UEFA Foundation for Children inaugurates Lay’s RePlay pitch in Santa Marta, Colombia

UEFA Foundation for Children inaugurates Lay's RePlay pitch in Santa Marta, Colombia

Together with partners Margarita RePlay®, Fundación Tiempo de Juego, Fundación PepsiCo Colombia and Common Goal, the UEFA Foundation provides local community with a safe space to play football.

Perfect ten! The UEFA Foundation, Margarita RePlay®, Fundación Tiempo de Juego, Fundación PepsiCo Colombia and Common Goal are proud to unveil the tenth sustainable RePlay pitch in Santa Marta, Columbia.

Made of recycled bags of chips, RePlay pitches provide five-a-side and training facilities that are ideal for communities with limited access to spaces, where they can enjoy the game and develop their skills.

First launched in 2021 in South Africa, the programme has seen other pitches come to life in Brazil, Egypt, the USA, Italy, Mexico, the UK and Turkey, benefitting 1.200 participants per month.

The initiative results from strong partnerships with local associations, building spaces and programmes that bring people together and drive positive change for generations to come.

Urs Kluser from the UEFA Foundation for Children:

"UEFA is proud to be part of a new launch of Margarita RePlay®, which will benefit a new community. By bringing this initiative to Colombia, we hope to improve the opportunities of young people through the power of football by providing them with key life and social skills".

RePlay facilities are much more than just pitches. In addition to artificial turf for five-a-side football, the local communities can access tailored education programmes focusing on four key areas: creating a sense of belonging, boosting engagement, promoting safety, and ensuring access to sport.

The new football field in Santa Marta will benefit at least 500 members of the local community through targeted events and programmes, with Fundación Tiempo de Juego delivering 20 hours of football to 150 participants every week, focused on:

  • Increasing skills connected to environmental care through sports and playful learning.
  • Promoting social fabric and coexistence through play-based community events.
  • Providing meaningful sports activities to youth to foster social-emotional skills.
  • Increasing participation of females in the community in football activities to 50%.

The initiative combines the fun and passion of football by creating a field that encourages the spirit of belonging and drives benefits for the surrounding communities”.

- Daniel Velásquez, Marketing Sr Director of PepsiCo for Andean Region

About Lay's

Project partner

Lay's is one of the brands that makes up Frito-Lay North America, the $23 billion convenient foods division of PepsiCo, Inc. (Nasdaq: PEP), which is headquartered in Purchase, NY. Learn more about Frito-Lay at the corporate website, http://www.fritolay.com/ and on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/fritolay. Learn more about Lay's by visiting www.facebook.com/lays or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lays. You can also follow Lay's on Instagram by visiting http://instagram.com/lays

About Common Goal

Project Partner

Common Goal is a global impact movement that exists to unite the football community in tackling the biggest challenges of our times. The movement creates opportunities for every stakeholder of the football economy to play a meaningful role in serving the wellbeing of our people and planet.

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Activity report 2022/23

Activity report 2022/23

Dear Friends,

It is often said that our shared strength, kindness and bravery are most evident during challenging times. Unfortunately, the past year has been marked by a series of devastating events, putting humanity to the ultimate test, and we find ourselves still navigating through uncertain times.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues unabated, and a newly distressing situation has emerged in the Middle East, where millions of civilians and children are suffering the repercussions. Additionally, we must not forget the tragic loss of 50,000 lives in the catastrophic earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria last February, with many more injured and displaced from their homes, still dealing with the aftermath.

During this turbulent period, the UEFA Foundation for Children remains unwavering in its commitment to helping the most vulnerable, with a particular emphasis on young children and girls, refugees and internally displaced people.

We are all familiar with stories that underscore football’s profound influence on people’s lives. However, this report sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect, which deserves more recognition: our beloved sport inspires millions of children worldwide, nurturing their dreams and aspirations for a more promising future, in a world where every child is acknowledged and respected.

This activity report outlines various projects undertaken in 2022/23, showcasing the tangible positive impact on children's lives globally. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our partners for their exceptional efforts, and for the love, care and respect they have shown to the generations of tomorrow.

Access to the online report.

 

 

 

Johan Cruyff Foundation, Pelé Foundation and UEFA Foundation for Children collaborate to create a safe place to play in Santos.

Johan Cruyff Foundation, Pelé Foundation and UEFA Foundation for Children collaborate to create a safe place to play in Santos.

The global initiative giving packaging a new purpose brings a new pitch to IztapalapaThis new facility is the 300th Cruyff Court worldwide and will havea huge impact on a vulnerable community.

The Johan Cruyff Foundation has just opened the Cruyff Court Pelé in Santos (São Paulo, Brazil) in a touching ceremony that paid tribute to two footballing legends. This new facility, the 300th Cruyff Court worldwide, marks a milestone for the charity and is set to have a significant impact in Dique da Vila Gilda, one of the city’s most socially vulnerable neighborhoods. Susila Cruyff, the daughter of Johan Cruyff and board member of the Cruyff Foundation, attended the opening, which was a festive and enthusiastic celebration of the favela that saw local kids take part in a football match.

Santos, home to Santos FC – one of Brazil’s most storied clubs, where Pelé and other greats of the game plied their trade – was chosen as the setting for the latest Cruyff Court. The result of a collaboration between the Cruyff Foundation, the UEFA Foundation for Children and the Pelé Foundation, the new facility will cater to children and young people from local neighborhoods who are directly affected by the lack of socio-educational activities in the favela, which is the largest stilt community in Latin America.

Susila Cruyff spoke about how the Cruyff Court Pelé will benefit kids and youngsters for whom sport is not a guaranteed part of life: “My father always had a special connection with Pelé, and it’s either through luck or coincidence that we’re here opening the 300th Cruyff Court in their names. Both came from a similar background, they started playing on the streets, they were self-made footballers and still live on in people’s memories as legends. They can be a great inspiration for this area. We believe this court could be a life-changing experience for these kids and something positive for the community.”

Joe Fraga, Pele’s agent and a representative of the Pelé Foundation, said: “The opportunities the Cruyff Court Pelé will bring to this community, and more specifically the children of Santos, will continue to cement the amazing legacy of two of the greatest players in history. The bond between Johan and Edson [Pelé] is as strong as ever with this 300th court. The Pelé Foundation is honored to partner with the Cruyff Foundation on this very special and inspiring project.”

Urs Kluser, General Secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children, said: “The UEFA Foundation for Children is very proud to support the Johan Cruyff Foundation with the opening of its 300th pitch. Like the previous ones [this is the fifth supported by the UEFA Foundation], the pitch is a great support for the community and the children who will have a safe place to play. At the same time, this pitch is special, not only because it is the 300th court, but also because it will represent the names of two legends in Cruyff and Pelé.”

Both of these iconic players learned all about the game on the streets, which will serve as a huge inspiration to local children who use the facility in the future. Cruyff believed in the considerable power of sport and its influence on the development of children and young people. Indeed, those beliefs are at the heart of his foundation, an organisation that is committed to creating spaces for children from all over the world to develop physically, mentally, and socially, as it builds alliances with like-minded local partners.

A Cruyff Court is a social platform that uses sport and Johan Cruyff’s 14 rules to provide children and young people with integral development, inclusion, and citizenship training and an opportunity to broaden their prospects for a balanced socio-affective future, based on respectful relationships developed in a safe environment.

 

About this project

The Cruyff Foundation runs projects in more than 20 countries worldwide. The Cruyff Court Pelé marks the milestone 300th Cruyff Court in the world and the fourth in Brazil. In this particular project, 14 local coaches received training to become Cruyffian coaches during a two-day course held on 6/7 December that taught them all about Johan Cruyff’s philosophy, including the 14 rules that they can use to motivate the kids.

This project sees the Cruyff Foundation partner with the Instituto Plataforma Brasil (IPB), a non-profit civil society organisation that encourages young people to take on leading roles in transforming the communities where they live. “It is a dream come true to be able to give the community this space to enjoy, to play in, and to forget for a moment all the challenges of daily life. To offer the best possible facility to those who need it most provokes a movement of change that has the Cruyff Court as a starting point and expands from there on. That way, it is possible to contribute to the personal development of the kids of the community and a more just society. That is wonderful!” said Joëlke Offringa, IPB president.

The Johan Cruyff Foundation also linked up with the Instituto Arte no Dique, which is also a not-for-profit civil society institution that has been carrying out major sociocultural work with the population of Dique da Vila Gilda since 2002. Other local partners are COHAB Santista, the Vopak We Connect Foundation, and local companies Signify, AkzoNobel, and Parque Balneário Hotel Santos.

 

 

Football for Unity 2.0: European Commission, Common Goal and UEFA Foundation for Children team up to support migrants and refugees through UEFA EURO 2024

Football for Unity 2.0: European Commission, Common Goal and UEFA Foundation for Children team up to support migrants and refugees through UEFA EURO 2024

‘Football for Unity’, a leading social inclusion project funded by the European Commission, relaunched today to promote the empowerment of young migrants and refugees across Europe through the beautiful game.

The project will feature activities connected to the Europe-wide platform of next summer’s UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany, building on the success and expanding the actions of an initiative first implemented during EURO 2020.

UEFA President and Chairman of the UEFA Foundation for Children, Aleksander Čeferin, welcomed the launch:

“Integration and inclusion are vital for building a diverse and harmonious society where every individual’s unique contribution and perspective are acknowledged, valued, and celebrated - values that are precisely incorporated and emphasised in football. We are very proud to relaunch Football for Unity today and I want to thank the European Commission, Common Goal and the project partners involved including UEFA National Associations. I look forward to the project’s successful implementation, also during EURO 2024 where we have dedicated plans and concrete actions to promote inclusion and integration all over Europe.”

Football for Unity 2.0 has been co-developed at a strategic and technical level with the European Commission and will be implemented by the UEFA Foundation for Children, in partnership with Common Goal, and supported by UEFA. It will operate across multiple EU member states and is funded by the European Union’s Asylum and Migration Fund.

Margaritis Schinas, Vice President, European Commission underlined the importance the EU attaches to working with partners towards common European values:

“We value this strong cooperation with UEFA on innovative ways to promote social change and European values through European football. Projects like Football for Unity, which benefit from the unrivalled reach of UEFA’s iconic events, can contribute importantly to the EU’s objectives of breaking down the barriers young migrants and refugees face integrating into communities across Europe.”

Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, highlighted the added value of sport to support migrant integration and more positive perception and narrative:

“Sport helps bring people closer together. The shared passion for football can make locals and migrants realise that they have more things in common than what they initially thought. Sport can also very much help with migrants’ integration. Though this project, important work will take place with grassroots organisations to include migrants in our society. This is why we support the Football for Unity project and we look forward to the results in the 11 Member States taking part in it.”

Kicking off this December, the two-year project will help to transform the way sports clubs, grassroots organisations and national football associations work with young refugees and migrants. A consortium of 14 project partners in 11 EU Member States (Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Romania, Spain, Latvia, the Netherlands and Italy) will drive Football for Unity 2.0's mission to:

  1. Tackle racial discrimination in football across Europe by providing innovative training across sporting ecosystems.
  2. Improve the safety and well-being of young refugees and migrants by implementing sport-based integration sessions.
  3. Raise awareness of European cultural diversity and the positive contribution of successful integration to European societies.

Leveraging Common Goal’s unrivaled network of civil society organisations, Football for Unity 2.0 will involve 190 coaches, educators and youth/social workers all over Europe, who will engage with 2,900 young migrants, refugees and Europeans through integration initiatives and non-formal education programmes. This collaboration aims to foster social inclusion, equal opportunities and set quality standards for innovative practices.

As a project supporter, UEFA will collaborate with the UEFA Foundation for Children and European Commission to promote and share the project’s activities and learning outputs within European football and wider society.

Urs Kluser, General Secretary, UEFA Foundation for Children, said:

“The first Football for Unity project gave us a lot of insights which we will expand on and develop in this next period. It has been a real team effort with the partners to co-create programmes that will make the most impact at grassroots and community level for young refugees and migrants.”

Building on more than a decade of formal cooperation between UEFA and the EU, this delivers tangibly on the commitments UEFA and the European Commission made in their 2022 EC-UEFA Arrangement for Cooperation to use football’s influence and UEFA’s pan-European competitions to promote European values and positive social outcomes.

Access to the background information.

Integration and inclusion are vital for building a diverse and harmonious society where every individual’s unique contribution and perspective are acknowledged, valued, and celebrated - values that are precisely incorporated and emphasised in football. We are very proud to relaunch Football for Unity today and I want to thank the European Commission, Common Goal and the project partners involved including UEFA National Associations. I look forward to the project’s successful implementation, also during EURO 2024 where we have dedicated plans and concrete actions to promote inclusion and integration all over Europe”

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

Solidarity trip to Sri Lanka, September–October 2023

Solidarity trip to Sri Lanka, September–October 2023

The UEFA Foundation for Children and UEFA’s HR team organised the fourth solidarity trip, this time to Sri Lanka.

In September, the UEFA Foundation for Children and UEFA’s HR team organised a fourth solidarity trip, this time to Sri Lanka. Six members of UEFA staff took time out of their busy lives to take part in the project and help renovate a primary school in Karagoda Uyangoda, a remote village in the jungle of Matara district, in the south of the island.

The aim of these trips is to offer a different kind of travel experience that involves engaging with and helping local communities. The organisation Unis Vers le Sport identified the project and organised host families in the village.

 

Our brief was to renovate the local school. We painted the inside walls of four classrooms and some of the outside walls. We had also planned to distribute surplus sports equipment from UEFA competitions and school supplies purchased in Sri Lanka. We were hoping to spend time with the schoolchildren too, and do sports activities and handicrafts with them.

Unfortunately, the weather did not play ball. The rainy season was unusually long and the school was closed when we arrived. We remained hopeful, however, and set to work paining the first classrooms.

We stayed with families in the village, with whom we shared breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our hosts were very welcoming. We also experienced life in the rainforest, seeing peacocks, monkeys and monitor lizards and hearing all sorts of other wild animals, especially at night. It was an incredible change of scenery and would have been perfect if had not been for the incessant rain, which flooded the area and cut off the village.

In the end, we decided to leave earlier than planned, without having met the schoolchildren. Morale was low that day, with a sense that we were abandoning our hosts without finishing the job. Since the village was surrounded by water, the Sri Lankan navy came to pick us up. The villagers accompanied us to the boat. It was a heartbreaking departure.

We relocated to Mirissa, a small town on the Indian Ocean. From there, we followed the coast up as far as Galle, where we visited Buddhist temples and the fortified old town that bears witness to the country’s colonial past.

For Paulo, one of the founders of Unis Vers le Sport, this was a solidarity trip like no other.

Our small team was fantastic and stuck together despite the challenges we faced, which seemed extreme to us but were nothing out of the ordinary for the locals. In the end, it was a many very positive personal and human experience that will remain etched in our memories.

Another team will finish renovating the little primary school in Karagoda Uyangoda in February, and who knows, perhaps some of our group will also return to meet the children and distribute materials on behalf of the foundation.

 

 

64 projects receive grants from the UEFA Foundation for Children

64 projects receive grants from the UEFA Foundation for Children

A total of €4.5m will benefit children in need all over the world.>

he UEFA Foundation for Children board of trustees held its twice yearly meeting at UEFA headquarters last Wednesday. Chaired by Aleksander Čeferin, it decided to allocate funding to 64 projects, as part of the foundation’s mission to defend vulnerable children’s rights around the world so that they can look forward to a better future.

Most projects use sport, and in particular football, to address topics such as access to sports and recreation, physical and mental health, education, integration and many other societal issues.

In accordance with the board’s decision, half of the budget is allocated to European projects (28) and the other half to projects in the rest of the world (36).

Andrea Radrizzani, UEFA Foundation for Children board member said:

“The UEFA Foundation has selected 64 projects to support NGOs across 71 countries, all of them are aligned with our vision to empower children’s education, and gender equality and inspire new generations through the power of football.”

 

List of NGOs selected from the 2023 call for project.

 

Partner Countries
EUROPE
Save the Children Albania Albania
NGO Bridge of Hope Armenia
Kicken ohne Grenzen Austria
Children’s Football Alliance Belgium, Italy, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland
Royal Europa '90 Kraainem Football Club Belgium
OFK BIHAC Bosnia and Herzegovina
Association for Sport, Recreation and Education – Youth Games Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia
Children of Prisoners Europe Europe
Bibliothèques Sans Frontières France
Spirit of Football e.V. Germany
Orama Neon YOUTHORAMA NGO Greece
Oltalom Sport Association Hungary
Amigos for Children Foundation Hungary
The Icelandic Youth Association Iceland
A New Way Israel
Calciosociale ssdrl Italy
KFV Prishtina Kosovo
Vilnius social club Lithuania
NGO Parents Montenegro
Stichting Het Gehandicapte Kind Netherlands
Stowarzyszenie Trenuj Bycie Dobrym Poland
United Way Romania Romania
Development Center for Youth Serbia
Fundación Grandes Valores (Fútbal Más Foundation) Spain
Bonyan Organization Turkey and Syria
Big Hearts Community Trust United Kingdom
Klitschko Foundation Ukraine
Around Football Ukraine
REST OF THE WORLD
AFRICA
Malaika Democratic Republic of Congo
Terre des Hommes, Egypt Egypt
Power for the People Kenya
Mathare Youth Sports Association Kenya
Association TIBU Maroc Morocco
Cross Cultures Project Association Nigeria
AKA (Association Kenskoazell Afrika) Senegal
Samusocial International Senegal
AMANDLA Ku Lutsha T/A AMANDLA Social Enterprises South Africa
Karibu Tanzania Organization Tanzania
Fondation Khuon Zimbabwe
OCEANIA
All In: Girls Play Pacific Islands
ASIA
Action for Development Afghanistan
Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan Afghanistan
SALT Academy Cambodia
Plan International Hong Kong China
Krida Vikas Sanstha (SlumSoccer) India
ASA Foundation Indonesia
Association Football Development Programme Global Jordan
Tawazon Initiative for Development Lebanon
University of Milano-Bicocca – MaRHE Center Maldives
Atoot Nepal
Palestine: Sports for Life Palestine
FundLife International Philippines
Help Without Frontiers Thailand
The Football Association of Norway/Football for All in Vietnam (NFF/FFAV) Vietnam
Medair Yemen
CENTRAL AMERICA
GOLEES Foundation Costa Rica
Johan Cruyff Foundation Curaçao
Asociación de Maestros de Educación Temprana Plantando Semillas Guatemala
Educate Honduras
SOUTH AMERICA
Asociacion Civil Andar Argentina
love.fútbol Brasil Brazil
WAPA International Colombia
Scort Foundation Ecuador
NGO Mama Alice Peru

 

The next board meeting will be held in Athens on Wednesday 29 May.

The next call for project is scheduled for June/July 2024.

The UEFA Foundation has selected 64 projects to support NGOs across 71 countries, all of them are aligned with our vision to empower children’s education, gender equality and inspire new generations through the power of football.”

- Andrea Radrizzani, UEFA Foundation for children board member

Board of Trustees starts a new four-year term.

Board of Trustees starts a new four-year term

Long-serving member Peter Gilliéron is succeeded by Dominique Blanc<

The UEFA Foundation for Children has officially confirmed its new Board of Trustees for the upcoming cycle, marking the institution's commitment to its mission, which grows in importance by the day. The new board was elected for a four-year term at today's assembly.

“In these challenging times, the need to support and uplift our children is more pressing than ever. And football is a great platform to do that. United around our beautiful game, we navigate these uncertainties, determined to craft a brighter, more hopeful future for every child in need,” said Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president and board chairman.

2023–27 Board of Trustees

Aleksander Čeferin – chairman

Andrea Radrizzani

Clarence Seedorf

Dominique Blanc

Fiona May

Kairat Boranbayev

Kevin Lamour

Margarita Louis-Dreyfus

Nathalie Iannetta

Norman Darmanin Demajo

Snežana Samardžić-Marković

Wladimir Klitschko

The board’s primary role is in shaping overarching strategies and endorsing projects worldwide that align with the foundation's objectives, with a commitment to prioritising the rights and well-being of children through the power of football.

The assembly also acknowledged the departure of Peter Gilliéron, one of the foundation's founding members. On behalf of the board, the chairman expressed his appreciation for Gilliéron's invaluable advice and enduring commitment to the foundation over the years.

Dominique Blanc, the president of the Swiss Football Association, emerged as the unanimous choice to fill the vacant seat. His extensive experience in football, spanning roles as a player, referee, and official in grassroots football, brings invaluable experience to the new position.

“I look forward with great pleasure and conviction to contributing to the foundation’s work and learning from your experience,” said Blanc after the election.

As the foundation continues its mission to uplift the lives of underprivileged children, its board members' collective expertise and passion promise a positive and impactful journey ahead.

In these challenging times, the need to support and uplift our children is more pressing than ever. And football is a great platform to do that. United around our beautiful game, we navigate these uncertainties, determined to craft a brighter, more hopeful future for every child in need."

- Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president and board chairman.

Diogo Costa’s UCL record converted into solidarity action

Diogo Costa’s UEFA Champions League record converted into solidarity action

The UEFA Foundation for Children supports goalkeeper's initiative by sending football kits and 120 balls to organisations close to the player’s heart.

Last season, Diogo Costa set the record for the highest number of penalties saved in a row in a single group phase of the UEFA Champions League. He pledged to convert the three consecutive saved penalties into three solidarity initiatives supported by FC Porto and the UEFA Foundation for Children.

The Dragons’ goalkeeper donated football kits to AMCH Ringe, the first club he played for, and FC Porto’s youth disabled football team. He is also supporting APORMast, the Portuguese Association of Patients with Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Diseases.

Children from Ringe and FC Porto were invited to the Estádio do Dragão for a dedicated workshop organised by Diogo, who taught them how to kick and how to stop penalties. It was a privileged and inspiring moment for the kids: for many of them meeting Diogo Costa was a dream come true and it will reinforce their motivation and commitment to progress in football.

“I have great memories of playing for Ringe,” Diogo Costa recalls. “It’s motivating for me to represent Ringe as a former graduate while doing my best for FC Porto. I hope my story will inspire them in some way.”

Diogo Costa’s third initiative is designed to draw attention to the Portuguese Association of Mastocytoses and Mastocytoses (APORTMast). He became aware of this non-profit association through his former physical education teacher, Sónia Carvalho, who was very dear to him. She was recently diagnosed with mast cell disease and discovered that it is a rare disease that is very difficult to identify. In addition, medicines that greatly improve the quality of life of sufferers are not reimbursed.

Link to UEFA TV Show, featuring the three solidarity actions.

FC Porto launched an auction on Friday to support this cause, and the items up for grabs are a jersey signed by Diogo, two tickets for the FC Porto–FC Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League match scheduled to take place at 20:00 on 13 December at the Estádio do Dragao, and a chance to meet Diogo Costa after the match.

The sale ends at noon on Thursday 7 December, and all profits will go to APORMast.

Link to the auction.

         

I have great memories of playing for Ringe. It’s motivating for me to represent Ringe as a former graduate while doing my best for FC Porto. I hope my story will inspire them in some way.

- Diogo Costa, FC Porto Goalkeeper

New sustainable Lay’s RePlay pitch opens in Italy.

New sustainable Lay's RePlay pitch opens in Italy.

In Naples, the UEFA Foundation, Common Goal, and Lay's unite to promote sport, inclusion and sustainability.

From Packs to Pitches: the UEFA Foundation for Children, Common Goal and Lay's proudly unveiled a new sustainable football pitch today in the heart of Naples, open to the local community and local sports associations.

The inauguration of the new sustainable pitch, made using recycled bags of crisp packets, was the perfect occasion to celebrate sport, inclusion and sustainability, and supports the recent development of the city's Scampia neighbourhood.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by a number of special guests to mark the occasion including Naples mayor Gaetano Manfredi and former Italian international and UEFA Champions League winner Ciro Ferrara, with a performance by singer-songwriter Dadà.

The Scampia district was chosen for this initiative to support its recent redevelopment launched as a series of initiatives promoted by Municipality 8 and local associations to address issues such as unemployment, poverty and inequalities.

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

“The Lay's RePlay programme is not just about creating football facilities - it's about empowering communities, promoting inclusivity and championing environmental sustainability. This initiative represents a powerful example of how sport can be a catalyst for positive change on a global scale, and we're proud to be part of this journey."

 

The Lay's RePlay programme has successfully led to the creation of football facilities in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, Egypt, the United States and Italy. In the latter, the first pitch was inaugurated in the Cecchi Point district of Turin in May 2022. Since its launch, the Turin pitch has been used over 20,000 times, provided 1,225 hours of sport activities and life skills training and 213 hours of events and special activities for the community.

Providing everyone with access to the joy of sport is a long-standing goal of Lay's RePlay - this project embodies the transformation, moving from reusing empty packs of chip packages to creating football fields donated to local communities. The goal is to combine the passion for sport, social inclusion and environmental protection to promote a positive impact on a global scale.

- Marcello Pincelli, PepsiCo Italia General Manager

Álex Remiro shares his experience on World Mental Health Day

Álex Remiro shares his experience on World Mental Health Day

The Real Sociedad goalkeeper celebrates the start of the new Champions League season by putting his football know-how and leadership to use for social change.

Ahead of World Mental Health Day, we met with Álex Remiro, a new Friend of the UEFA Foundation for Children, to talk about the importance of psychological well-being at a time when more and more people, particularly children, suffer from mental health problems.

How can sport, and football, help to overcome psychological or mental illness?

I think all sports can and it's even more true with football because it's followed by a lot of people. It helps you maintain good physical health of course, but it also provides much more.

Football allows you to get to know people, it allows you to solve problems together, it allows you to learn how to be a good person in the dressing room. When you wear your club jersey, you represent a city and its values. This gives you a responsibility but also a lot of pride.

How do you prepare mentally before a game?

I try to give my best every week, Monday to Friday. Be really motivated. If everything goes well, I know I will be ready for the match without any thoughts or problems on my mind.

After each match, I relax and prepare to face the next team, learning about their strengths, their way of playing, and the players who might or might not be there. It's about knowing and being realistic about the pressure of the match.

I've been working on my mental health for nine years with my sports psychologist.

In the beginning, I didn't feel confident, I didn't want to go to training, and I didn't feel good in my club. Then my psychologist told me: “Look at it differently: it's not about problems with the club, it's not about problems with the manager, it's not about problems with your family. You should focus on what you really want. If you want to train and play, just focus on training and then you'll play.”

Do you have any advice for young people who might be under pressure or harassed or who might feel like they are in a critical situation?

One piece of advice I always repeat is to be realistic and know your expectations. It's different if you play for fun than if you play professionally. Sometimes we put more pressure on ourselves than necessary. Football is a sport and sport is about having fun. Some children and families forget this.

So, the advice I would give would be to focus on training, be the best friend you can be and respect your club and your coaches. When matchday comes, the important thing is the team; the result of the match does not define your life.

 

Alex’s commitment to grassroots football

In March 2023, the Navarrese goalkeeper launched his own project in cooperation with the foundation’s partner Fútbol Más. It aims to give children who play football and their families the knowledge and tools needed to ensure their emotional well-being, resilience and mental health.

This project involves 50 out of the 96 football clubs in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, reaching 2,500 boys and girls and 1,250 families. The objective is to bring the rest of the clubs on board in the coming year.

“This theme is particularly close to my heart because I was very affected by insults and people who lack respect for referees, managers or players. I felt like it was a real problem. Children are not equipped to face these situations. This is what made me commit to this programme. Through a team of sports psychologists, we provide tools to help them better manage these situations. It's about protecting our children and grassroots football.”

 

Football is about more than scoring goals

“I always liked helping children,” Remiro says. “Kids follow their idols; they listen to their words. I had the opportunity to meet big players when I was young, and that inspired me to follow my path. It’s very important for me to help kids have a better attitude on the pitch, at home or at school. Kids are like sponges: they take on everything, good and bad, so we must make sure we give them good things.”

“UEFA’s values are the same as those that I defend in my project. In sports as in life, you don't win at any cost. There are values and rules to follow, such as respect and fair play. In my project, all these values are part of the training that we offer.”

We welcome Alex's excellent initiative on mental health and look forward to collaborating on more projects in the future.

I always liked helping children. Kids follow their idols; they listen to their words. I had the opportunity to meet big players when I was young, and that inspired me to follow my path. It’s very important for me to help kids have a better attitude on the pitch, at home or at school. Kids are like sponges: they take on everything, good and bad, so we must make sure we give them good things.”

- Álex Remiro, Friend of UEFA Foundation for Children

“I love you, Haaland!” – UEFA Foundation brings joy to Super Cup

“I love you, Haaland!” – UEFA Foundation brings joy to Super Cup

In a heartwarming display of humanity, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland, Ivan Rakitic and their team-mates met kids invited by the UEFA Foundation for children ahead of Wednesday’s Super Cup.

It was more than just football that took centre stage at the UEFA Super Cup in Piraeus, Greece this week. The UEFA Foundation welcomed local children from Greek associations A Ball for All, ActionAid Hellas and Cosmos to the game, where they had the incredible experience of meeting Manchester City and Sevilla players the day before the match.

The three associations support children and refugees in need by providing them with opportunities to play football and to develop a strong community around the beautiful game. On Tuesday, the kids couldn’t contain their excitement as they had the chance to attend the training sessions and meet star players from the two teams.

“Why do you think people should play football?” posed a young voice. “Because I believe we can make a lot of people really happy with football” answered Sevilla star player Ivan Rakitic.

Loukia, ten years old, a visually impaired girl from Ball For All association, held the honour of chatting with Rakitic, ambassador of the UEFA Foundation, while others had the chance to have their shirt signed, exchange words with the players and even take pictures with their heroes.

The next day, beyond the confines of the stadium at the fan festival in Piraeus, generations intertwined as the kids had a lot of fun testing their football skills and playing with the Greek legends who won the UEFA EURO back in 2004 such as Angelos Charisteas , Giorgos Karagounis, Angelos Basinas, and Dimitrios Papadopoulos, founder of ActionAid Hellas

The whole group then headed to the stadium to attend the game, some of the older children acting as centre-circle flag carriers at the opening ceremony. At the end of the match, which saw Manchester City emerge triumphant following a penalty shootout, young Loukia stood alongside UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin to hand out the medals, where she shook players' hands and even got a hug from Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola.

The best moment ever was when I accompanied the president of UEFA to the award ceremony. Such an exceptional honour! I was full of joy and happiness!! Vision is not always necessary. I understood people cheering, players passing by, the touch of a hand, a kind voice bending towards me, a kiss on the cheek, a gold metal around my neck. Thank you, UEFA Foundation for Children, thank you A Ball for all. You made me feel an equal part of a big family and of a spectacular event.

Loukia, 10 years old, from A Ball for All

 

Football for cultural inclusion at UEFA Super Cup

Football for cultural inclusion at UEFA Super Cup

The UEFA Foundation for Children will emphasise integration through football to make our world a more tolerant and welcoming place.

The UEFA Foundation for Children will once again use this year’s UEFA Super Cup match to raise awareness of important social issues, prioritising in particular the right of the child. Since it was established in 2015, the UEFA Foundation for Children has become a key presence at the UEFA Super Cup, demonstrating that football, and sport in general, has a positive impact on children and can change the outlook of even the most vulnerable.

While the UEFA Champions League title holder Manchester City FC and the UEFA Europa League winner Sevilla FC will fight for one more trophy at this year’s UEFA Super Cup in Piraeus, Greece, the UEFA Foundation will carry a message of cultural inclusion and social integration.

In close collaboration with partner organisations such as Action Aid Hellas, FC Cosmos and A Ball for All, children that have been affected by societal exclusion in one way or another - from victims of global conflict to those battling physical impairments - will take part in unforgettable experiences around this year’s match.

Activities around the UEFA Super Cup in Piraeus will include:

1.  On Tuesday 15 August, a selection of children will visit the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium to watch Sevilla and Manchester City’s official training sessions. They will have the opportunity to meet with players, participate in a kickabout session and take photographs with both teams.

2. At the fan festival on the Town Hall square in Piraeus, on Wednesday 16 August, children will play in a football match alongside legends from Greece’s historic 2004 EURO-winning team. They will also take part in challenges and will have the opportunity to have their photos taken with the former Greek football legends and the UEFA Super Cup trophy.

3. As part of the UEFA Super Cup’s opening ceremony, Mastercard will offer 16 player mascots positions to young children from Action Aid Hellas, FC Cosmos and A Ball for All who will proudly enter the pitch accompanied by the star player of the match. Older children will also play a key role in the opening ceremony, acting as central circle carriers.

These activities seek to act as a reminder of football's profound capacity to instil values such as commitment, discipline, mutual aid, respect, and tolerance. It serves as a powerful testament to the fact that football has the extraordinary ability to foster profound connections among individuals, transcending geographical and cultural barriers.

Sevilla FC midfielder Ivan Rakitić, who is playing in his third UEFA Super Cup final this year, serves as a proud ambassador for the Foundation and echoes this sentiment. Having played alongside teammates from every corner of the globe during his illustrious career, Rakitić offers a poignant reflection:

There’s no room for discrimination in football or any other sport. We’re all against it, players and clubs support each other, and we’re trying to move towards a safe environment for everyone.

 

 

PLAY TOGETHER – PORUCH

Location and general information

Closed
Location 15 regions of Ukraine
Start date 01/01/2023
End date 12/31/2023
Cost of the project €267,628
Foundation funding €125,000
Project identifier 20220528
Partners The Charity Found "Around Football”
Categories Access to Sport - Children with disabilities - Conflict victims - Healthy lifestyle - Personal development

Context

Children, affected by war, experienced fear, are withdrawn, and psychologically stressed. And sport is one of the tools that can provide psychosocial support to such children.

Project goals

  • Create a network of professional volunteers (managers, coaches, medical and psychological volunteers) in 15 regions of Ukraine.
  • Conduct training for the teams of specialists: briefings by instructors, child protection courses.
  • Conduct psychosocial sessions for children and youth.

Project content

The main purpose of the project is provision of targeted psychosocial support to children and teenagers, affected by war. This support will be provided through sport activities. A network of trained teams of specialists (managers, sport coaches, medical volunteers, psychologists) will work with children, involve them in sport activities. Such form of work with children will help the direct beneficiaries to overcome fear and to return to normal life.

Partners

Football for Future

Location and general information

Ongoing
Location Urban areas of Ukraine: Kyiv, Irpin, Bucha, Svitlovodsk, Myrhorod, Rivne, Brovary, Kremenchuk
Start date 03/01/2022
End date 04/30/2024
Cost of the project €59,875
Foundation funding €53,460
Project identifier 20220924
Partners Shakhtar Social charity organisation
Categories Access to Sport - Conflict victims - Personal development

Context

According to the Ukraine Internal Displacement Report produced by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), there were 5,088,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine in May 2023. The report also indicates that:

  • 47% of IDPs are aged 5-17 years old;
  • 17% of IDP households lack access to education for their children.

Project goals

Football for Future is a social football project designed to promote inclusion and social cohesion, providing equal chances for 640 internally displaced children and socially disadvantaged kids to play football and get involved in extracurricular activities, providing relief from their circumstances.

Project content

The 640 children will be able to participate in free football sessions and local tournaments in eight cities around the country.

  • Free football sessions are run year-round and include physical exercises, fun games, educational personal training and football, three times a week for each participant.
  • Local tournaments are organised twice a year to unite all participants, enhancing their experience, enjoyment and connection within the local community.

Partners

TACKLE Racism in Grassroots Football: UEFA Foundation leads the way

TACKLE Racism in Grassroots Football: UEFA Foundation leads the way 

"TACKLE Racism in Grassroots Football," with the objective of combating racism, discrimination, and intolerance within the sport.

Embracing a three-year journey supported by the EU Erasmus+ programme, the UEFA Foundation for Children warmly welcomed the TACKLE conference at UEFA in Nyon. The event aimed to champion inclusivity and tackle racism in non-professional football. By specifically focusing on coaches and managers in grassroots football clubs, the project raises awareness, fosters competence, and develops strategies to eradicate racism from the beautiful game. With a comprehensive approach at its core, this inspiring initiative aspires to create a lasting impact on players, grassroots football, and the wider sporting community. 

Promoting inclusion in football is to be placed at the top of the priority list of big organisations. This is the start of the fundamental change; it means acknowledging where we are today and what we want to achieve. Actions and implementations will be much easier. 

-Clarence Seedorf, board member of UEFA Foundation for Children 

It was important for the Foundation to be part of this project in collaboration with the European Commission. We all know about discrimination and the existence of abuses in football. It is great to be able to rely on scientifical research to come up with responses in promoting inclusion in our beautiful sport. 

-Urs Kluser, general secretary of UEFA Foundation for Children 

The project uses a comprehensive multidimensional approach based on five axes:

1. Enhancing awareness and competences

One of the core objectives of the TACKLE initiative is to empower football coaches and managers operating in grassroots football to proactively manage and prevent racism, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance. By providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills, the project aims to equip these individuals with the tools to effectively address and eradicate racist behaviours within their clubs. Through workshops, seminars, and interactive training sessions, participants can enhance their awareness and competencies in dealing with these critical issues.

2. Prevention and mitigation of racism incidents

The TACKLE project also recognises the importance of prevention and a proactive approach when it comes to anti-racism measures. To achieve this, extensive research was conducted to examine and analyse the current realities, challenges, and gaps related to the presence of racist behaviours and incidents. The findings were used to identify effective approaches and policies that could be implemented to address the issue at its core. By adopting a proactive stance, the project aims to create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants, promoting equal opportunities and fostering respect and understanding among diverse communities.

3. The TACKLE Toolkit

The TACKLE toolkit consists of best practices to tackle racism specifically within the context of youth and amateur football. It serves as a guide for coaches, managers, and stakeholders, offering practical strategies and actionable steps to address and prevent racist incidents effectively. By promoting the widespread adoption of these best practices, the TACKLE project aims to create a collective effort to combat racism, fostering a more inclusive and harmonious grassroots football community.

4. E-Learning Platform and Curriculum

Providing information and resources to tackle racism and abuse is key. Therefore, an e-learning platform is available to all and provides instant access to the project's full suite of materials and digital learning resources. Coaches, managers, and interested individuals can access the curriculum, which is specially designed to cater to the needs of grassroots football. Through interactive modules, quizzes, and multimedia content, learners can deepen their understanding of racism in football and acquire practical skills to tackle the issue effectively. The e-learning platform serves as a centralised space for information, promoting continuous learning and knowledge sharing among stakeholders.

5. Partnerships and cooperation

The TACKLE project's impact extends beyond national borders through the organisation of multiple events in participating countries. These events bring together key stakeholders, including coaches, managers, football associations, and community leaders, to raise awareness about the severe impact of racism on players, grassroots football, and sports in general. By fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, the TACKLE initiative aims to create a network of like-minded individuals and organisations dedicated to eradicating racism from football.

Led by the Centre for the Advancement of Research and Development in Educational Technology (CARDET), the project consortium includes NGO KMOP, the Irish Spectrum Research Centre, the FARE network, the University of Pitesti in Romania, the Institute of Development in Cyprus, and the UEFA Foundation for Children. This collaboration ensures a multidisciplinary and holistic approach in addressing racism, discrimination, and intolerance in grassroots football.

Nyon, Switzerland - June 23rd: Tackle Conference - Tackling Racism and Discrimination in Football, at the UEFA Headquarters, The House of the European Football, on June 23rd 2023. (Photo by Kristian Skeie - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission (Erasmus+ Project Number: 622561-EPP-1-2020-1-CY-SPO-SCP).

Winners of the 2023 UEFA Foundation for Children award announced.

Winners of the 2023 UEFA Foundation for Children award announced.

The €1m award has been shared equally among 23 organisations recognised for their outstanding efforts to support vulnerable children.

Each year, the UEFA Foundation honours charitable organisations for their outstanding contributions to supporting vulnerable and marginalised children while adhering to the foundation's charter and code of ethics. This year, the €1m of the foundation prestigious award was shared between 23 organisations that excelled in this respect. A total of 101 organisations have benefited from this additional funding since the awards were introduced in 2017.

"On behalf of UEFA, I would like to express my sincere admiration for our award winners, for their tireless efforts and dedication, which have significantly impacted children's lives. Through their selfless work, they have become a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless children, empowering them to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential," said Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president and chair of the foundation’s board of trustees.

"The impact of their work extends far beyond the immediate beneficiaries, as it has a ripple effect on families, communities, and society as a whole, laying the foundation for a brighter and more inclusive future."

The recipients of the 2023 UEFA Foundation for Children award are listed below:

 
Charity recommended by Award winner
Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) Fund For Armenian Relief (FAR)
Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) FFBÖ Liga Cup
Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) Football Development Foundation
Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) Juna Foot
Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Federation (BHFF) Fudbalski klub RESPEKT (Football Club Respekt), Sarajevo
Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) Social Management Bulgara
Croatian Football Federation (HNS) Zaklada Vatreno Srce (Fiery Heart Foundation)
Cyprus Football Association (CFA) Hope For Children
Football Association of the Czech Republic (FAČR) Special Olympics Czech Republic
Danish Football Association (DBU) UNICEF
English Football Association (The FA) The Wheelchair Football Association (The WFA)
Football Association of Finland (SPL) Me-säätiö (We Foundation) – FC Meltsi
German Football Association (DFB) Spirit of Football e.V. "Ein Ball, eine Welt
Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) Silver Boot Football Academy for Hearing-impaired Young People Foundation
Italian Football Federation (FIGC) Calciosociale (Social Football)
Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) Futbolo klubas Ataka
Football Association of Moldova (FMF) AO Sunshine
Irish Football Association (IFA) Irish FA Foundation
Polish Football Association (PZPN Amp Futbol Polska
Romanian Football Federation (FRF) Asociaţia Casa Bună (Good House Association)
Scottish Football Association (SFA) Scottish Para-Football
Swiss Football Association (SFA) PluSport
Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) UAF’s projects for people with disabilities

 

 

Call for projects 2023

The UEFA Foundation for Children is pleased to announce that the 2023 call for projects will open on 1 July.

Applicants are invited to submit their projects through the dedicated platform accessible on the foundation's official website.

Each project must be consistent with the foundation's core principle of supporting children and upholding their rights and opportunities in various areas, including access to sports, health, education, personal development, integration of minorities, employability, and infrastructure and equipment.

It should be noted that the foundation's support extends beyond projects based in Europe.

The board will carefully review all projects submitted and will select the projects to support during its next meeting, scheduled for November.

Meet and greet with Bijzondere Eredivisie

Prior to their meeting, the board members had the opportunity to meet with participants of the Netherlands’ Bijzondere Eredivisie (Special Premier League) and their parents. This initiative sees children with disabilities taking part in training and competitions within professional clubs, making their dream of playing for their favourite club a reality. The board felt honoured to hear about the children’s experiences, and these exchanges provided profound insights into the significance of the support that the foundation and its partners offer and its direct impact on the lives of these children and their families.

On behalf of UEFA, I would like to express my sincere admiration for our award winners, for their tireless efforts and dedication, which have made a significant impact in the lives of children. Through their selfless work, they have become a beacon of hope and inspiration for countless children, empowering them to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.

The impact of their work extends far beyond the immediate beneficiaries, as it has a ripple effect on families, communities, and society as a whole, laying the foundation for a brighter and more inclusive future."

- Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president and chair of the foundation’s board of trustees