UEFA Foundation for Children visits MYSA, Nairobi

UEFA Foundation for Children visits MYSA, Nairobi

Opening the door to possibility

The Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) is a youth-led organisation founded in 1987 by Canadian Bob Munro to harness the power of sport for community change. In 1994, Mathare United FC was founded, a professional club that grew out of the MYSA youth programme and went on to win Kenya’s top league in 2008 – proof that local talent, when nurtured, can reach the very top.

 

The UEFA Foundation for Children has supported MYSA for years, funding programmes that blend football with education, health awareness, employability and inclusion. The foundation’s grants to MYSA – awarded in 2019, 2024, 2025 and 2026 – total €309,886.

This collaboration reflects the foundation’s broader mission to protect children’s rights and create opportunities worldwide through sport.

 

The MYSA Centre, a place of hope

MYSA’s mission is to provide opportunities for boys and girls from informal settlements to realise their potential, both on and off the pitch.

Edwin Wasonga, who accompanied us throughout our visit last January, started at MYSA as a young football player and is today the Executive Director. He took us on a tour of the MYSA Centre and its buildings and activities, during which we met staff members responsible for running different programmes, all former beneficiaries of the association. “When there is a job opportunity at MYSA, we give priority to the people who benefited from and participated in life at MYSA,” said Edwin. “It is a way of giving our people a chance if they have the competencies needed for the job.”

  • Health and rights: Knowledge that protects

Since 1994, MYSA’s Slum Health and Rights Programme has offered HIV testing, medication and counselling, sexual and reproductive health education, peer‑education training, safeguarding support and referrals – practical, youth‑friendly services that meet young people where they are. This programme empowers beneficiaries to make the right decisions related to their well-being.

  • Libraries: Quiet places of discovery

MYSA has four libraries, one of which is a digital library. These locations are regularly used by school groups of all ages because many local schools lack resources to cultivate a reading culture and provide safe spaces for learning. The young people love coming to the library – it offers them a moment of freedom and the chance to discover new subjects and interests that inspire them.

  • Sporting spaces where confidence grows

The largest area of the MYSA Centre is dedicated to sport. It includes a fitness room, a multipurpose hall equipped for badminton and table tennis, an artificial football pitch donated by FIFA before the World Cup in South Africa and a large football pitch.

The youth transformation projects funded by UEFA use the sport for development model, supporting the personal and social development of young people through sport and recreational activities at the grassroots level.

  • How MYSA leagues build skills on and off the pitch

MYSA has established football leagues for children aged 4 to 17. In 2025, there were 1,745 teams: 1,018 boys' teams, 402 girls' teams and 325 mixed teams.

In league matches, scoring goals is not the only factor that counts. Teams and players can earn extra points for fair play and participating in community activities, while yellow and red cards result in point deductions. This system promotes respect, teamwork and social responsibility both on and off the field.

By participating in these activities, young people acquire skills that help them avoid engaging in risky or antisocial behaviour, such as substance abuse, violence or crime. The project uses sport to raise awareness about health, safeguarding and physical and emotional well-being.

 

Mathare, a slum located in the heart of Nairobi

As the association’s name suggests, MYSA started in Mathare.

Home to approximately 200,000 people, Mathare is one of Africa’s largest informal settlements – a place where daily life is a struggle for survival. Here, families live in fragile homes clustered along narrow pathways, and most residents are single mothers raising their children alone. Many have been abandoned by their partners, who have avoided their responsibilities and left young mothers to shoulder the entire weight of parenthood alone, often with several children in their care. Most MYSA beneficiaries are children raised by single mothers.

With no access to training and no steady income, these mothers take on small tasks, like washing clothes for neighbours or selling small items on the street, accepting any job that appears. And when hardship becomes unbearable, some are driven to desperate, high‑risk choices simply to make sure their children have something to eat.

Life in Mathare is difficult. Water must be purchased. Electricity is unreliable or nonexistent. Toilets are a luxury. Every day demands resilience.

For many children, childhood ends far too early. To support their mothers, they leave school – where fees are required – and begin working, long before they should. By adolescence, some are drawn into gangs, not out of choice, but out of a lack of alternatives. And so, the cycle of poverty tightens its grip, generation after generation.

 

MYSA offers a lifeline. Through its community football programmes, children discover a safe space where they can simply be children – play, laugh and breathe away from the pressures of life. The sports field becomes their refuge and their source of hope.

Some of the players from Kenya’s national football teams come from the MYSA programme, proof that they have been able to change their living conditions and those of their families by becoming professional football players

For those who demonstrate dedication and leadership, MYSA goes even further by providing scholarships, helping prevent children from dropping out of school. By covering school fees, MYSA opens the door for these children to an education they could never have afforded on their own. For many, this support is truly transformative, as good education can change lives and break the cycle of poverty.

The healthcare and rights programme also plays a crucial role, as the community faces challenges related to disease, violence and substance abuse. Through this programme, MYSA provides information, guidance and support to empower young people to make informed decisions and become drivers of positive change within their community.

Edwin Wasonga:

“We believe deeply in the potential of young people growing up in the slums, because they represent the change we want to see. Our goal is to help them take ownership of their future and their environment. That is why we focus on working hand in hand with the community’s young leaders, strengthening their capacity to lead, inspire and build lasting transformation.”

 

Library – Through the pages

Across the road from the settlement, the Mathare North community library, managed by Charles Ajoe, welcomes countless children and young adults who come here to read, draw, discuss, dance and study in a safe and inspiring environment. He organises engaging opportunities such as book awards to encourage children to read selected titles and video conferences with authors to give young readers a chance to engage directly with the stories they love. He also promotes exchanges with youngsters in other countries, creating meaningful conversations around themes explored in the books. Through these experiences, children are motivated to read more and discover new worlds beyond their own – through the pages.

 

He remembered when children from Scotland and children from Mathare shared their thoughts about the same book. In the story, a monkey enters a classroom. The Scottish children’s reaction was to take care of the monkey and feed it bananas, while the Kenyan children’s response was to chase the monkey away and keep the bananas for their lunch break.

The MYSA programme – and especially the library – plays a vital role in supporting the education of young pupils. Many of these children live in the slums of Kenya and have no access to learning facilities, so they look forward to visiting the library, listening to stories and exploring picture books.

 

Victorious King Education Centre

We had the privilege of meeting Martha Mwangi, director of the Victorious King Education Centre, who opened the doors of her school so we could meet the pupils, from the very youngest to teens. They spoke candidly about their dreams, and the teachers described the changes they’ve seen since joining MYSA’s activities.

Martha Mwangi, director of the Victorious King Education Centre:

“Since our school joined the MYSA programme, we have seen remarkable positive changes in our children. Previously, many of them struggled with low self‑esteem and lacked confidence in themselves and in life. Through participating in MYSA activities and learning new skills, these children have become more active, more engaged and more emotionally stable – both in and out of school. The library has opened a new world to them: they read together, their writing and English have improved, and books have become a powerful source of growth and encouragement.”

 

League day in Korogocho: Coaches who came back to give back

Accompanied by Robert Menya, the league match coordinator, we visited the MYSA sports field in Korogocho to watch some league matches. What impressed us most was not only the talent on the pitch, but the spirit and determination driving it.

These young players are guided by coaches who once stood exactly where they stand today – children shaped by MYSA’s grassroots football programme. Having grown up on the same fields, faced the same challenges and shared the same dreams, they now return as mentors, committed to giving the next generation the opportunities they once received.

Thanks to specialised training provided through MYSA by the Football Kenya Federation, these coaches have strengthened their skills, gained new confidence and are now empowering their teams to aim higher, play better and truly believe in themselves.

Mohammed Ismael, coach, Under-15 girls’ team:

“It isn’t easy to coach teenage girls here. Families struggle to afford even basic equipment, and social pressures can keep girls at home. MYSA helps them grow their talent and confidence – on and off the pitch. As a coach, I try to instil determination, consistency and focus in everything they do.”

Catherine Monthe, coach, Under-12 and Under-13 girls’ teams

“The first challenge is simply finding girls, because not all parents support their daughters playing football. Menstruation can complicate participation, too. But once they join, they make friends, learn life skills and keep coming back. Sometimes a little practical support – like soap or slippers – helps us keep them in the game.”

 

Asher’s story and transformation

Asher is a 13‑year‑old girl who lives in Korogocho. Orphaned at a young age, she now lives with her grandmother, Rosemary. Her older brother is currently in prison, leaving Asher and her grandmother to navigate life on their own, a life with many struggles, which brought the young girl close to dropping out of school.

Asher joined the MYSA programme five years ago, after MYSA representatives visited her school in search of new participants. From the very first day, she discovered a genuine passion for football – one that quickly grew into an extraordinary talent.

Her dedication and active participation in the programme earned her a MYSA education sponsorship, allowing her to stay in school. Although Asher understands the importance of education, football has become her main source of joy, confidence and purpose.

Today, she is determined to be among the few young athletes selected to travel to Norway to participate in the Norway Cup 2026, the world’s largest youth football tournaments. For Asher, this is more than a competition – it is the chance of a lifetime.

Asher has already participated in two championships with MYSA, during which she received medals and a MYSA jersey. In 2024, she was named player of the match.

Her grandmother is very proud and supportive of her and is grateful every day for the opportunity that MYSA has given to Asher: to have a better life.

Rosemary, the grandmother

“I am so proud of my granddaughter, and my heart is full of gratitude for the coach who cares for her and all the other girls. They lift each other up, growing together in ways they could never do alone. She goes to school, and I no longer ask her to do the heavy housework – I want her to have the childhood and opportunities I never had. The coach’s commitment has been a blessing to our family.”

Asking Asher about her dream, she replied:

“My dream is to play football and help my family and other children who have no shelter and nothing to eat.”

 

IMPACT OF MYSA

30,000+ registered members

1,745 teams in 2025 (1,018 boys’ teams, 402 girls’ teams and 325 mixed teams)

10,000+ young people informed about health and their rights

6,000+ scholarships

3,000+ grassroots coaches

1,300+ library users

In 2008, 80% of the Kenyan national football team, as well as the technical team, came from the MYSA programme.

 

Water4Wildlife in the Maasai Mara Reserve

Water4Wildlife in the Maasai Mara Reserve

A foundation rooted in conservation and community

The Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, about 250km from Nairobi, is home to the Water4Wildlife Foundation, registered in 2019 by Christine Cherop de Harder, a Kenyan woman deeply committed to protecting ecosystems, wildlife and the natural environment.

The organisation’s mission is clear: to protect wildlife and their habitats while inspiring children and young people – through football – to become future wildlife conservationists.

Water4Wildlife combines two powerful pillars:

  • Ecosystem conservation – protecting wildlife and the environment, creating separate waterpoints for humans and wild animals
  • Football – using the most loved and followed sport in the region to educate children at an early age to cherish and protect their environment and support conservation efforts.

For the past five years, Water4Wildlife has proudly partnered with the UEFA Foundation for Children, working together on:

  • Distribution of football kits
  • Construction of football pitches at Ilkimatare and Ngosuani primary schools
  • Construction of a fully equipped girls’ club

 

Safe access to clean water

Near the Water4Wildlife campus lies a small Maasai settlement of manyattas where ancestral traditions remain strong. Women here play a central role. They build the manyattas (traditional Maasai homes), fetch water for drinking, cooking and washing, prepare fire using wood and flint and ensure the well-being of their families.

Stephan Parmuat, the elder of the community, explains the transformation the community has experienced:

“Before the sun rose each morning, our journey began. Women walked long distances to reach the only water source we knew. The path was long, and when we finally arrived, they often found wild animals – zebras, buffaloes, even elephants – were drinking from the same place. The water was dirty, full of germs. That caused our children to catch diseases such as typhoid and cholera. But it was the only water we had.

Then everything changed.

Water4Wildlife brought hope to the community. After identifying a clean water source next to the mountain, the foundation built a system to pump safe water next to the village. The water was clear, fresh, safe and easy to reach. For the community, it was life‑changing.”

Christine Cherop de Harder added:

“The Maasai Mara is vast and dry. Humans and wildlife often share the same water sources, leading to conflicts. Water4Wildlife’s goal is to create as many separate water points as possible so that communities have safe access to water, wildlife can drink without coming into dangerous contact with people, children can spend more time learning and playing than fetching water, and women, who benefit perhaps the most, save hours each day and avoid dangerous encounters with wild animals.”

   

Rangers: Protectors of wildlife

On our visit, we met children from three different local schools benefiting from the football kit donated by the UEFA Foundation. Some rangers joined too, to play football with the pupils and teach them about wildlife conservation and how to behave in the presence of wild animals, so they can better understand and protect them.

Local wildlife rangers play a vital role in educating children about conservation. Every day, they ensure the safety of animals in the conservancy.

“If an animal is sick, we give first aid,” one ranger explains. “We also monitor for unusual movements or signs of poachers.”

Suzanne, a ranger and conservation advocate, adds:

“It is important to transfer our knowledge to the younger generations. This ensures the continuity of wildlife conservation in our reserve. We take care of a pair of rhinos – Kofi Annan and Queen Elizabeth – who are the pride of our reserve.”

 

From water to football: A vision for education

The initial focus was on water for wildlife, but Christine soon realised the community was suffering too, so she expanded the project to include water points for people and educational activities for children.

Football quickly became a powerful tool.

“It is the most popular and loved sport here,” Christine says. “Boys and girls play equally. So, I gave them a ball, and after playing, we began to talk about wildlife conservation.”

This is how programmes like Football4Wildlife, Football4Trees and Football4Environment were born.

They began in schools, but the dream soon grew. Christine wanted a safe space where children, especially girls, could gather. This led to the creation of the girls’ club: a place where Maasai parents know their daughters are safe, supported and inspired.

     

Thinking about the future, Christine hopes the girls’ club will empower girls to take on leading positions in the field, where more women are needed as vets, drivers, rangers and conservationists.

Girls have little life outside school and domestic work. This club will give them freedom, confidence and a future.”

 

St John Paul II Mission Boarding Primary School

We received a warm welcome from the teachers and the 700 students, from first to eighth grades. We also connected with their girls’ football team, who thanked the UEFA Foundation for helping them defend their rights through football.

The girls’ club plays an essential role: it gives girls the opportunity to meet mentors to discuss their rights, to develop their skills and talents, to preserve their cultural heritage through recycling waste, nature protection, and to enjoy regular football practice.

 

 

UEFA Foundation for Children brings hope and inclusion to Nisida young offenders through football

UEFA Foundation for Children brings hope and inclusion to Nisida young offenders through football

On 27 November, the UEFA Foundation for Children joined the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Scholas Occurrentes at the Nisida institute for young offenders in Naples to celebrate a key milestone in the Zona Luce project. The initiative, launched in 2024 and recipient of the UEFA Foundation for Children Award, uses football as a powerful tool for education, inclusion and social reintegration.

A ceremony was held to mark the conclusion of months of training and value-based education for young detainees, who received their Grassroots Level E – Social Football certificates in an event that celebrated hope and transformation. The course, which was supervised by the FIGC’s youth and school department, introduced participants to the fundamentals of grassroots football while promoting values such as respect, courage, identity and resilience. Weekly sessions combined technical learning with discussions on inclusion and personal growth, preparing the boys for life beyond the prison walls.

The event was attended by key figures, including Gianluca Guida, director of the institute, Vito Tisci, president of the FIGC’s youth and school department, María Paz Jurado, president of Scholas Occurrentes Italia, Håkan Sjöstrand, senior strategic advisor for UEFA and the UEFA Foundation for Children, the President of EAV, Umberto de Gregorio, and the Councillor for Sports of the City of Naples, Emanuela Ferrante. Their presence underscored the shared commitment to offering second chances through sport.

“Zona Luce is a powerful reminder of how football can open doors to hope and new beginnings,” said Håkan Sjöstrand. “Meeting these young people reaffirmed the game’s ability to transform lives. This project embodies true partnership and a deep belief in second chances – giving these boys the opportunity to rewrite their story.”

The project also aims to create a bridge between the institute and the outside world, offering opportunities for social reintegration through internships, cultural activities and creative workshops. By combining football with education and art, Zona Luce provides young people with tools to rebuild their lives and rediscover hope.

Beyond football, Zona Luce integrates art and culture into its rehabilitation pathway. On the same day, the institute unveiled its own ‘Sistine Chapel of the Young’, a stunning mural created by detainees in collaboration with the Naples Academy of Fine Arts. The artwork symbolises resilience and hope, featuring powerful images such as a couple facing a stormy sea and a floor opening to reveal clocks – reminders that a new day is always possible.

Supported by UEFA Foundation for Children, the project will continue to expand, offering new workshops, internships and creative initiatives. As the foundation celebrates its tenth anniversary, Zona Luce stands as a beacon of hope, showing how football can illuminate paths of redemption and build bridges toward a brighter future.

Zona Luce is a powerful reminder of how football can open doors to hope and new beginnings. Meeting these young people reaffirmed the game’s ability to transform lives. This project embodies true partnership and a deep belief in second chances – giving these boys the opportunity to rewrite their story.”

- Håkan Sjöstrand, senior strategic advisor for UEFA and the UEFA Foundation for Children

Driving inclusion through football

Driving inclusion through football

Football for Unity 2.0 is a Europe-wide initiative co-funded by the European Union and led by Common Goal in partnership with the UEFA Foundation for Children. Building on the success of Unity 1.0, which ran during UEFA EURO 2020, this programme harnesses the power of football to promote social inclusion, combat racism and strengthen solidarity across Europe.

A consortium of 14 project partners across 11 EU member states – Austria, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Spain – is working together to develop expertise and a shared approach to integration, anti-racism and the tackling of discrimination through sport. By creating safe spaces and inclusive environments, Football for Unity 2.0 aims to ensure that football remains a unifying force for communities everywhere.

Running from September 2023 to February 2026, Unity 2.0 focuses on creating safe spaces, providing inclusive coaching and supporting the community-led integration of young people from refugee, migrant and host communities. The programme is structured around two key pillars:

  • Switch the Pitch: An anti-racism and inclusive coaching initiative targeting coaches, youth teams and fan groups. Activities include fan engagement at UEFA EURO 2024, volunteer workshops and the development of an anti-racism toolkit for clubs.
  • Team Up for Solidarity: It’s an active collaboration between local organisations and football associations across Europe, offering young migrants and refugees opportunities to learn, grow and integrate through sport.

Highlights so far:

  • Successful fan zone activations and volunteer training during UEFA EURO 2024
  • Launch of an anti-racism curriculum in Germany, followed by localised versions in Latvia, Italy and Spain
  • Over 1,000 inclusive football sessions delivered across partner countries, empowering young people and promoting cultural understanding
  • Strong community impact through initiatives like Austria’s Kicken ohne Grenzen, Spain’s Fútbol Más and Romania’s refugee inclusion programmes

Football for Unity is about more than a game – it’s about building bridges, creating opportunities and shaping a future in which diversity is celebrated. As we move into the next phase, our focus remains on empowering communities, strengthening partnerships and ensuring that football continues to be a force for good.

Update on the project: Link to Newsletter

About the European Union

Project partner

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (2021-2027)

About Common Goal

Project Partner

Common Goal is united by the joy of football and the absolute belief in the game’s ability to change the world.

 

Luís Figo, Ivan Rakitić and Gabriella Csányi join the UEFA Foundation for Children board as 100 new projects are approved

UEFA Foundation for Children Board Meeting 2025

Luís Figo, Ivan Rakitić and Gabriella Csányi join the UEFA Foundation for Children board as 100 new projects are approved

Foundation selects global initiatives following its 2025 call for projects, reinforcing worldwide commitment to children's rights and well-being

The UEFA Foundation for Children board of trustees has approved a new portfolio of 100 projects designed to promote the fundamental rights of vulnerable children across the globe. These initiatives were selected at its meeting, chaired by UEFA president  Aleksander Čeferin, on Monday 3 November, following the foundation’s annual call for projects, which invites organisations that share thttps://uefafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/cp-103_-list-of-projects-en-69203a0924960.pdfhe foundation's values to propose practical measures to support children in need.

Marking its tenth anniversary, the UEFA Foundation for Children board also welcomes Luís Figo, Ivan Rakitić and Gabriella Csányi as its newest members, bringing fresh perspectives and renewed energy to its mission.

Several long-serving board members will continue their involvement with the foundation in new capacities. Clarence Seedorf will serve as advisor to the president for social affairs, while Andrea Radrizzani will take on the role of advisor to the foundation. Fiona May becomes a UEFA foundation ambassador, and Margarita Louis-Dreyfus will become a friend of the foundation.

Aleksander Čeferin, President of UEFA and Chair of the UEFA Foundation for Children, stated: “I am proud to welcome our new board members to the UEFA Foundation for Children. Their deep understanding of the game and their experience working with children will bring valuable perspective and passion to our mission.  I would also like to express my gratitude to long-standing members transitioning into new roles. Together, we will continue to harness the power of football to inspire hope, joy and opportunity where it’s needed most."

Luís Figo, UEFA Foundation for Children Board Member: “I’m looking forward to supporting and promoting all the foundation’s projects around the world. Every child is a champion, and I’m proud to be part of a team that believes in their potential.”

Ivan Rakitić, UEFA Foundation for Children Board Member: "It’s an honour to join the board after many fulfilling years as an ambassador. Children are at the heart of everything we do; they are our future, our inspiration. I’m committed to doing all I can to bring them joy, hope and opportunity through the power of football."

Gabriella Csányi, UEFA Foundation for Children Board Member: “It’s a great honour to join the UEFA Foundation for Children board. Having spent my career working with disadvantaged yet talented children, this feels like a meaningful recognition of that journey. I truly believe in equal opportunities, and when we empower children with the right resources, they can achieve anything.”

€6.8m allocated to 100 projects

The UEFA Foundation for Children works to uphold and advance the rights of vulnerable children worldwide, welcoming applications from organisations that align with its values of and propose impactful actions in the following areas: access to sport, personal development, disabled children, health, conflict victims, gender equality, environmental protection, employability, infrastructure and equipment and strengthening partnerships.

A budget of €6,855,000 was allocated to this year's call for projects, representing a €2m increase on 2024's figure.

The UEFA Foundation for Children administration examined and evaluated every project submitted, with final decisions made at this week's meeting in accordance with its statutes and ethical code.

Foundation board member Dominique Blanc, who participated in the selection process: “The projects selected represent a bold step forward in our strategic vision. Each initiative was chosen not only for its potential impact, but also for the strength of its partnerships and alignment with our core values. We are confident these efforts will deliver meaningful results on the ground.”

The board extends its appreciation to all partners and stakeholders who contributed to the development and proposal of these projects. The full list of 104 new projects across all continents is available here.

The next call for projects is scheduled for June/July 2026.

I am proud to welcome our new board members to the UEFA Foundation for Children. Their deep understanding of the game and their experience working with children will bring valuable perspective and passion to our mission.  I would also like to express my gratitude to long-standing members transitioning into new roles. Together, we will continue to harness the power of football to inspire hope, joy and opportunity where it’s needed most.”

- Aleksander Čeferin, President of UEFA and Chair of the UEFA Foundation for Children

Mastercard brings Girls4Football to Switzerland – the programme for young female footballers aged 6 to 16

Mastercard brings Girls4Football to Switzerland – the programme for young female footballers aged 6 to 16

    Girls4Football is an initiative by Mastercard in partnership with the UEFA Foundation for children that emp

    After a successful start in Germany, England, France, Italy and Spain, Girls4Football is now also coming to Switzerland.

    Partner of Girls4Football in Switzerland is the Northwestern Football Association.

Mastercard is launching Girls4Football in partnership with the UEFA Foundation for children in Switzerland. The programme aims to promote the physical and emotional well-being of girls and young women through sports and shared leisure activities.

Girls4Football is teaming up with the Northwestern Swiss Football Association (FVNWS) for this purpose. Between 6 and 15 young female footballers will gather at 9 locations across the cantons of Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft and Aargau (see table below). Some of them are already part of the Northwestern Swiss Football Association and come from diverse backgrounds.

Girls4Football inspires and empowers girls and young women to unlock their potential and explore new opportunities through football – on the pitch and beyond. In addition to football training, the programme offers support from physiotherapists and educational workshops that equip participants with essential life skills – such as managing money and building self-confidence.

Daniel Schaub, President of the Northwestern Swiss Football Association, commented:
"The partnership with Girls4Football is a milestone for us in promoting women's soccer. The low barrier to entry and the social nature of the program are important and sustainable factors for success."

Almost 100 girls and young women make the start

As of now, almost 100 girls and young women will take part in the programme – some are already playing football, others are rediscovering the sport for themselves. This diversity is intended to enrich the training and strengthen the community. The participants come from the city of Basel or the surrounding communities and have learned about Girls4Football through friends, school projects or leisure activities. Parents, trainers, and teachers also played a crucial role in raising awareness of the programme.

 

Mastercard and "Bend it like Beckham" author publish companion book to Girls4Football

Girls4Football is rooted in Mastercard’s over 30-year sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League and was developed in collaboration with the UEFA Foundation for children. Launched in Germany, England, France, Italy, and Spain earlier this year, the programme partners with local organisations in each country to empower girls through football. In its first year alone, more than 1’000 young female footballers joined the initiative.

To mark the launch of Girls4Football, Mastercard has published the book "The Playbook: Mastering the Game" – written by British author Narinder Dhami, known for the cult classic "Bend it like Beckham". It tells the inspiring life stories of eleven of football's most impressive trailblazers – including that of Imke Wübbenhorst, who was the first woman in Germany to coach a men's team in a higher league and now leads the women's team of the BSC Young Boys in Bern.

Switzerland, the newest country to join the Girls4Football programme, now counts over 46’000 licensed female footballers – a record high that marks a remarkable 60% increase since 2020.

Daniela Massaro, Country Manager Switzerland and Liechtenstein at Mastercard, says: "At Mastercard, we believe in the power of sport to inspire and empower young people. The Girls4Football program is designed to give girls and young women the confidence they need to achieve their goals – on and off the field. With early financial education, we are laying the foundation for them to be successful in any professional field."

Carine N'koué, General Secretary of the UEFA Foundation for children, added: “It is impressive to see how fast the Girls4Football program is growing, reaching new countries, new girls around Europe. This time it is in Switzerland! Sport is one of the most powerful tools for social change. By empowering girls, giving them the opportunities to live their passion for football but also to be better equipped with resources to attend their goals outside the pitch, Girls4Football contributes to that change.”

 

Girls4Football, number of participants by city and canton

Training days: Tuesday and Wednesday

 

Place Canton Participants
Therwil BL 12
Rankhof BS 7
Binningen BL 10
Muttenz BL 8
Stein AG 6
Bachgraben BS 15
Erlenmatt BS 6
Lausen BL 15
Bubendorf BL 12
Planned: Riehen BS

 

For more information, see https://uefafoundation.org/action/girls4football

The partnership with Girls4Football is a milestone for us in promoting women's soccer. The low barrier to entry and the social nature of the program are important and sustainable factors for success."

- Daniel Schaub, President of the Northwestern Swiss Football Association

About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)

Project partner

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Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

www.mastercard.com

Educating parents, leaders and young people: EPLAY project concludes at UEFA Foundation HQ

Educating parents, leaders and young people: EPLAY project concludes at UEFA Foundation HQ

The Final conference celebrates the impact of the ‘Educating Parents, Leaders And Young people’ (EPLAY) project, co-funded by the European Union to promote respect and tolerance.

For the past three years, the Erasmus+ EPLAY project has been promoting fair play among the parents and coaches of children aged between eight and 14 years old, using football as a vehicle to spread a positive message of respect.

Sixteen teams from Malta, Romania and Lithuania implemented activities designed by researchers from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) to transform parents into role models and build more cohesive and welcoming club environments.

Celebrating the successes of the project at UEFA Foundation headquarters in Nyon, researchers presented their findings and were joined by some of the children and parents involved, together with representatives from the participating national associations and partner organisations Athletes Inspire Children, Formodena, UNIMORE and the European Union.

"Football should teach respect, equality and integrity – but unfortunately, that’s not always the case," said EPLAY project leader Loris Vezzali. "We’ve seen instances of disrespectful behaviour from parents, and while it’s a minority, it sends the wrong message to children. Our goal was to create a consistent message: parents must be role models."

 

EPLAY Projects - The numbers
3 Countries
41 Coaches
16 Teams
400 Participants
85% Gained crucial knowledge

 

Life lessons through football

A roundtable discussion featuring Switzerland women’s national team head coach Pia Sundhage, UEFA director of refereeing Roberto Rosetti and former France international Bruno Cheyrou raised ideas and solutions to foster fair and respectful football environments.

Sundhage highlighted three traits that are key to the development of young players: "Understanding. Acceptance. Respect," she said. "If we can paint that picture for everyone, football becomes much more than training and matches – it becomes about togetherness. Always remember: today’s young player is tomorrow’s human being."

For Cheyrou, allowing children to make mistakes is important. "As you grow in football, the higher you go, the fewer mistakes you can afford – but as a young player, making mistakes is part of the journey,” he said. “You have to accept them and keep moving forward."

 

 

The conference concluded with an informal question-and-answer session, during which participating children and parents shared their opinions about the project and the importance of its values.

"The programme has taught me that you just need to stay quiet," explained Andrius, who took part in the project in Lithuania with his son, Tauras. "It’s not about you, it’s about your child having fun, learning new things and evolving as a human being.

"One of the most important lessons is that body language is super important – they see and hear everything, even if you think they don’t."

 

Everyone has a role to play

Together with a review of psychological scientific literature on fair play in sports, EPLAY project leaders Vezzali and Alice Lucarini surveyed 195 coaches on the frequency of positive and negative behaviour in parents, as well as its impact.

Nearly half of respondents reported that parents’ aggression and insults made players’ performance worse, with 91% of coaches saying they believed they could play a role in altering parental conduct.

 

 

From their findings, Lucarini and Vezzali devised a wide-ranging EPLAY programme involving all parties – players, coaches and parents – featuring seminars and group dance sessions which aimed to empower parents to be positive role models, reframe thinking surrounding the outcomes of sport, and create a team environment which is cohesive and motivational.

Of the more than 400 participants tested, over 85% reported that EPLAY had given them vital knowledge of fair play and inclusion within sport.

"This project goes beyond our usual role of organising competitions and events – it allows us to make a real impact," explained Greta Valikoniené, project leader in Lithuania. "I want to thank UEFA for always connecting us, the national associations, and for supporting our partners who did an excellent job. I truly believe we’ve achieved something meaningful together."

Understanding. Acceptance. Respect," she said. "If we can paint that picture for everyone, football becomes much more than training and matches – it becomes about togetherness. Always remember: today’s young player is tomorrow’s human being."

- Pia Sundhage, Switzerland women’s national team head coach

Celebrating 10 Years of Inclusion: Loukia’s Journey with “A Ball For All”

Celebrating 10 Years of Inclusion: Loukia’s Journey with “A Ball For All”

Yesterday at UEFA HQ, we celebrated more than just the annual Interdivisional Tournament — we marked a decade of impact through the UEFA Foundation for Children. This 10th anniversary was not just a milestone; it was a powerful reminder of how sport can transform lives and foster true inclusion.

One of the most inspiring moments came from 12-year-old Loukia, a beneficiary of the A Ball For All programme. Speaking in the UEFA Auditorium, Loukia shared her personal journey with courage and authenticity.

Born totally blind, Loukia discovered the specially designed mini blind football in 2021 — a moment she described as life-changing.

“Until that moment, I felt isolated. But with this ball, I could play with my brothers, with friends, and then at school. It was my first step into inclusion.”

Thanks to the support of the UEFA Foundation for Children and the NGO Youthorama (recently renamed GRIIIS), Loukia’s journey continued to flourish. She participated in the 2023 Super Cup as a player mascot and accompanied the UEFA President at the closing ceremony, the UEFA EURO in Frankfurt in 2024, and even the Paralympics in Paris, representing blind football.

“Football is one sport. The only difference in blind football is the ball — the rules, the goals, the penalties, the spirit — they’re all the same.”

Her words reminded us that inclusion is not just about access — it’s about recognition, equality, and belonging.

We were also honoured to hear from Elias Mastoras, President of GRIIIS, who shared the incredible journey of A Ball For All — from a spark of inspiration to a global movement now present in 215 countries and territories. Beyond donating mini blind balls in schools, the project is deeply rooted in education and awareness around inclusion.

 

Inclusion in Action

In the afternoon, during the Interdivisional Tournament, UEFA staff had the chance to experience inclusion firsthand through:

  • Blindfolded experiences that offered a glimpse into the world of blind football.
  • Inclusive game using the mini blind ball.

 

To close the day, Loukia was invited to assist in the medal and cup distribution ceremony, a symbolic moment that highlighted her journey from isolation to empowerment.

“I felt promoted as an equal child, like all the others of my age — and it all started with this mini blind ball.”

 

This celebration was more than an event. It was a call to continue building a world where every child feels seen, heard, and included.

A big thanks to UEFA for supporting the UEFA Foundation for Children and inviting our partner GRIIIS to the Interdivisional Tournament.

Football is one sport. The only difference in blind football is the ball — the rules, the goals, the penalties, the spirit — they’re all the same.

- Loukia

UEFA Foundation expands its support for the humanitarian efforts for children in conflict zones

Latest funding partnerships established with Medecins du Monde and Handicap International to relieve the suffering of children in Gaza.

Action follows work with children in and around Ukraine, as well as in Sudan, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Afghanistan.

The UEFA Foundation for Children has announced its latest initiative to help children affected by war in different parts of the world. The new commitments follow action, announced in March 2022, with charities and FAs in and around Ukraine to finance initiatives from UEFA member associations and charities focusing on children’s rights and their well-being. Other previous projects include initiatives in numerous conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria and Yemen supporting projects in favour of children affected by the war.

The latest fundings and partnerships have been set up with three charities providing vital humanitarian help for the children of Gaza, who are enduring what UN Secretary General António Guterres has described as, “a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions.”

The organisations are Medecins du Monde and Handicap International, each working in different ways to help children caught up in the current conflict.

Médecins du Monde has been present in the region since 1995, where the organisation works to improve access to healthcare for civilians. They provide humanitarian aid in the West Bank and Gaza, particularly by preparing healthcare facilities for emergency situations and improving their coordination. In the West Bank, Médecins du Monde also provides psychosocial support to victims of violence with their mobile clinics. They also distribute food kits for children..

Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion has a total of 133 national staff members and more than 500 community workers operating in the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem, Ramallah and Egypt. The organisation specifically helps in:

  • Distribution of first aid kits
  • Emergency aid and rehabilitation: care and medical equipment for the seriously injured and disabled
  • Psychosocial support
  • Education on the risk of explosive remnants

Announcing the initiative, the chairman of the UEFA Foundation, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said:

Whatever the adults waging wars think they are doing, the children are innocent. But, in all conflicts, they are dying every single day and we must do what we can to help those who are trying to make life more tolerable and normal for them.

Through the UEFA Foundation for Children, we strive to support those who are working to ease the burdens the children carry - helping them find moments of peace and hope, even in the hardest of circumstances.

It's our duty - as adults, as parents, as neighbours, as human beings - to stand beside children when they need us. Sometimes, even the smallest gesture can remind them they are not alone, that they are not forgotten and that they are valued. We can't change the world on our own - but children can and will, if we provide them with safety, love and hope they need to grow

- Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA President

UEFA Super Cup 2025: Dreams bigger than the pitch

UEFA Super Cup 2025: Dreams bigger than the pitch 

Football’s greatest power lies in its ability to bring people together and change lives of local children of Udine 

On the occasion of the 2025 UEFA Super Cup, the UEFA Foundation for Children is placing inclusion and solidarity at the heart of the celebration. Nearly 100 vulnerable children and teenagers will experience an unforgettable evening filled with emotion, connection and hope – right alongside some of football’s biggest stars. This event is more than just a match; it’s a symbol of hope, unity and social commitment. 

The Stadio Friuli in Udine will host this year’s UEFA Super Cup, a thrilling encounter between Paris Saint-Germain, winners of the UEFA Champions League, and Tottenham Hotspur, winners of the UEFA Europa League. 

Beyond the excitement on the pitch, the event offers a unique opportunity for the UEFA Foundation for Children to highlight the power of sport to inspire, unite and uplift. Staying true to its mission, the foundation is inviting 90 vulnerable children and teenagers to take part in this extraordinary experience. 

A celebration of inclusion  

This 11th edition of the Super Cup is part of the foundation’s tenth anniversary celebrations and carries a powerful message of hope and inclusion. The young participants come from two local associations: 

  • La Nostra Famiglia, a non-profit organisation specialising in the care and rehabilitation of children and adolescents with serious illnesses or disabilities. La Nostra Famiglia operates 28 facilities across Italy, including one in Udine. 
  • Associazione San Luigi Scrosoppi ETS, which provides a safe, family-like environment for mothers and their children, as well as minors in difficult situations 

These young people, who are often marginalised due to health or social challenges, will be placed in the spotlight throughout the event. 

Moments of magic 

Teenagers from the Associazione San Luigi Scrosoppi and the Udinese youth football academy will also take part in the opening ceremony as performers. Those not on stage will have the chance to meet the players during training the day before the match. 

In addition, the 22 Mastercard player mascots, most of whom are patients at the diabetology and oncology departments of Udine hospital, will walk onto the pitch hand in hand with football stars, and one of them will accompany the UEFA president for the medal ceremony. 

Finally, in partnership with the PSG Foundation, a dream evening will be organised for one young PSG fan who will be invited to attend the final. 

A legacy beyond the game 

“These initiatives reflect UEFA’s broader commitment to using football as a tool for positive change, especially during major events like the Super Cup,” said Carine Nkoué, general secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children. “The UEFA Super Cup is not just a celebration of elite football – it’s also a platform to inspire and empower the next generation. Through our presence in Udine, we hope to leave a lasting legacy that goes far beyond the pitch.” 

To commemorate a decade of impact supporting over 577 projects in 138 countries and reaching nearly 4.9 million children, the foundation’s anniversary logo will be prominently featured, including on the official adidas match balls. 

 

‘I helped hand out the medals!’ – 12-year-old Greta shines at the Women’s EURO 2025 final

'I helped hand out the medals!' – 12-year-old Greta shines at the Women’s EURO 2025 final

At every UEFA final this year, a child invited by the UEFA Foundation walks on the pitch alongside the UEFA President at the winner’s ceremony.

For most kids, watching a football final is exciting enough. But for Greta, a 12-year-old living with Dravet Syndrome, a form of epilepsy, the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 final was something else entirely. She didn’t just watch the match; she walked onto the pitch with the UEFA president and handed out medals to the winning team.

“I was nervous at first, but then I saw the players smiling at me. It felt like I was part of their team,” said Greta, still beaming after the ceremony.

Greta was diagnosed with a genetically caused form of epilepsy when she was six months old. Born in Portugal and living in Switzerland, she is very enthusiastic about sports, especially football and basketball. She is a member of the PluSport association, which organises sporting opportunities for disabled people throughout Switzerland.

A tournament full of firsts

The players of Norway line up for the national anthems prior to the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group A match between Norway and Iceland on July 10, 2025 in Thun, Switzerland. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

UEFA Women's EURO 2025 hasn't just been about football. It has given kids across Europe and beyond a chance to feel seen, included, and inspired. Thanks to the UEFA Foundation, 66 children were invited to act as player mascots on the pitch, while over 2,000 more received match tickets across the eight host cities—many of them experiencing a live match for the first time.

From hospital rooms to the heart of the action

Players interact with the Foundation robots as they arrive at the stadium prior to the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group B match between Italy and Spain on July 11, 2025 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Not every child could sample the excitement in person, but thanks to a partnership with Awabot, a total of eight telepresence robots were placed across four stadiums – Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zurich.

This allowed children in hospitals to virtually attend matches, meet players, and feel the energy of the crowd. With the robots present at 19 matches throughout Women's EURO 2025, nearly 200 children were able to have this experience.

“I was in my hospital bed, but it felt like I was right there with the team,” said one young fan who joined via robot.

2025 free tickets for all

The UEFA Foundation and its partners also handed out thousands of free tickets to local associations, making sure that as many kids as possible could be part of the celebration.

Leaving a legacy after the tournament

The end of the tournament doesn’t mean the end of the impact. Together with the adidas Foundation, the UEFA Foundation is also supporting long-term projects across Europe that encourage children to play football and use sport as a tool to improve their lives. Some of the associations involved were even invited to meet players, attend training sessions, and take part in special events during the tournament – moments that will stay with them long after the final whistle.

 

Legacy for the Future: Changing the game for girls and women

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Europe
Start date 07/01/2025
End date 07/01/2026
Cost of the project €800000
Foundation funding €400000
Project identifier 2025007
Partners adidas Foundation
Categories Access to Sport - Gender Equality - Healthy lifestyle - Personal development - Sponsors

Context

Legacy for the Future is a collaborative project initiated and funded by the UEFA Foundation for Children and the adidas Foundation, involving national football associations and local organizations. After a thorough RFP process, each of the 16 teams competing in the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 was invited to select a gender equity project led by a local organization to champion in their home country. The Legacy for the Future program ensures financial support but also visibility, inspiration, networking, and capacity building. Legacy for the Future harnesses the power of women’s football to dismantle barriers and open doors for girls and women across Europe.

Project goals

The aim is to create a legacy that supports girls and women in claiming space, leadership, and recognition – not only in football but across all areas of life. Aligned with UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, Legacy for the Future is grounded in the belief that sport can be a powerful catalyst for social change, inclusion, and equity.

Project content

These are the gender equity projects led by local organizations that Legacy for the Future is partnering with.

  • Belgium: BX Brussels works with many girls from migrant and Muslim backgrounds, focusing on creating equal opportunities for women on and off the pitch and challenging stereotypes.
  • Denmark: Girl Power partners with young women refugees, immigrants, and marginalized communities in Denmark and across Europe to enable them to play football and take on leadership roles.
  • England: Rio Ferdinand Foundation supports young people from marginalized communities in the UK and Ireland, with a focus on increasing girls’ participation in sport.
  • Finland: Louhento Foundation develops a shared, nationallevel playbook and pilots inclusive football pathways for girls from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
  • France: Kabubu uses sport to support migrants’ social and professional growth through sport-based integration, childcare-inclusive activities, and creating safer spaces.
  • Germany: Safe Hub advocates for gender equity in sport, creates safer spaces for collaboration, and supports young girls from marginalized communities in Berlin’s Wedding district to play football.
  • Iceland: Bergið headspace offers mental health education and support to young players, promoting positive communication and well-being in sport.
  • Italy: ASD Balon Mundial helps young women and nonbinary people develop soft, social, emotional, and leadership skills through sport.
  • Netherlands: Klabu Foundation connects refugees and locals in Amsterdam through sport, removing barriers for girls and women to move, play, and thrive.
  • Norway: Rosa Sko creates safer, peer-led football spaces for girls from marginalized communities and builds pathways for young female coaches.
  • Poland: Trenuj Bycie Dobrym collaborates with schools across Poland to connect girls with women football role models and helps women’s clubs recruit girls for training and feel supported by students and teachers.
  • Portugal: Integrated Dreams promotes the inclusion of professionals living with disabilities, especially women, in the football industry by developing personal and professional skills.
  • Spain: Fútbol Más uses football to help girls in Madrid and Seville, who are facing social and economic exclusion grow as players and people.
  • Sweden: En Frisk Generation aims to get girls traditionally excluded from sport to play, feel seen and heard, and learn leadership skills.
  • Switzerland: The Swiss Academy for Development uses football in a dedicated project to strengthen learning, inclusion, and well-being among children who face systemic barriers to education and sports.
  • Wales: Cymru Football Foundation improves off-field facilities for women and girls across Wales, helping create a safe, welcoming, and inspiring space for grassroots players to thrive.

Partners

UEFA Foundation for Children becomes member of United Nations’ Football for the Goals initiative

UEFA Foundation for Children becomes member of United Nations’ Football for the Goals initiative

On July 3 2025, the UEFA Foundation for Children joined the United Nations’ initiative Football for the Goals, strengthening its commitment to driving positive change across the world.

Football for the Goals, launched by the United Nations in 2022, provides a platform for the global football community to engage with and advocate for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative taps into the power of football not only to raise awareness of the SDGs, but also to bring about positive behavioural change and sustainable practices in the football industry.

By joining this initiative, the UEFA Foundation for Children becomes part of a growing network that uses the power of football to advocate for meaningful change. The foundation is looking forward to working with the initiative’s joint members and contributing to global efforts by promoting values enshrined in the SDGs, such as gender equality, environmental protection and peacebuilding through sport.

About Football for the Goals

Football for the Goals is a United Nations initiative that encourages stakeholders across the global football ecosystem to promote and implement the SDGs. It provides a platform for collaboration and accountability, while helping to highlight sustainability efforts in football.

 

About United Nations

Legacy for the Future: UEFA Foundation for Children and adidas Foundation to change the game for girls and women

Legacy for the Future: UEFA Foundation for Children and adidas Foundation to change the game for girls and women  

Building on UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 to create a lasting movement of equity, empowerment and opportunity in sport 

Legacy for the Future is a collaborative project initiated and funded by the UEFA Foundation for Children and the adidas Foundation, involving national football associations and local organisations. Each team competing in UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 has selected a gender equity project to champion in their home country, ensuring financial support but also visibility, inspiration, networking and capacity building. 

The aim is to create a legacy that empowers girls and women, not only in football but across all areas of life – a groundbreaking initiative aligned with UEFA Women’s EURO 2025. 

As Switzerland prepares to host the largest women’s sporting event in its history, Legacy for the Future will harness the power of women’s football to dismantle barriers and open doors for girls and women across Europe. The project is rooted in the belief that sport can be a powerful catalyst for social change, inclusion and equality. 

A shortlist of project partners was drawn up by the UEFA and adidas foundations and the final selection made by the national teams.  

 National team   Partner 
 Belgium   BX Brussels 
 Denmark   Girl Power 
 Finland   Louhento Foundation 
 England    Rio Ferdinand Foundation 
 France   Kabubu 
 Germany   Safe Hub
 Iceland   Bergið headspace 
 Italy   ASD Balon Mundial 
 Netherlands   Klabu Foundation 
 Norway   Rosa Sko 
 Poland   Trenuj Bycie Dobrym 
 Portugal   Integrated Dreams 
 Spain   Fútbol Más 
 Sweden   En Frisk Generation 
 Switzerland   Swiss Academy for Development 
 Wales     Cymru Football Foundation 

A total of €800,000 will be available to shared among 16 non-profit organisations selected by the teams participating in UEFA Women’s EURO 2025. In addition, the national teams have all committed to meeting the project beneficiaries with a view to creating memorable exchanges and using their positions as role models to guide and inspire young girls to dream, play and shine in football and beyond. By giving the teams the opportunity to meet and greet young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, the message of inclusion and equality is being reinforced. 

Melissa Kaar, managing director of the adidas Foundation, underlined the importance of the project in improving access to sport for women and girls in Europe:

We hope that with this project, we can leverage the attention and joy of UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 to further strengthen gender equity and access to sport for women and girls in Europe. 

- Melissa Kaar, managing director of the Adidas Foundation

The project is already up and running in some countries. In Portugal, for example, the women’s national team met the charity organisation Integrated Dreams and invited youngsters selected by the NGO to attend a training session and spend some time with the players.  

After the session, Dolores Silva, captain of the Portuguese national team, highlighted the importance of the visit and the Legacy for the Future project:

It was a privilege to share our work with the young people who visited us. Their affection and support for the Navegadoras, just before we set off for another UEFA Women's EURO, meant a great deal. A true Legacy for the Future!

- Dolores Silva, captain of the Portuguese national team

Carine N’koué, general secretary of UEFA Foundation for Children, added: 

With Legacy for the Future, we are not just supporting projects – we are investing in the dreams and potential of girls and women across Europe. This initiative is about more than football; it’s about creating lasting change through the power of sport. By connecting national teams with grassroots organisations, we are building bridges of opportunity, inclusion and inspiration that will endure far beyond the final whistle of UEFA Women’s EURO 2025. 

- Carine N'koué, general secretary of UEFA Foundation for Children

About Adidas Foundation

Project partner

The adidas Foundation is a legally independent non-profit organisation established by adidas in 2023. The adidas Foundation’s vision is a world where everyone has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of sport, fostering a healthier, more inclusive and sustainable future for all. Working through partnership development, evaluation and research, advocacy and community engagement, the adidas Foundation strives to achieve its mission of uniting communities through sport, for people and the planet. Learn more at www.adidasfoundation.org  

UEFA Women’s EURO 2025: Championing children’s dreams with the UEFA Foundation

UEFA Women’s EURO 2025: Championing children’s dreams with the UEFA Foundation

As the UEFA Foundation for Children celebrates ten years of global impact, this summer’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 becomes a powerful platform for supporting vulnerable children.

 

During the past decade, the foundation has made significant contributions to improving conditions for disadvantaged children across the world. Established in 2015, it has supported 577 projects across 138 countries and reached nearly 5 million people.

These efforts have promoted children’s rights and used football as a positive catalyst for improvement in areas such as health, education, personal development, inclusion and employability.

The work of the UEFA Foundation for Children sends a strong message that millions of children around the world need help, and we must not leave them behind. It goes beyond UEFA’s deep commitment to social responsibility – it is about standing up for the most vulnerable and using football as a catalyst to inspire and empower them. We’ve reached almost five million children living in difficult and precarious conditions in just ten years. We are proud of the global impact made, but we see it only as a beginning.

- Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president

Bringing the game to vulnerable children

To mark its milestone birthday, the foundation has launched a range of initiatives around this summer's UEFA Women’s EURO.

The 2025 Smiles programme sees a total of 2025 match tickets given to associations working with vulnerable children in the host cities. The player mascots and ball carriers for the group stage matches in Sion, St. Gallen and Thun are a mix of disabled children, orphans from Ukraine and children from disadvantaged social backgrounds in Switzerland.

Furthermore, matches in Basel, Bern, Geneva and Zurich will feature robots that allow children in hospital to see and interact with players as they arrive at the stadium. After the final ball has been kicked, the Foundation will provide long-term support for organisations promoting gender equality through sport, working in cooperation with the adidas Foundation, the Kaizen Foundation, the FIA Foundation and NGOs in the 16 participating countries.

Involving children in the final is just one of the many ways the UEFA Foundation for Children puts young people at the heart of its work.

We must remain focused on the needs of our beneficiaries and keep them at the centre of everything we do. Sports, especially football, have the power to bring communities together, promote health and teach valuable life skills.

- Carine N'koué, general secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children

Ivan Rakitić interview for Champions Journal

Ivan Rakitić interview with Champions Journal

AS THE UEFA FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN CELEBRATES ITS TENTH ANNIVERSARY, AMBASSADOR IVAN RAKITIĆ TELLS ELVIR ISLAMOVIĆ WHY GIVING BACK AS A FOOTBALLER MEANS SO MUCH

It is ten years since Ivan Rakitić swept home Andres Iniesta’s pass to put Barcelona in front against Juventus in the 2015 Champions League final. That will seem like a lifetime to some Barça fans, accustomed to Champions League glory in the early part of this century. It literally is a lifetime for some of the kids he has been helping in his role as ambassador for the UEFA Foundation for Children, which celebrated its tenth birthday on 24 April. Rakitić is now back in his native Croatia and in the middle of a tight race for the title with Hajduk Split. But he was happy to take some time off to explain the responsibility he feels off the pitch as much as on it.

I know how much influence we footballers can have. Footballers can effect change. With only small things, we can make a big difference. Even the smallest gesture can mean the world to someone. As a kid, the chance to meet a famous footballer would have meant more than anything else in the world. So, to be in a position where I can bring joy to children is one of the greatest honours of my life. We have this unique ability as footballers to do something small, and yet it can make an enormous impact. That’s my biggest motivation and my greatest joy.

- Ivan Rakitić, ambassador of the UEFA Foundation for Children

The Foundation supports charities across the word and, since it was established in 2015, it has partnered with 577 projects in 138 countries, reaching nearly five million people. It works to promote children’s rights and uses football as a positive catalyst for improvement in areas such as health, education, personal development, the integration of minorities and employability.

Rakitić recalls one ten-year-old girl in particular leaving a lasting impression. Loukia is fluent in Greek, English, Italian and French and has become a minor celebrity in her own right for her work with the A Ball for All association, supporting blind and visually impaired people. At the Paris Olympics last summer, she became the first person to test out the touch2see tactile tablet, which enables visibly impaired people to feel movements of the ball through vibrations on the tablet. Before that, she had impressed Rakitić with her intelligence and eloquence during a long conversation at the 2023 UEFA Super Cup.

“Meeting Loukia was one of the most beautiful moments for me. Amid the intensity of a major final, that one encounter stood out more than anything else. I had the chance to sit with her, talk and give her a hug – to feel her warmth. It made everything feel meaningful. I think I got more from that moment than she did. A football career lasts 15, 16 or 17 years, depending on the player, but these moments stay with you for life. They remind you why you do what you do. The passion, the drive – it all comes back to something simple: sharing happiness. Being there for your family and for others. I think when you have that perspective, everything else falls into place. Being part of something bigger than football is what gives meaning beyond the pitch. This anniversary is a reminder of how much has been done, and how much more is possible. I’m excited for the future.”

The Foundation also supports work at the Za’atari refugee camp in the Jordanian desert, which is home to nearly 80,000 Syrian refugees, 57% of whom are children. Sports activities such as football give children the opportunity to play even in a situation of war.

Projects like that are incredibly important, those children have talent and dreams, but they also face huge challenges. We can help give them motivation and energy. The Foundation doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach – it finds different ways to help kids, no matter the circumstances. There’s no better feeling than seeing the impact, helping children feel like children again. To play, laugh, connect, that’s the real win. Seeing them find joy in the middle of such difficulty is inspiring. It reminds us that hope is powerful, and that with just a little support,  these kids can thrive. And if we can help even a few of them believe in a better future, then it’s all worth it.

- Ivan Rakitić, ambassador of the UEFA Foundation for Children

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