN Foundation on ‘NFTs for Good’

Swiss non-profit to provide access to unique pairings of collectibles and NFTs of historic football memorabilia

The UEFA Foundation for Children has partnered with the Swiss non-profit ORIGYN Foundation to mint and sell NFTs created from a collection of historic football memorabilia. Proceeds from the sale of the physical objects and their corresponding NFTs will directly benefit UEFA Foundation for Children’s mission to support children’s rights through funding for health, education and integration projects.

As part of ORIGYN’s ‘NFTs for Good’ initiative, the UEFA Foundation for Children will offer football fans the world over the opportunity to purchase items from a limited collection of physical collectibles. A digital Twin' NFT will be created for each of the one-of-a-kind memorabilia items, which include one of the toss coins that helped determine the outcome of the UEFA EURO 2020 final between England and Italy.

This series of unique sports collectibles donated by the UEFA Foundation for Children, together with the Digital Twin NFTs, will appear exclusively on the ORIGYN-powered NFT marketplace, Impossible Things.

We are thrilled to partner with ORIGYN to bring these important items to the world stage for the benefit of The UEFA Foundation for Children,” said Urs Kluser, the general secretary for the UEFA Foundation for Children. “We share a vision of leveraging next-generation technology such as NFTs to raise money for children and communities around the world. There is no better collective mission.”

About the ORIGYN Foundation:

Project partner

ORIGYN_Foundation_horizontal_black_RGB-3

The Swiss non-profit foundation ORIGYN uses intelligent technologies, including computer vision and artificial intelligence, on decentralized computing to identify, authenticate and unlock the powers of ownership for objects of value. As the first digital certification platform built on the Internet Computer (IC), ORIGYN and its verticals generate new forms of value for some of the largest consumer asset classes in the world, including art, collectibles, digital media and luxury goods. Founded in Neuchâtel, Switzerland in October of 2020, ORIGYN operates globally in major technology and blockchain hubs around the world. Its utility token, OGY, is set to become publicly tradable in the second quarter of 2022.

ORIGYN Foundation: Website Twitter Telegram LinkedIn Facebook Medium Instagram

For more information about Impossible Things, see here.

Football is united against online hate

BT’s Hope United and the UEFA Foundation for Children have joined forces to help stamp out online abuse and discrimination through the UEFA Super Cup and a unique community match in Belfast.

This year’s UEFA Super Cup, between Chelsea and Villarreal, is taking place on Wednesday 11 August in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. The UEFA Foundation for Children will use the opening ceremony to raise awareness about online hate in sport and among young people with the help of Hope United, a campaign launched by BT, broadcasters of the UEFA Super Cup. Hope United brings together a diverse team of footballers from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland with the aim of driving change and giving digital skills to people on how to protect themselves and others online.

During the pre-match ceremony, children selected by the Irish FA foundation and Rio Ferdinand foundations will present the Unite Against Hate banner and read a message of hope promoting respect and solidarity online.

To raise awareness of the campaign ahead of the Super Cup, BT Sport hosted a match involving children aged between 14 and 17 from community projects across Northern Ireland that are helping to bridge the sectarian divide and care for refugees who have settled here.

Players from both teams were representing Hope United, supported by footballing legends and BT Sport analysts Glenn Hoddle and Joe Cole, who were acting as coaches for either side. The match was organised by the Irish FA at Crusader FC’s Seaview ground and was treated like a professional match in that it was filmed by six cameras and presented by Rio Ferdinand, Eni Aluko and Jake Humphrey, with Darren Fletcher and Steve McManaman in the commentary booth.

“My work, both on and off the pitch, has taught me that there is no hiding place from social media abuse,” the England and Manchester United FC legend Rio Ferdinand, who is now a BT pundit, explained. “Passions run high during big football tournaments and having seen first-hand the devastating effect that can result from online hate , it is more important than ever that sport unites to combat it.”

“Young people are all too often victims of hate messages and harassment on social media and it is our duty to defend them,” said Urs Kluser, general secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children. “Thanks to the BT Tech Tips to beat online hate, young people can access real tools that teach them how to detect and respond to abuse but also learn to be more conscious about their own action online and to lead by example.”

About Hope United campaign

Launched ahead of UEFA EURO 2020 by BT and diverse team of male and female players from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, driven by their own experience of online hate. BT's purpose is to Connect for Good and change attitudes. The BT Hope United website content provides digital skills to tackle hate online. Football values are used to promote team spirit, respect of their peers and learn who to live together.

For more information, visit: https://bthopeunited.com/

“My work, both on and off the pitch, has taught me that there is no hiding place from social media abuse,” the England and Manchester United FC legend Rio Ferdinand, who is now a BT pundit, explained. “Passions run high during big football tournaments and having seen first-hand the devastating effect that can result from online hate , it is more important than ever that sport unites to combat it.”

- Rio Ferdinand, England and Manchester United FC legend.

WhatsApp Image 2021-08-10 at 11.40.58 (2)

Visa donates another €50,000 to UEFA Foundation-backed charity

Visa Player of the Match winner from the UEFA Women´s Champions League final 2021, Aitana Bonmatí chooses a project for refugee children.

The Player of the Match Award, which has been presented by Visa since 2019, celebrates individual excellence in women’s football. In honour of the award, Visa gives a €50,000 donation to a charity chosen by the winner.

For the second year in a row, Visa donated its Player of the Match prize to the UEFA Foundation for Children, allowing the winner to choose a cause close to her convictions. Aitana Bonmatí decided to support the Movement on the Ground, an organisation that runs sports programmes for refugee children on Lesbos.

Bonmatí presented the €50,000 award to a project that promotes gender equality and social inclusion for refugee children on the Greek island delivered by Movement on the Ground with support from the Barça Foundation and UEFA Foundation for Children.

Aitana Bonmatí, who is an ambassador for the Barça Foundation, said: "I hope this donation helps girls improve their situation and their emotional well-being through sport. It has been very interesting to learn first-hand about the situation on Lesbos and the excellent work that is being carried out."

Adil Izemrane, co-founder of the Movement on the Ground, thanked Visa and Aitana Bonmatí for the donation, which he said: "will enable many more refugee girls to have a safe place to play sports and forget, for a few hours a week, about their hardships in Europe’s largest refugee camp."

Movement on The Ground

Movement on the Ground is a non-governmental organization with core programming on Greek islands. It meets unmet needs during humanitarian crises and provides logistical, financial and service delivery assistance with the aim of improving the dignity of refugee populations. Since 2016, Movement on the Ground has delivered sports programs with refugee children and youth arriving on the island of Lesbos, including the delivery of a Football3 project funded by UEFA Foundation for Children in 2016 and the Barça Foundation's FutbolNet methodology since 2017. Link to the project

Barça Foundation and UEFA Foundation for Children

Since 2016, UEFA Foundation for Children and Barça Foundation have collaborated to provide sports activities for refugee children on the island of Lesbos in Greece. The activities take place in the new RIC refugee camp, after the old camp burned down last September.

More than 82 million displaced people worldwide

There are currently 82.4 million displaced people worldwide, more than 26.4 million of whom have fled to other countries, according to the latest data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Half of these refugees are children who have been forced from their homes because of conflict, violence and persecution. In this difficult context, children and young people are particularly vulnerable and often experience a lack of protection and violations of their rights.

I hope this donation helps girls improve their situation and their emotional well-being through sport. It has been very interesting to learn first-hand about the situation on Lesbos and the excellent work that is being carried out.

- Aitana Bonmatí, football midfielder playing for Barcelona

Chelsea FC v FC Barcelona - UEFA Women's Champions League Final 2021

About Visa

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world’s leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company’s relentless focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid growth of digital commerce on any device for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more information, visit: visa.fr/blog and @Visa_Fr.

UEFA Foundation for Children partners with Catawiki for football collectibles

Auction platform provides the opportunity to bid on football memorabilia.

After a year away from football championships, this summer promises to be different, with football fans already feasting on the current UEFA EURO 2020. during the summer, Catawiki will hold a series of unique auctions to enable them to keep a souvenir of various football events.

If you are looking for Müller’s jersey from the 2019/20 Champions League season or red cards issued during the current UEFA EURO 2020, Catawiki will be the place to go. On top of that, all the proceeds will go towards the foundation’s projects.

Cyril Pellevat, head of administration at the UEFA Foundation for Children, said: “The UEFA Foundation for Children is pleased to digitise its fundraising activities by partnering with Catawiki. Fans around the world will have the chance to bid for limited-edition items, including shirts and footballs from the 2020/21 Champions League and Europa League. The profits will finance projects to help children in Europe and around the world.”

Frank Pon, collectibles general manager at Catawiki, said: “We’re extremely excited about these one-of-a-kind partnership auctions. They are not only a significant vote of confidence in Catawiki, but enable us to offer our users the best of the best, while helping good causes around the world. With 10 million unique visitors per month in over 60 countries, I’m confident these collectibles will sell like hot cakes.”

The auctions will operate from 9 to 18 July, with signed jerseys, match balls, shoes from the 2020/21 Champions League and Europa League, and much more.

A second window will auction items from UEFA EURO 2020 items.

Access to the portal: https://www.catawiki.com/UEFAFoundation

We’re extremely excited about these one-of-a-kind partnership auctions. They are not only a significant vote of confidence in Catawiki, but enable us to offer our users the best of the best, while helping good causes around the world. With 10 million unique visitors per month in over 60 countries, I’m confident these collectibles will sell like hot cakes.

- Frank Pon, collectibles general manager at Catawiki

About Catawiki

Catawiki is a leading global marketplace offering hundreds of expert-curated auctions per week across multiple categories, including collectibles, art, design, jewellery, watches, classic cars, and more. Founded in 2008 with a vision to connect people with their passions, Catawiki provides an exciting and seamless experience for buying and selling special, hard-to-find objects. Over 65,000 objects are put into auction each week, and Catawiki has operations in 60+ countries. Headquartered in Amsterdam, Catawiki has +600 employees serving millions of customers around the world, including 240+ experts who curate the auctions. For more information, visit catawiki.com or download the Catawiki mobile app.

FROM PACKS TO PITCHES: GLOBAL LAY’S® REPLAY PROGRAMME GIVES PACKAGING A NEW PURPOSE WITH SUSTAINABLE FOOTBALL PITCHES

From packs to pitches: Global Lay's® Replay programme gives packaging a new purpose with sustainable football pitches

In partnership with Lay’s and streetfootballworld, this programme uses football as a force for good in local communities around the world

Purchase, New York, June 24, 2021 – Today, Lay’s® announces a new global initiative, Lay’s RePlay, to bring joy to deserving communities around the world through the power of football. Lay’s has partnered with the UEFA Foundation for Children and streetfootballworld to reuse empty chip packs to help create sustainable football pitches, uniting communities and driving positive outcomes for people and the planet.

Sebnem Erim, VP, Marketing, Global Foods, PepsiCo comments, “Providing people with joy one chip and one bag at a time is at the heart of our brand. Building upon decades of experience bringing people together with the game, we are proud to introduce Lay’s RePlay. More than just a planet positive pitch, we are working with local partners to build spaces and programmes that can deliver positive impact and change for generations to come.”

Up to five Lay’s RePlay football pitches are expected to open in 2021 around the world, with the first in Tembisa, South Africa, followed by communities in Russia, Brazil, Turkey, and the UK. With the potential of more than 3,600 hours of play and educational sports programmes benefiting over 16,000 members of the community in the first year alone, Lay's RePlay places strong emphasis on including community members and local organisations throughout the planning, construction and maintenance phases of each pitch, with the goal to develop programming that can address social issues impacting each community, while fostering safe access to the sport. For example, in South Africa, local programming looks to empower youth, promote inclusivity, and share key life skills and pro-social behaviours with EduFootball sessions.

Supported by long-time global Lay’s ambassador and six-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi shares, “I was lucky enough to start playing football at a young age and it transformed my life. Everyone deserves the chance to play and fall in love with the sport, and Lay’s RePlay is giving communities across the world that opportunity. I’m proud to give back through this project and excited about the impact it can have on the next generation.”

Lay’s RePlay pitches maximise social value, while minimising environmental impact. From the materials making the pitch to the installation, the pitches are designed to be as environmentally sustainable as possible. In partnership with GreenFields, a global artificial pitch manufacturer, the empty Lay’s chip packets are collected from local waste and recycling partnerships and given a second life – shredded and converted into pellets that form the underlying layer beneath the turf, called Ecocept™. Both the turf and Ecocept™ layer are 100% recyclable at the end of their life span. Beyond the turf, Lay’s has committed to adopting a carbon compensation strategy that will ensure all pitches deliver a net zero carbon footprint over their life spans of an estimated 10 years.

This global initiative and commitment by Lay’s has been verified by independent consultancy, Good Business, with an in-depth study finding that Lay’s RePlay pitches have a significantly lower environmental impact than alternative artificial pitches across several areas, including: reduced greenhouse gas emissions, microplastic pollution, recyclable material and turf, ecological disturbance, and water usage.

Aleksander Čeferin, the chairman of the UEFA Foundation for Children, states, “We’ve seen first-hand how football and sport can be used to better people’s lives. By working together and supporting Lay’s RePlay, we are having an instant impact on thousands of people who may not otherwise have anywhere to play or an opportunity to develop for the better.”

Lay’s has longstanding ties in the football community and is an official partner of the Men’s UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women’s football. The brand launches Lay’s RePlay as a progression of the artificial pitches it developed with the UEFA Foundation for children in Jordan’s Zaatari and Azraq Refugee Camps in 2017 and 2018, which have since provided 35,000 people with access to the sport.

For further information on Lay’s RePlay project and access to the video.

I was lucky enough to start playing football at a young age and it transformed my life. Everyone deserves the chance to play and fall in love with the sport, and Lay’s RePlay is giving communities across the world that opportunity. I’m proud to give back through this project and excited about the impact it can have on the next generation.”

- Lionel Messi, global Lay’s ambassador and six-time Ballon d’Or winner

08_Lays RePlay Training with Tembisa Participants

06_Lays RePlay Pitch_Participants Training

About PepsiCo

Project partner

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $70 billion in net revenue in 2020, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker, Tropicana and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 23 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. "Winning with Purpose" reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of our business strategy and brands. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

About streetfootballworld

Project Partner

streetfootballworld is a non-profit organisation representing the world’s largest community of organisations implementing programmes in the field of football and sport for good, with nearly two decades building and implementing social impact strategies through sports and particularly football in cooperation with a wide range of partners – from the football industry, sponsors, governments, and private partners. The streetfootballworld network is an initiative created by the organisation to connect and empower community organisations using football in specific, and sport in general, as a tool to drive social impact.

For more information, visit www.streetfootballworld.org

2021 UEFA Foundation for Children awards announcement

19 organisations rewarded for their daily support of vulnerable children

The board of trustees of the UEFA Foundation for Children met by videoconference on 3 June, with the UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin, in the chair. The board received updates on and discussed the foundation’s ongoing projects, with a special focus on the activities that will take place during the eagerly awaited UEFA EURO 2020.

Appointment of a new ambassador

The trustees unanimously agreed to appoint Eugénie Le Sommer as the foundation’s first female ambassador. The French international and captain of the Olympique Lyonnais women's team, Le Sommer looks forward to shining a spotlight on the foundation’s initiatives, in particular its promotion of gender equality in sport and empowerment of women. She follows in the footsteps of other international footballers such as Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitić, who also recently became an ambassador to help promote the foundation’s work around the world.

2021 award winners

The board’s spring meeting is also when the UEFA Foundation for Children selects its annual award winners among charities and other organisations working in favour of children's rights. Organisations are nominated by the UEFA member associations. The year, it was decided to share the total amount available (€1m) equally among 19 organisations. Each will therefore receive €52,630.

“The past year has been particularly difficult, but it is encouraging to see how the NGO partners have been able to adapt and innovate to support the growing number of children in need because of this pandemic”, says Aleksander Čeferin. “We are pleased to be able to support 19 additional organisations in Europe through the 2021 UEFA Foundation for Children award.”

List of 2021 Foundation for Children award winners:

IOC code	UEFA member association	Award winner
ARM	Football Federation of Armenia (FFA)	Girls of Armenian Leadership Soccer (GOALS)
AZE	Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA)	Azerbaijan Autism Association and Care-for the healthy generation
BLR	Belarus Football Federation (ABFF)	international charity ‘Children. Autism. Parents.’
CRO	Croatian Football Federation (HNS)	Prijatelj association for people with disabilities
CYP	Cyprus Football Association (CFA)	One dream, one wish’ association for children with cancer
DEN	Danish Football Association (DBU)	Parasport Denmark
ENG	English Football Association (The FA)	Football Beyond Borders
FRA	French Football Federation (FFF)	Comité Ethique et Sport
GER	German Football Association (DFB)	Agapedia Foundation
ISR	Israel Football Association (IFA)	Yeladim – Fair Chance for Children
ITA	Italian Football Federation (FIGC)	Fondazione LAPS
MDA	Football Association of Moldova (FMF)	Special Olympics Moldova
MLT	Malta Football Association (MFA)	Richmond Foundation
NED	Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB)	Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur (Youth Fund Sports & Culture)
NIR	Irish Football Association (IFA)	Irish FA Foundation
POL	Polish Football Association (PZPN)	Fundacja dla Dzieci z Cukrzycą (Foundation for Children with Diabetes)
RUS	Football Union of Russia (FUR)	Culture of Nations’ Fund for Socio-Cultural Development and Innovation
SUI	Swiss Football Association (SFA)	Florijana Ismaili FI9
WAL	Football Association of Wales (FAW)	FAW Trust

Call for projects 2021

The UEFA Foundation for Children’s next call for projects will be open from 28 June to 15 August 2021. Applicants from all over the world can submit their project proposals on the foundation website, where all the necessary information and the selection criteria will be published. The board of trustees will select projects and announce its decisions at its next meeting, in November.

Eugénie Le Sommer supports the UEFA Foundation for Children

Investing in younger generations is second nature to France’s top female goal-scorer.

The UEFA Foundation for Children is proud to announce that Olympic Lyonnais striker Eugénie Le Sommer has become its first women’s football ambassador. The French national team’s top goal-scorer hopes to use her high profile and football’s popularity to raise public awareness of children’s rights and education issues around the world.

“When they offered me this new role,” she explains, “I jumped at the chance, for various reasons. First, I’m committed to UEFA and understand all the good it can do for the women’s game and I know a bit about its foundation. But, above all, I am very committed to children’s education and giving young people the educational resources they need to grow up in the best environment. I want to help future generations, and I’m already doing that. So, now I’m looking forward to my new role.”

In signing for the foundation, she follows in the footsteps of Ivan Rakitić, the Croatian midfielder who became an ambassador in February.

Meaningful impact

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, who is chairman of the UEFA Foundation for Children, is delighted that Le Sommer has committed her time to backing this important cause.

“Eugénie Le Sommer is one of the greatest forwards of her generation but, just as importantly, she is someone who wants to make a meaningful impact off the pitch to give children the chance to have a better future,” said the UEFA president. “I am delighted with the commitment, willingness and energy that Eugénie has shown in helping youngsters around the world, and we are looking forward to working closely with her to achieve these goals.”

Commitment to children’s education

“Education is important to me,” says Le Sommer, “and it’s a sector I want to invest time in. We need to send young people the right messages now, so that they have a positive impact throughout their lives. I also want to share the pleasure of playing and my passion for football by helping those who need it in any way possible. Sometimes, the smallest details can actually change lives. I’ve become aware of that over the course of my career.

“Children’s education, access to sport and equal opportunity are issues that have affected my own life, so obviously they matter to me. But everything the foundation does interests me, and I’m prepared to help out in all the various sectors.”

Supporting girls

Eugénie already has experience promoting youth football. She has accompanied various NGOs to schools to encourage youngsters to play football. She also organises all-girls football camps, called Stage Eugénie Le Sommer. During the two-day camps, girls play together, share advice, talk about their shared passion for football and enjoy some exclusive time with the national team player.

“The most important thing,” Le Sommer explains, “is to enjoy life, and I think that denying yourself what you love for the wrong reasons can only make you unhappy. I can only encourage any girls who want to play football to go for it. You should never live with regrets about missing out on what you love.

“We have a privileged place in society. Using our public image to help those in need is just great. Not everyone has the chance to make other people happy. Nowadays, professional female footballers have that opportunity and that’s a good thing.”

Greater visibility for women’s football

Eugénie is enthusiastic about the revamped UEFA Women's Champions League, because the new group stage makes it more similar to the men’s competition. This format ought to result in greater competitiveness in the game and between teams, thereby raising the overall standard of the tournament.

“It is important for the Women’s Champions League to be broadcast all over the world so it can be seen by as many people as possible,” she says. “Especially in countries where they are less used to seeing women play football. This media coverage will enable young female footballers to progress and improve, for the good of women’s football in general. Girls will gain the inspiration they need as they develop and grow, and that will make all the difference.”

Lyon's French forward Eugenie Le Sommer celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League final football match between VfL Wolfsburg and Lyon at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on August 30, 2020. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Wolfsburg v Lyon - UEFA Women's Champions League: Quarter Final Second Leg

FC Barcelona Women v Olympique Lyon Women - UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Final 2nd Leg

Football combats all forms of discrimination

Seven Football for Unity festivals will be held in UEFA EURO 2020 host cities to showcase how football can create bridges between people and promote the social inclusion of third-country nationals in their host countries.

The UEFA Foundation for Children teamed up with streetfootballworld, the European Football for Development Network and non-profit grassroots football organisations for the Football for Unity project to foster the social inclusion of third-country nationals sustainably through active participation and exchange in football-based initiatives. Football for Unity officially kicked off in January last year, with funding from the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the UEFA Foundation for Children.

Since its launch, Football for Unity has been capacitating local stakeholder groups to implement their own local legacy sports programmes and impactful events against a background of UEFA EURO 2020. Seven Football for Unity festivals are due to be held alongside the tournament in Amsterdam, Budapest, Copenhagen, Dublin, London, Munich and Rome.

“Migration and asylum are major challenges for Europe. The Football for Unity project is based on shared European values, such as humanity and responsibility,” said Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president and chairman of the UEFA Foundation for Children. “UEFA EURO 2020 is an ideal platform to show how football promotes social inclusion and multiculturalism. Football has the power to unite people and to promote difference as a strength.”

The potential of sport has become increasingly recognised by the EU, and football in particular has proved to be a powerful tool to foster respect and promote inclusive communities.

“Football has the incredible ability to bring people together, promote mutual understanding and share life lessons with young people for the benefit not only of these individuals, but society as a whole. We are thrilled to be part of Football for Unity, which uses the power of the beautiful game to further social cohesion and drive constructive discourse on migration and inclusion in UEFA EURO host cities and communities,” commented Vladimir Borković, the co-founder of streetfootballworld.

In addition to the Football for Unity festivals, the project brings together young third-country nationals and young Europeans in seven European capitals in a series of local football programmes, youth forums and integration activities. These initiatives offer the youngsters various opportunities to interact, learn from one another, acquire life skills, become agents of change and build a community.

Additional information on the Football for Unity project.

Project partner

A second life for UEFA Europa League centre circle

A second life for UEFA Europa League centre

Hankook Tire produces string bags out of the banner and invites children from local NGOs to attend the final in Gdansk

Long-running official sponsor of the UEFA Europa League, Hankook Tire uses the UEFA Europa League centre-circle carrier programme to literally put young football fans at the centre of the action, walking the centre circle onto the pitch as part of the opening ceremony.

The UEFA Europa League is an important part of Hankook Tire’s sports marketing strategy. Football is one of the most popular sports in the world and plays a major role, in particular, in European countries with high tyre sales potential. Hankook Tire is very pleased not only to be continuing its successful partnership with the UEFA Europa League but also to be using its association with this major event to contribute to such a great corporate social responsibility project.

Most matches in the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League were played behind closed doors, meaning Hankook was unable to invite young people to take part in this unique experience.

To enhance the legacy of the programme and to promote sustainability in football, Hankook Tire and UEFA have recycled the 2020/21 banner material into unique, usable bags. From this arose the idea to use the bags for a good cause, in cooperation with the UEFA Foundation for Children. The finished bags, filled of exclusive gifts and invitations to the UEFA Europa League final in Gdansk, were donated to Amp Futbol Polska and Fair Play Program, two organisations working to support children with special needs in Poland. A total of 60 string bags and match tickets were handed over to the children by UEFA ambassador Jerzy Dudek. It was a very special moment for the children and a unique experience to fulfil their dreams of attending a UEFA Europa League final.

“After a long time without spectators I'm looking forward to the UEFA Europa League Final” said Jerzy Dudek, UEFA Ambassador. “It's nice that Hankook, as a long-standing partner of UEFA, supports two such great organisations by bringing them to the game.”

“It’s an awesome experience today made possible by Hankook. Seeing Manchester United and Villarreal FC is something really special for me. A dream comes true” stated one of the young participants.

The bags were produced by German non-profit organisation Lebenshilfe Bruchsal e.V., which supports people with disabilities in various ways, including job opportunities at six production sites it runs in the district of Karlsruhe. Each bag is unique because it is made from a different part of the centre-circle banner.

The UEFA Foundation for Children has secured an additional 50 tickets to the UEFA Europa League final, to be shared by Hope for Mundial, winners of the 11th Polish Football Championship for Children from Care Homes in 2020 and Fair Play Program.

Kids form Fair Play Program

Kids from Amp Futbol Polska

About Hankook Tire

Project partner

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Hankook Tire manufactures globally innovative, award winning radial tyres of proven superior quality for passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, RVs, trucks, and buses as well as motorsports. Hankook Tire is aspiring to bring consumers the utmost excellence in product quality, technological excellence and driving satisfaction. Hankook Tire’s European headquarters are located in Neu-Isenburg near Frankfurt am Main in Germany. The manufacturer operates further branches all over Europe. Hankook Tire employs approximately 20,000 people worldwide and are selling their products in over 180 countries. Hankook Tire has been represented in the renowned Dow Jones Sustainability Index World (DJSI World) since 2016. For more information please visit http://www.hankooktire-mediacenter.com or www.hankooktire.com

FedEx Express and UEFA Foundation for Children support young footballers in Poland

Over 3,000 player mascot kits donated to charities that use football to connect young people and make a positive impact in their lives.

Warsaw, 25 May 2021 – FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and the world’s largest express transportation company, has donated over 3,000 football kits to young footballers in Poland in cooperation with the UEFA Foundation for Children. The donation was organised in connection with the UEFA Europa League final, taking place in Gdansk on 26 May. FedEx Express is an official sponsor of the UEFA Europa League.

The 2021 UEFA Europa League final is being held at Gdańsk Stadium. In advance of the event, FedEx Express and the UEFA Foundation for Children have donated football equipment to more than 3,000 young Polish in footballers. Młodzieżowe Stowarzyszenie Inicjatyw Sportowych (MSIS), located in Mragowo, received 800 football kits and 200 footballs. Over 2,500 kits and 200 balls were also donated to Amp Futbol Polska to support two initiatives: the Junior Amp Futbol programme aimed at children and young people with amputations and limb disabilities, and the Futbol Plus project supporting football academies for children with various disabilities.

“Football offers many opportunities for social integration and well-being. Especially in these challenging times, it is important to support young people in their physical development. As a company, we want to promote sport among children and continue to complement our professional football sponsorship with locally beneficial initiatives. Our team is incredibly proud of this part of our sponsorship,” said Mariusz Mik, Vice President Ground Operations Eastern Europe, FedEx Express.

This is one of many joint initiatives by FedEx Express and the UEFA Foundation for Children to promote sport among young people. Since becoming official sponsor of the UEFA Europe League in 2015, FedEx Express has collaborated on various programmes that use football as a platform for social change, as well as organising player mascots for the finals in Basel (2016), Stockholm (2017), Lyon (2018) and Baku (2019). The player mascots programme has given over 1,000 children a chance to meet their football heroes. For many of them this was a unique and unforgettable experience. While taking the necessary precautions, Polish children will have the chance to meet their football idols at this year’s final on 26 May.

We are grateful for the generosity of our partner FedEx Express, who has decided to invest in programmes promoting football in underprivileged communities and supporting the football for good movement. With the player mascot programme, we give children living in Poland an experience that will forever remain in their hearts and memories.

- Urs Kluser, General Secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - MAY 24: The match officials prepare to lead the two teams out prior to the UEFA Europa League Final between Ajax and Manchester United at Friends Arena on May 24, 2017 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Simon Hofmann - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

2017 UEFA Europa League final in Stockholm with children from three community football projects:

Barn till Ensamma Mammor, Trygga Barnen and Kista Sports Club.

2018 UEFA Europa League final in Lyon with children from Sport dans la Ville

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - MAY 29: Fedex during the UEFA Europa League Final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Baku Olimpiya Stadionu on May 29, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Joosep Martinson - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

2019 UEFA Europa League final in Baku with an all-girl player mascot line-up in support of women’s football at a grassroot level promoted by Football Federation of Azerbaijan.

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - MAY 18: Fedex player escort kids are seen prior to the UEFA Europa League Final between Liverpool and Sevilla at St. Jakob-Park on May 18, 2016 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Simon Hofmann - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

2016 UEFA Europa League final in Basel with children from four community football projects:

Dream Team Basel; SRD Young Stars; Basel Helps; Pestalozzi Children’s Village

About FedEx Express

Project partner

FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable deliveries to more than 200 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed up the delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenue of $79bn, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively and innovating digitally under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 570,000 team members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit about.fedex.com.

UEFA Foundation for Children signs Ivan Rakitić

Croatian legend is "looking forward to putting smiles on children's faces" as the organisation's first official ambassador

The UEFA Foundation for Children is proud to announce that Sevilla midfielder Ivan Rakitić is to join the organisation as its first official ambassador. The former Croatian international will have the opportunity to take part in UEFA Foundation-led initiatives, as well as promoting the good work undertaken by the body to help improve the lives of children worldwide.

“To be a part of the UEFA Foundation family gives me a lot of pride,” Rakitić explained.

“I’m really happy about it, and it gives me a lot of responsibility to show everyone that together with the UEFA Foundation and all the players we can accomplish a lot and, above all, help children all over the world smile with joy. The fact that I’m a father of two girls means that I know and understand how important it is to see that smile on children’s faces.”

Commitment to improving lives

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, who is also chairman of the board of the UEFA Foundation for Children, is delighted that Rakitić has committed his support to the organisation.

“Ivan Rakitić is not only one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, he is also a person who wants to make a tangible difference away from the pitch in order to improve the lives of others,” said president Čeferin.

“I have been extremely impressed with Ivan’s commitment and desire to help children around the world and we are looking forward to working closely with him in order to achieve these goals. The door is always open for players, both past and present, to follow Ivan’s example and join the UEFA Foundation in an ambassadorial role.”

Being part of a family

Having won the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2015 and a year earlier the UEFA Europa League as captain of Sevilla, Rakitić also amassed over 100 caps for Croatia. While he has no immediate plans to hang up his boots, he already has one eye on a post-footballing career.

“I hope that I have many good years ahead of me on the pitch, but of course once I retire, I’m convinced that I’ll have more time and more opportunities to travel and be available," he said.

“Obviously, I want to give [this ambassadorial role] my all from day one. But when that [retirement] day finally arrives, I’m sure that I’ll have more time [to take part in projects] and my excitement will only increase.

“The idea of being a part of this family already has me excited to get started, and I hope to be able to do so for many years because I can see how important it is. It’s important work that affects us all, which is to make many children happy.”

I have been extremely impressed with Ivan’s commitment and desire to help children around the world and we are looking forward to working closely with him in order to achieve these goals. The door is always open for players, both past and present, to follow Ivan’s example and join the UEFA Foundation in an ambassadorial role.

- Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president

Hungary v Croatia - UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifier

Rakitic (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

UEFA Foundation for Children launches digital transformation

The foundation is going digital thanks to a participatory evaluation project created in collaboration with KeeeX.

Since it was established in 2015, the UEFA Foundation for Children has been supporting projects that offer practical support for vulnerable children in the fields of sport, health, education, personal development and employment. Over that time, the foundation has financed 275 projects in 109 countries across all six continents. In order to ensure that funds are used wisely, activities are organised in line with the agreed objectives and each project complies with the foundation’s code of ethics, representatives are sent to conduct the necessary checks on-site. Although this is an essential task, it is very costly in terms of both time and money, not to mention the environmental impact. The COVID-19 pandemic has made these visits even more problematic.

In January 2021, a pilot project was launched in collaboration with three NGOs based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jordan and Ukraine.

Although it is important to carry out on-site visits to some projects, this remote auditing system will significantly cut our travel costs as well as reducing our carbon footprint,” explains Urs Kluser, general secretary of the foundation. “It will make it easier for us to monitor how the funding we send to our partners is used and the savings we make will enable the foundation to support a greater number of projects."

"KeeeX is proud to be contributing to the work of NGOs and associations on the ground by supporting their outreach activities with its remote auditing solution,” says Laurent Henocque, KeeeX founder and CEO. “The UEFA Foundation for Children provides a remarkable illustration of the ethical strength of a dematerialised, transparent relationship of trust, a relationship made possible by our technology combined with the Bitcoin blockchain.”

The UEFA Foundation for Children entered the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2021 with KeeeX. These prizes recognise projects for their excellence in supporting the implementation of WSIS outcomes, in particular the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They were developed in response to requests from WSIS stakeholders to create an effective mechanism to evaluate projects and activities that leverage the power of information and communication technologies to advance sustainable development. The winners will be announced in May 2021.

About KeeeX

Project Partner

KeeeX provides solutions that make all documents, data, processes and decision chains verifiable and traceable. Founded in 2014, this French start-up combines in its patented process the best of cryptography, digital signature and blockchains. Its products are used in audits, the industrial sector and supply chains, as well as the media, services, luxury goods, agrifood, energy, banking, insurance, legal and compliance sectors.

UEFA Foundation for Children supports Gazprom pitch donation in Serbia

UEFA Champions League partner Gazprom has sponsored a football pitch for the benefit of 1,000 school children in partnership with the UEFA Foundation for Children.

Over a thousand children in Bavanište have been given a lasting footballing legacy following the donation of a pitch by UEFA Champions League partner Gazprom. The initiative is backed by the UEFA Foundation for Children, while ‘Football Friends’, a local charity and partner of streetfootballworld, helped to select the location.

The ‘field in a box’ pitch was built at the Bora Radić primary school in Bavanište, a village about 40km east of Belgrade. Football Friends will be responsible for maintenance while also coordinating training sessions to ensure the local children get the best possible footballing education.

“We welcome Gazprom’s move to join the football-for-good movement and together we look forward to improving the lives of children and empowering them through football,” said the UEFA president and chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees, Aleksander Čeferin. “More than ever, during this sanitarian crisis, it is important to enable school children to exercise regularly, give them hope and raise their spirits.”

As part of the handover, an exhibition match was held to inaugurate the new pitch, with mixed teams of boys and girls playing in the ‘Football Friends’ league.

“Gazprom supports youth sports and a healthy lifestyle,” said Aleksey Miller, the chairman of the Gazprom management committee. “We believe in the importance of children’s football development and hope that, through our support for the field in a box project, more youngsters will have the opportunity to join the football community.”

Launched in 2015, the UEFA Foundation for Children uses football as a springboard to empower children around the world. This is achieved through sporting and educational projects that give children a safe place to learn and play, which ultimately improves their long-term prospects. So far, we supported 275 projects in 109 countries across six continents. This has benefited almost 1.2 million children, while an impressive 32 football pitches have been built throughout the world with the help of the UEFA Foundation.

55 new children’s projects approved

This Friday, the UEFA Foundation for Children celebrates World Children’s Day, using the magic of football to support the children who need it most.

On Wednesday 18 November, the foundation’s board of trustees, chaired by the UEFA president, Aleksander Čeferin, met via videoconference to discuss new projects and the institution’s future.

The foundation’s fifth anniversary, this year, is an opportunity to review its past activities and reflect on the future. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the new challenges it has brought with it, the UEFA Foundation for Children was able to rely on its partners’ commitment to help it safeguard children’s rights.

The most anticipated decision of this session was the allocation of the 2020/21 budget of €4,812,021 to new projects or an extension of existing projects, in line with its mission to protect children’s fundamental rights in health and protection, children with disabilities, education and personal development, access to sport, integration of minorities and protection for victims of conflicts.

Approximately half of the foundation’s budget is earmarked for projects in Europe while the rest supports projects in other continents. In all, 55 projects are supported along with three new pitch constructions in Europe in partnership with Lay’s.

“The Foundation views the pandemic as an opportunity to continue to use the beautiful game of football to assist so many organisations, in Europe and around the world, that focus on the needs of children and help them to keep their hopes and dreams alive. Thanks to the support we and our sponsors provide, children are helped to develop and reach their full potential, with dignity and in full protection of their rights.”

Norman Darmanin Demajo, member of the board of trustees

55 NGO projects were selected for financial support from the UEFA Foundation for Children: 24 in Europe; 16 in Africa; 8 in America, 6 in Asia; and 1 in Oceania.

Organisation	Project Name	in Europe
ActionAid Hellas	Beyond goals 2	Greece
Ayuda en Acción	Fairplay4life	Spain
Barça Foundation	FutbolNet	Greece
Bellevue di Monaco	Intercultural rooftop sports court	Germany
Syndrome of Love	Football for Children with Down Syndrome	Russia
European Football for Development Network (EFDN)	EFDN STEM & Football Education Programme	Bulgaria, Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
Fondation Arménienne Pour le Développement Durable	Génération Sport	Armenia
Football Association of Moldova	Let’s play outside	Moldova
Foundation Just for Smiles	Smiles for Children	Switzerland
Impala Performance ASBL	Mbo Mpenza Challenge	Belgium
Katamon Moadon Ohadim	Hapoel Katamon’s Neighborhood League	Israel
Kicken Ohne Grenzen	Football Without Borders	Austria
Liverpool School Sport Partnership (LSSP) Foundation	Finding my potential	United Kingdom
Młodzieżowe Stowarzyszenie Inicjatyw Sportowych (MSIS)	Football3 empower girls	Poland
Oltalom Sport Association	New challenges, new opportunities	Hungary
	Adopt a ball	150 countries worldwide
Peres Center for Peace & Innovation	Sport in the Service of Peace	Israel
Rio Ferdinand Foundation	Youth in Action	Northern Ireland
Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI)	Football versus Discrimination	Republic of Ireland
Sport dans la Ville	Vocational Centre	France
Sportske Igre Mladih	Youth Sports Games 2021	Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia
Stichting het Gehandicapte Kind	Bijzondere Eredivisie	Netherlands
streetfootballworld GmbH	Safeguarding children certification programme	Europe
Ukraine Football Development Charitable Foundation	Cup of Trust	Ukraine

Organisation	Project Name	in Africa
Aliguma Foundation	Sports for Resilience & Empowerment Project	Uganda
Georges Malaika Foundation	Future Leaders of Kalebuka	Republic Democratic of Congo
Grootbos Green Futures Foundation	Football Foundation: Sports for Good	South Africa
iACT	Refugee-led sport and early Childhood Education Programme	Chad
Kick4Life	Good Health & Climate Action through Football	Lesotho
La balle aux prisonniers	Sport for reintegration	Ivory Coast
Libre Vue	Solidarité Aveugle	Mali
Light for the World	We are the Champions	South Sudan
Médecins du Monde	Bophelo Ke Kgwele (The game, the Life)	South Africa
Right to Play	Girls on Track	Tanzania
Samusocial International	Promote social inclusion through sport for street children and youth in Pointe-Noire	Republic of Congo
Solidarité Marathon des Sables	Sport Centre in Ouarzazate	Morocco
Street Child	Improving the psychosocial well-being of conflict affected displaced children	Mozambique
Triangle Génération Humanitaire	Strengthen protection, socio-educational activities and social reintegration of vulnerable minors	Central African Republic
Unis vers le Sport	Les gazelles de la Teranga	Senegal
Water4wildlife Maasai Mara	Kick the ball, Save our wildlife	Kenya

Organisation	Project Name	in America
Fabretto Children's Foundation Inc.	Promoting sports to build resilience in rural Nicaragua	Nicaragua
Fight for Peace	Unity & Peace	Jamaica
Fundación Empate	Empate for Argentina	Argentina
Global Outreach And Love of Soccer (GOALS)	Team Goals	Haiti
Johan Cruyff Foundation	A safe space to play for children in Cabreúva, Brazil	Brazil
Mama Alice	Football, fun and friends camp	Peru
Rêves Passion Montreal	Soccer Urbain pour le rêve et l'espoir	Canada
Starfinder Foundation	Senior Leaders	USA

Organisation	Project Name	in Asia
Action for Development	Street children back to school	Afghanistan
Asia Football Development Programme	Kick for hope	Jordan
Baan Dek Foundation	Football4good	Thailand
Cross Cultures Project Association	Bringing Fun Football to Children in Syria	Syria
Fundlife International Inc.	Football for Peace Academy	Philippines
Indochina Starfish Foundation	Playing for Equality	Cambodia

Organisation	Project Name	in Oceania
Just Play	Just Play programme	American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Island, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, India

Orama Neon Youthorama "Adopt a ball"

Just Play action at half time. OFC U-17 Championship 2013, Fiji v Papua New Guinea, Luganville Soccer City Stadium, Vanuatu, Sunday 21st April 2013. Photo: Shane Wenzlick

Just Play "Just Play programme"

Grootbos Green Futures Foundation " Football Foundation Sports for Good"

Fabretto Children's Foundation "Promoting sports to build resilience in rural Nicaragua"

Children from all over Europe help design the 2020 UEFA Super Cup match ball

18 children from all over Europe help design the 2020 UEFA Super Cup match ball

18 Children's drawings from ten UEFA Foundation for Children projects will feature on a specially designed match ball for the annual meeting between the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League.

When FC Bayern Munich and Sevilla FC contest the 2020 UEFA Super Cup match on 24 September at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, they will use a football covered with 18 different childrens’ drawings.

Children from across the continent were encouraged to submit drawings showing what football meant to them in a contest organised by the UEFA Foundation for Children together with ten partner organisations. The drawings are the work of 18 children from different backgrounds from ten European organisations that work together with the UEFA Foundation for Children.

The winning drawings were selected from over 200 entries by the chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin. Children from nine European countries (Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland) will see their drawings feature on the unique match ball.

Below are some of the winning entries.

Czech Republic

Lea and Marcus showed in their drawings that football is for everyone. They play football with Fotbal Pro Rozvoj, a football programme in the Czech Republic. Lea explains the football they play:

“The fair play football is played in three parts. In the first part, we agree on the rules. For example, when children in a wheelchair score, it counts double.”

Football has taught them that everyone can be part of the game. Lea drew a person in a wheelchair with some other children – showing they can all play football together.

“Fair play football is for everyone, so I wanted to highlight that. And there are no limits for the people, maybe only in their heads, but if they want to play, they can play.”

Marcus likes the team spirit in football. He describes their fair play football tournaments:

“We play fair, most of the time, but sometimes there are fouls, or we have arguments. But most important is teamwork and to score great goals"

Netherlands

Drawings by youngsters Mika (right) and Oscar (left), who are both from s’Hertogenbosch, will appear on the ball. They were part of the Talent Group project run by the Ruud van Nistelrooy Foundation to assist children with their personal development.

Mika: ”At the foundation I had a great time and I have learned how to get better at playing football. The drawing represents a mascot who presents the trophy to the winning team. For me, football isn't always about winning but also the fun we have during the match.”

Oscar: “Football has been an important part of my life for 8 years. Together with my friends winning, and sometimes also losing - they are the the best things about football!”

Portugal

Sara was a member of Brincar de Rua Ludotempo in Portugal, where children play sport in a safe environment.

“My favourite activity is playing football with my friends. For me, football is friendship and unity. I tried to show this with my drawing. It’s a football field with hearts and girls holding hands.“

Spain

Daniela, Yolanda and Patricia from Spain, who all take part in football training with Red Deporte, will see their drawings feature on the ball. The Red Deporte programme encourages young people from local marginalised groups to go to school to improve their academic performance. Daniela (below left) illustrates equality in her drawing:

“The message is this: we can all play football and enjoy the game equally across the world. If you are white, black, disabled, a boy or a girl, and without racist insults or without having to offend a girl because she has played badly. Respect.”

Patricia (middle) illustrates unity, no matter if you win or lose.

“With my drawing I want to say to all people that football unites everyone on an equal basis. We all have to team up to win or know how to lose.”

Yolanda (right) depicts the fun side of football in her drawing:

“It is friendship that is important especially helping each other to play together. It is victory and joy. Football always entertains me. I play with my friends during break times. It is a sport to be played by many and I value everyone's effort, even if some are better than others.”

Switzerland

Malcolm is a member of Autisme Genève and he joined the project ‘La vie en bleu’. By participating in and organising events, and disseminating information, Autisme Genève seeks to engage with the public, inviting people to discover what autism is like.

Malcolm loves football. It helps him interact with other children. When Malcolm is not outside playing football, he loves to draw.

“I combined by passions of drawing and football with this competition. If I want to be alone, I stay at home and draw, but if I want to spend time with my friends, I go outside to play football. On the football pitch I spend the best time. Together with my friends we run, play and have fun."

Other winners from Switzerland include Mia and Fabio, who are members of PluSport, which offers sports activities for children with disabilities. Mia and Fabio play football in one of PluSport’s football teams.

In their winning drawings, they show that everyone can play football, no matter who you are.

To view stories from other winning entries, visit the UEFA foundation website to see drawings from Germany, Hungary, Lithuania and Slovenia.

The UEFA president and foundation chairman, Aleksander Čeferin, is delighted with the initiative:

I’m sure the children will be thrilled to see their drawings on the Super Cup match ball and to know that stars of our game will be scoring goals with it. It was inspiring to see all the excellent drawings and hear the stories of the children. I hope that the joy they feel by seeing their artwork on the ball for such an important match will motivate them not only to play football, but also to follow their dreams.

- Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Malcom poses for a photo during a UEFA Foundation for children drawing contest for SCUP 2020 photoshoot on September 20, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Harold Cunningham - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

I combined by passions of drawing and football with this competition. If I want to be alone, I stay at home and draw, but if I want to spend time with my friends, I go outside to play football. On the football pitch I spend the best time. Together with my friends we run, play and have fun.

- Malcolm is a member of Autisme Genève

My favourite activity is playing football with my friends. For me, football is friendship and unity. I tried to show this with my drawing. It’s a football field with hearts and girls holding hands.“

- Sara, member of Brincar de Rua Ludotempo in Portugal

2020 UEFA Foundation for Children Awards

The €1 million support for 20 European Children's charities

The spring UEFA Foundation for Children board of trustees meeting was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, our work has continued even during this challenging period and our chairman, Aleksander Čeferin, decided to nominate the 2020 UEFA Foundation for Children awards as planned and additionally grant financial support to the Youth Sports Games, the biggest amateur sports event for children and youth in Europe.

In accordance with the foundation’s status and regulations, the decisions were taken in a written procedure.

2020 UEFA Foundation for Children awards

The foundation has asked the 55 UEFA member associations to nominate charities in their countries according to the following criteria:

All award recipients must be based in the country of a UEFA member association.
Potential recipients must accept and comply with the foundation charter and ethics code.
Potential recipients must have been registered with the relevant national authorities for at least three years and comply with national legal obligations.
The activities carried out by recipients must be aimed at helping vulnerable, deprived or socially excluded children, and must never involve the promotion of talented young footballers.

The Board of Trustees has decided to divide the total funding – €1m – equally between 20 nominees, with the 20 organisations below each receiving a €50,000 grant:

CIO	Associations	NGOs
AUT	Austrian Football Association	SOS-Kinderdorf
BEL	Royal Belgian Football Association	Koninklijke Sporting Club City Pirates
BLR	Belarus Football Association	SOS-Сhildren’s Village Marjina Gorka
CRO	Croatian Football Association	The Croatian Down Syndrome Association
CZE	Football Association of the Czech Republic	Real Top Praha
DEN	Danish Football Association	The danish christmas seal foundation
ENG	English Football Association	Coaches Across Continents Ltd
EST	Estonian Football Association	SOS Children's Village Association of Estonia
GER	German Football Association	In safe hands e.V.
GIB	Gibraltar Football Association	Help Me Learn Africa
ITA	Italian Football Association	Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù
LTU	Lithuanian Football Association	Nemuno krašto vaikai
NIR	Irish Football Association	Irish FA Foundation
POL	Polish Football Association	Hope for Mundial Association
POR	Portuguese Football Federation	Ludotempo – Associação da Promoção do Brincar
RUS	Football Union of Russia	Under the flag of kindness
SCO	Scottish Football Association	Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation
SVN	Football Association of Slovenia	Youth Health and Summer Resort Debeli Rtič
SWE	Swedish football Association	KIF Örebro DFF
UKR	Ukrainian Association of Football	Football Development in Ukraine

Youth Sports Games

The board has decided to allocate €50,000 to this year’s festival, which will be organised as soon as the situation eases up. This event will have a special signification after the Covid-19 pandemic, and we hope it will inspire children and help bring a positive spirit back to the region. The games are held in three countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia. In 2019, as many as 202,000 youngsters competed.

Call for projects 2020

The UEFA Foundation for Children will launch a new call for projects from 1 July to 15 August 2020. Applicants from all over the world can submit their projects on our official website, where they can find all the necessary information and the selection criteria in due time. The board of trustees will select projects and announce its decisions at the next meeting in November.

The current health crisis is challenging the world and having devastating effects on the most vulnerable communities. Our partners need our support more than ever in this uncertain period to enable football and education programmes in underserved communities to carry on once the pandemic is over.

- Urs Kluser, general secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children