10 year anniversary interview from Carine N’koué, General Secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children

10 Year Anniversary interview from Carine N'koué, general secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children

Carine N'koué, the new general secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children, shares her humanitarian experience, her work and her vision for the future.

Carine N'koué has dedicated over a decade to visiting and supporting various humanitarian projects, gaining invaluable insights into the diverse challenges faced by vulnerable children and communities all over the world. Her hands-on experience with the UEFA Foundation for Children and unwavering commitment to humanitarian work led to her appointment as general secretary last June. In this interview, Carine reflects on her journey, the impact of the foundation's initiatives and her aspirations for fostering positive change through the power of football.

Carine, congratulations on your new role! How did you first come across the foundation, and what has been your experience with its projects?

I witnessed the creation of the foundation from the inside. My involvement began in Jordan in 2013, working with UEFA and the Asian Football Development Programme during the Syrian refugee crisis. When the UEFA Foundation for Children was established in 2015, I continued my work under its umbrella. I spent over four years in Jordan, implementing projects in refugee camps like Za'atari and Azraq, focusing on integrating refugee children and fostering social cohesion while using football, and sports in general, as a fantastic tool to do good.

How has your first-hand experience with the Foundation's work, especially in refugee camps, shaped your perspective and the Foundation's mission?

Being in the camps and interacting daily with the children in need and their families profoundly impacted who I am and how I see things. Working on the ground has given me invaluable insights into the different realities and challenges people face, making my work at the UEFA Foundation more efficient.

"Working on the ground has given me invaluable insights into the different realities and challenges people face." Carine N'koué, general secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children

Working on the ground has given me invaluable insights into the different realities and challenges people face.

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

These experiences reminded me that our beneficiaries are not just numbers; they are individuals with dreams and struggles. I strongly believe it is crucial to regularly visit our projects and speak to people on the ground to help us better understand and respond to children's needs, ensuring we stay connected to their realities and tailor our support in the best way possible.

How does it feel to lead the UEFA Foundation, especially as we prepared to celebrate its tenth anniversary?

It's an exciting and significant responsibility, especially after ten years of impactful work. We aim to continue developing our activities while strengthening the foundation's legitimacy. We want to engage our members, federations, clubs, players and sponsors even more in social responsibility projects to create a bigger impact for communities and children worldwide. There is still a lot of work to do, but I am confident and hopeful for the future. Again, football has a great role to play in this. It is the universal game that connects everyone globally and it can have a tremendous impact on everyone's life, especially children!

What challenges do you foresee for the foundation in the coming years and how do you see its role evolving?

The foundation will continue to act as a catalyst, bringing partners together for the common goal of helping vulnerable kids across the globe through the uniting power of football and sports.

"Our role is to give a voice to the most vulnerable children and leverage our strategic position to unite different sectors for greater impact." Carine N'koué, general secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children

Our role is to give a voice to the most vulnerable children and leverage our strategic position to unite different sectors for greater impact.

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

We must remain focused on the needs of our beneficiaries and keep them at the centre of everything we do. Our role is to give a voice to the most vulnerable children and leverage our strategic position to unite different sectors for greater impact.

How can football and other sports contribute to the development and well-being of vulnerable children globally?

Sports, especially football, have the power to bring communities together, promote health and teach valuable life skills. Our projects use football to promote personal development and encourage healthy lifestyles, but also gender equality, inclusion of children with disabilities or social integration.

This year, we allocated €5m to 72 impactful projects across 80 countries. We also leverage UEFA competitions to give kids the opportunity to attend games, meet players or raise awareness of charities' work.

For example, at EURO 2024 last summer, we donated 10,000 tickets to disadvantaged children and teenagers in all ten host cities as part of the 10,000 Smiles project.

What are some of the foundation's key achievements over the past ten years?

It's hard to choose, but one key achievement is the positive impact on children in refugee camps in Jordan, such as the Za'atari camp, where organised sports activities have provided a safe environment and helped children heal from trauma. The project began with a few children, including only three girls due to cultural reasons, playing on the desert sand. Today it benefits around 2,800 boys and 1,800 girls. The project has been incredibly successful, achieving exactly the kind of impact we aim for when we support charities.

After ten years, the project continues to thrive. With the evolving situation in Syria, we are committed to supporting refugees who choose to return to their country.

Another great example is the Mpira Fursa project in Tanzania aimed at empowering girls by providing access to education. In many regions, education for girls is not prioritised.

Our partner offers football and educational opportunities to girls while working with the community and parents to highlight the importance of girls' education. Initially, the percentage of girls attending school was very low, with high dropout rates. After three years, the project achieved equal school attendance rates for boys and girls, and the dropout rate among girls was even lower than for boys. This demonstrates the significant impact of combining education with engaging activities like football.

Last but not least, a key achievement is the recognition the foundation has received in the sport-for-good sector from international organisations such as UNHCR, IOM, and ITC, as well as NGOs and other institutions like the European Commission. For example, we were awarded Foundation of the Year at the Peace and Sport Awards, which honour organisations promoting sustainable peace through sport. We are proud to have successfully engaged sponsors in our initiatives, creating a movement to provide unique opportunities for children, whether it is by acting as player mascots during matches or supporting projects that positively impact their daily lives and futures.

Carine N'Koué speaks at the 2024 UEFA CongressUEFA — Carine N'Koué speaks at the 2024 UEFA Congress
UEFA

Are there any particular moments from your journey with the foundation that stand out to you?

Meeting people is at the heart of our work. We encounter people from diverse cultures, sharing their joys and challenges. For instance, during a visit to one of our projects in Lesbos, Greece, amidst an overcrowded reception centre where UNHCR was working hard to respond to the basic needs of a huge number of refugees, a young boy offered me half of his meal when he saw I had none. It was a touching moment of generosity despite having so little.

I remember some of the emotional meet-and-greets we organised with players. Last year at the UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw, a 15-year-old with disabilities was moved to tears after meeting his idol Kylian Mbappé.

I also recall a discussion with a UEFA sponsor manager about funding allocation. It can be challenging to explain the need to follow community-driven solutions rather than imposing external ideas. However, the sponsor's openness and willingness to listen and support community solutions were truly inspiring.

Meeting community members who dedicate themselves to improving their communities and fighting for their rights is incredibly motivating. These individuals are the true leaders, and we strive to support them in every way we can.

How important is the support of partners to the foundation's work?

The support of UEFA, football federations, partners, and ambassadors is vital to the foundation's work. All partners are drivers of our actions, making it a collective effort. Their commitment and engagement are crucial in helping us achieve our goals. The UEFA president, federations, clubs, players, and ambassadors like Eugénie Le Sommer and Ivan Rakitić play significant roles in raising awareness and supporting our projects. Their profile and wider reach amplify our impact.

"The support of UEFA, football federations, partners, and ambassadors is vital to the foundation's work." Carine N'koué, general secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children

Whether through charity matches, meet-and-greets, or participating in ceremonies, they help make children's dreams come true and act as role models, while shining a light on our work.

The support of UEFA, football federations, partners, and ambassadors is vital to the foundation's work

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

Kaizen Foundation and UEFA Foundation for Children send strong message on inclusion through continued partnership

The Kaizen Foundation participates in UEFA Foundation for Children's 10th Anniversary celebration, supporting amputee football and raising awareness about inclusion through sport. The partnership will expand into the summer through the "Legacy for the Future" project.

Athens, Nyon, April 25th, 2025 – Kaizen Foundation, the Social Purpose Foundation funded exclusively by Kaizen Gaming, is announcing its participation in the 10th Anniversary celebrations of the UEFA Foundation for Children. During the celebrations, the Kaizen Foundation will be sponsoring a showcase match of two amputee teams with players from Greece, England and Poland at the Colovray Stadium in Nyon on April 28^th at 15:30-16:45 CEST. This will be followed by a dedicated cup ceremony.

The focus of the celebrations - held in collaboration with the UEFA Foundation’s partners Football Is More and the European Amputee Football Federation - is inclusion in sports. The amputee football match offers a unique opportunity to witness the incredible spirit and talent of amputee athletes as they compete for the trophy. Highlighting the importance of inclusion in football, the game is guaranteed to captivate the audience and showcase football's unifying power.

In addition, the Kaizen Foundation will be supporting a Conference on Inclusion to discuss football’s role in social responsibility and inclusion. Happening at the Chateau de Bossey, scheduled to take place earlier on the same day at 11.00 - 12.30 CEST, the conference will feature high-profile guests, including Prof. Dr. Jürgen Buschmann from the German Sports University of Cologne.

Kaizen Foundation and UEFA Foundation for Children expand their partnership into the “Legacy for the Future” project

Excitingly, the Kaizen Foundation is also announcing the expansion of its successful partnership with the UEFA Foundation for Children by supporting the “Legacy for the Future” project, aiming to leave a lasting legacy which fosters the empowerment of girls and women in countries from the UEFA participating national associations.

Within the framework of this partnership, Kaizen Foundation shall support initiatives undertaken by Τhe UEFA Foundation for Children across Portugal, Belgium, Germany and Denmark. The initiatives aim to empower girls and women to dismantle barriers in football and beyond, namely in education, legal rights and access to sport. Said initiatives will be associated with the respective women’s national teams, in order to enhance visibility and promote collective social responsibility.

This builds on the Kaizen Foundation’s inaugural partnership with the UEFA Foundation for Children to support the "10,000 Smiles" project, which provided 10,000 UEFA EURO 2024™ match tickets to associations working with vulnerable children. As part of the expansion of this partnership, Kaizen Foundation shall donate €300,000 to further aid the UEFA Foundation for Children’s aims and ambitions.

“It’s a great honour to be part of the UEFA Foundation for Children’s 10th Anniversary celebrations,” said Panos Konstantopoulos, President of the Kaizen Foundation. “By championing inclusion through the amputee match, we hope to inspire clubs and communities across Europe and the globe to take meaningful steps toward breaking down barriers. The UEFA Foundation for Children does extraordinary work, and we are thrilled to expand our partnership into the Legacy for the Future project, supporting local charities with the mission to dismantle barriers for girls in and out of sports. Our joint initiatives are a powerful reminder that nothing should stand in the way of what people can achieve, regardless of who they are or where they come from.”

“Football has an extraordinary power to bring everybody together. Partnering with organisations like the Kaizen Foundation is key to building a movement that drives real impact and leaves a lasting legacy,” said Carine N'koué, General Secretary of UEFA Foundation for Children. “Not only are we celebrating our 10th Anniversary together, but by deepening our collaboration with the Legacy for the Future project, we can continue to build on our mission to use the power of football to unite and bring joy to millions of disadvantaged children around the world.”

It’s a great honour to be part of the UEFA Foundation for Children’s 10th Anniversary celebrations. By championing inclusion through the amputee match, we hope to inspire clubs and communities across Europe and the globe to take meaningful steps toward breaking down barriers. The UEFA Foundation for Children does extraordinary work, and we are thrilled to expand our partnership into the Legacy for the Future project, supporting local charities with the mission to dismantle barriers for girls in and out of sports. Our joint initiatives are a powerful reminder that nothing should stand in the way of what people can achieve, regardless of who they are or where they come from.

- Panos Konstantopoulos, President of the Kaizen Foundation

About the Kaizen Foundation

Project partner

The Kaizen Foundation is a Social Purpose Foundation, funded exclusively by Kaizen Gaming, one of the biggest GameTech companies in the world. It envisions to serve as a catalyst for positive change on a global scale in partnership with local communities, NGOs, private and public institutions. The Kaizen Foundation’s mission is to deliver initiatives with long-term impact that foster innovation and improve all aspects of people’s lives with a focus on Society, Education and the Environment.

For more information about the Kaizen Foundation please visit: https://kaizen-foundation.org/

Aleksander Čeferin reflects on ten years of the UEFA Foundation

On its tenth birthday, UEFA president and UEFA Foundation for Children chair Aleksander Čeferin assesses the organisation's wide-reaching impact.

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 cheer up, inspire and empower them.

Reflecting on the past decade, what are some of the most significant achievements of the UEFA Foundation?

We've reached almost five million children living in difficult and precarious conditions in just ten years. Through 500 projects across nearly 140 countries, the Foundation has brought hope, joy, and real change to numerous communities that needed it most. We are proud of the global impact made, but we see it only as a beginning.

Can you share any memorable moments or projects that stand out to you personally?

Two will stay with me forever, both with tremendous emotional impact. One is the visit to the Zaatari refugee camp. Seeing those children there stripped of everything a child should have, including hope, yet lighting up in great joy and passion through football was astonishing.

Another striking memory is the visit to the Aliguma Foundation in Uganda - witnessing how local empathy and resilience take root through football was profoundly moving.

In both cases, it was a life-altering experience. These children have nothing in this world, yet they smile, they play, they sing, they dance. More importantly, they dream. Such sights are impossible to see in the more modern parts of the world today. It is a thoughtful reminder that happiness comes from within.

Watch: Aleksander Čeferin visits the Aliguma Foundation in Uganda

The UEFA Super Cup has become an annual celebration of the Foundation – over the years, you have met some truly inspirational young people…

Absolutely. I remember how Loukia, a visually impaired young girl we met at the Super Cup in Athens, showed extraordinary courage and grace. And Oliwia, a young amputee we met in Warsaw, inspired us all with her strength and determination.

I also remember Ali Turganbekov, a boy born without both legs from Kazakhstan, who was giving the medals alongside me in Istanbul. He told me he would win the Paralympic medal for his country in swimming, and from what I can hear, he is today on his way to accomplishing this. We can learn a lot from these children and their bravery.

Is there any plan to bring this activity into our other events and finals?

Yes, absolutely. We plan to expand these efforts to more events and finals, ensuring that the spirit of the Foundation continues to shine wherever football brings us together.

Aleksander Čeferin with Loukia at the 2023 UEFA Super Cup

What did being involved in football do for you as a child?

Football gave me joy, friendship, and a sense of belonging during childhood. The game offered the same to everyone who grew up on the streets of Yugoslavia. We didn't have much, but a simple ball, often home-made, and two rocks on each side of the improvised pitch were all we needed for happiness. I learned a lot about teamwork, discipline, and morals. The game also introduced me to my competitive nature and how to use it for the greater good. Football remained the love of my life for all these years, and I am privileged to work for the game's well-being.

How important is it that the Foundation is giving opportunities and hope to children all over the world, and not just in Europe?

Football is a global language, and so is our commitment. The beautiful game knows no borders, and it makes perfect sense for the Foundation to support projects beyond Europe. We believe it's our responsibility to reach out and help every child we can; there are children in need in every part of the world. The world has never been as close and connected as it is today, yet people often feel very lonely. Football is a great way to remind them how fun it is to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

How crucial are the partnerships that the Foundation has forged, as well as support from other UEFA sponsors and partners?

Partnerships are essential to our impact, and I am truly grateful to our partners for their outstanding initiatives and collaboration over these ten years. Thanks to the unwavering support of sponsors like FedEx and Pepsi, who were with us from the beginning, and newer partners such as Kaizen Foundation and Lidl, the UEFA Foundation has grown and extended the reach of our projects. We will continue working hard to build more of these partnerships because we can do so much more together.

Working with Lay's and PepsiCo, the Foundation has been able to open community pitches like this one in the USA

How should we measure the success and impact of the Foundation and its programmes?

Our motto is that every child can be a champion. Not necessarily in sports, but in life. I am delighted to hear the inspirational stories of our children who overcame everyday hardships and envision the future with more confidence and optimism than before. The road is still hard, but their success inspires millions of other children. And with happy children, communities are thriving. Success is also reflected in the growing interest from governments, partners, players, and institutions who see our work's true, lasting value.

How can the wider football community – national associations, clubs, players and fans – support the Foundation's work?

We are fortunate to have incredible support from the entire football family, including national associations, clubs, and players. The support grows daily, from players involved in Dreams projects to ambassadors like Ivan Rakitić and Eugénie Le Sommer. For our tenth anniversary, national associations have stepped up by organising additional social projects and events to support disadvantaged children in their respective countries. What I said for partners applies here, too - the more we work together, the more aligned our goals and actions are, the greater our impact is. Let's keep growing this movement together.

What advice would you give to other sports organisations looking to establish similar foundations?

Take a holistic approach. Start by listening to communities, involving all actors from the beginning - children, schools, governments, clubs, and national associations - and always think about long-term sustainability and impact. Many clubs already have foundations, and seeing even more sports organisations stepping into this field with purpose and passion would be wonderful.

Ali Turganbekov presents Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson with the trophy at the 2019 UEFA Super CupUEFA via Getty Images — Ali Turganbekov presents Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson with the trophy at the 2019 UEFA Super Cup UEFA via Getty Images

What is next for the Foundation as it enters its second decade? Is there anything you are looking forward to?

Looking ahead, we want to grow our support for more projects, forge new partnerships, and create more awareness and positive energy across the sporting world to connect with even more children. We're excited to involve more sports entities and continue using football - and sport more broadly - as a force for positive change.

Finally, what would you like to talk about the Foundation on its 20th birthday?

Children are a mirror. They reflect the world we offer but a magnified one. On our 20th birthday, I hope we will talk about how the image of the world we see today has changed for the better and that both UEFA and its Foundation have grown - not just in size or reputation – but in heart, humanity and devotion to children everywhere. With hope in their hearts and the right tools in their hands, they can and will build a brighter future.

UEFA Foundation celebrates tenth anniversary with special inclusion events at 2025 UEFA Youth League

In celebration of its tenth anniversary, the UEFA Foundation for Children is proud to announce a special match featuring amputee players, in partnership with Football Is More and supported by the Kaizen Foundation, ahead of the UEFA Youth League final in Nyon on Monday 28 April.

The match, taking place at the Colovray Sports Centre and free to attend, will feature two amputee teams made up of players from England, Greece and Poland. The players will be on-site throughout the final tournament, engaging with the public and Youth League players through a walking football experience leading up to the special match on Monday. The match is scheduled to start at 15:30, followed by a trophy ceremony at 17:00, allowing spectators to watch both this match and the Youth League final at 18:00.

This event offers a unique opportunity to witness the incredible spirit and talent of amputee athletes as they compete for their trophy. Highlighting the importance of inclusion in football, the game is guaranteed to captivate the audience and showcase football's unifying power.

The Kaizen Foundation is partnering with the UEFA Foundation for Children to drive positive changes in communities through football. By creating an inclusive space for all players, this partnership enhances the sport's quality and appreciation and empowers individuals globally. The charity Football Is More, which promotes inclusion and access to sport for disabled people, has also been instrumental in organising the selection of the amputee players and arranging their travel.

Conference on Inclusion

At 11:00 on Monday 28 April, a special conference will be held at the Château de Bossey to discuss football's role in social responsibility and inclusion for Children. Prof. Dr Jürgen Buschmann from German Sport University Cologne and other high-profile speakers will provide insights into football's current state, the obstacles to ensuring inclusion, and the future of the sport.

UEFA Foundation at the UEFA Youth League

Throughout the tournament, the UEFA Foundation for Children will have a stand at the Youth Plaza where the public can try walking football – an exciting game in which running is not allowed. Athletes from the amputee teams and Johan Djourou, UEFA ambassador, will also take part alongside members of the public.

About Football Is More

Project partner

A decade of hope, unity and opportunity

UEFA Foundation for Children celebrates its tenth anniversary with a new initiative involving European national associations

The UEFA Foundation for Children is deeply grateful to be celebrating its tenth anniversary, marking a decade of working hand-in-hand with communities to support children facing difficult circumstances. Since its creation in 2015, the foundation has been committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children across Europe and beyond.

Over the past ten years, the foundation has supported 577 projects in 138 countries, helping around 4.9 million children. By working with trusted partners, it has harnessed the unifying power of football to promote children's rights and foster progress in areas such as health, education, personal growth, inclusion and career opportunities.

To mark this special milestone, UEFA and the foundation are inviting all UEFA member associations to take part in a brand-new initiative. A total of €1m will be distributed equally among participating associations so they can develop social projects or events to support disadvantaged children in their own communities, possibly in collaboration with local NGOs.

This initiative is a sincere expression of unity and solidarity. It reflects the generosity and shared purpose of the European football community and a belief that, together, we can offer hope and opportunity to those who need it most. It's also a celebration of the values that define football at its best – fair play, inclusion and community spirit.

Aleksander Čeferin, chair of the board of trustees, said: “The foundation is dedicated to bringing the magic of football to every child, creating a safe and joyful space where they can dream, play and grow. With hope in their hearts and the right tools in their hands, they can and will build a brighter future. This initiative is another beautiful reflection of the compassion, solidarity and shared commitment that lives within the European football community.”

As we celebrate the decade behind us, we must also continue looking ahead. The UEFA Foundation for Children remains dedicated to supporting future generations on a journey of hope and empowerment for many years to come.

The foundation is dedicated to bringing the magic of football to every child, creating a safe and joyful space where they can dream, play and grow. With hope in their hearts and the right tools in their hands, they can and will build a brighter future. This initiative is another beautiful reflection of the compassion, solidarity and shared commitment that lives within the European football community.

- Aleksander Čeferin, chair of the board of trustees

UEFA Foundation for Children grants awarded to 72 projects

A total of €5m distributed to help children in need around the world.

The UEFA Foundation for Children’s board of trustees held its meeting of the year at UEFA headquarters on Wednesday 27 November. Chaired by Aleksander Čeferin, the members made a decisive move, voting to allocate €5m to 72 impactful projects working across 80 countries. The decision follows a call for projects issued this summer and demonstrates the foundation's firm commitment to making a difference. By investing in these projects, the foundation is championing and safeguarding the fundamental rights of vulnerable children around the globe, ensuring a brighter future for those who need it most.

During the meeting, the board members acknowledged the departure of Kevin Lamour, who had served as a member for seven years and was a strong advocate for the foundation’s values. The assembly also welcomed Michele Uva, UEFA Social and Environmental Sustainability Director, as a new member.

A review of the previous season was also performed, both from a financial point of view and in terms of the many activities carried out. The full activity report for the 2023/24 season will be published on uefafoundation.org shortly.

2024 call for projects

Number of projects per region (funds allocated as a percentage of total)

31 Europe (47.8%)

21 Africa (26.6%)

10 Asia (12.8%)

1 Oceania (3%)

6 Central America (5.5%)

3 South America (4.3%)

NGOs selected to receive funding following the 2024 call for projects

PARTNERS	COUNTRIES
Save the Children Switzerland	Albania
Bridge of Hope	Armenia
Breaking Grounds	Austria
Impala performance ASBL	Belgium
Association for Sport, Recreation and Education	Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia
Fair Play Point	Czechia
Children of Prisoners Europe	Europe
European Amputee Football Federation	Europe
Paris Saint-Germain endowment fund	France
Orama Neon YOUTHORAMA	Greece
Oltalom Sport Association	Hungary
Sport Against Racism Ireland	Ireland
Peres Center for Peace and Innovation	Israel
ASD Centro Olimpia Giarratana	Italy
KFV Prishtina	Kosovo
Vilnius Social Club	Lithuania
Stichting Het Gehandicapte Kind	Netherlands
KNVB WorldCoaches	Netherlands
Rio Ferdinand Foundation	Northern Ireland
Trenuj Bycie Dobrym	Poland
Samusocial International	Romania
Big Hearts Community Trust	Scotland
Development Center for Youth	Serbia
Federació Esportiva Catalana de Paralítics Cerebrals	Spain
Asociación Alacrán 1997	Spain
En Frisk Generation	Sweden
Fondation IdéeSport	Switzerland
Swiss Academy for Development	Switzerland
Shakhtar Social	Ukraine
Klitschko Foundation	Ukraine
Bloomsbury Football Foundation	United Kingdom
Association Kenskoazell Afrika	Benin
Grandir Dignement	Cameroon, Madagascar, Niger
CABO VERDE Stiftung für Bildung	Cape Verde
iACT	Central African Republic
INTERSOS	Chad
Georges Malaika Foundation	Democratic Republic of Congo
Water4Wildlife Maasai Mara	Kenya
Mathare Youth Sports Association	Kenya
Aletha's Legacy	Liberia
Association Humanitaire AKAMASOA	Madagascar
Our Aim Foundation	Malawi
Association Libre Vue	Mali
Tibu Africa	Morocco
Futebol dá força foundation	Mozambique
Cross Cultures Project Association	Nigeria
Grootbos Foundation	South Africa
Badgers Football Academy	South Africa
Sports Charity Mwanza	Tanzania
Aliguma Foundation	Uganda
Game Rangers International	Zambia
African Wildlife Conservation Fund	Zimbabwe
Right to Learn Afghanistan	Afghanistan
Action for Development (Switzerland)	Afghanistan
Children's Future International	Cambodia
ASA Foundation	Indonesia
Al-Mesalla organisation for human resources development	Iraq
Association Football Development Programme (AFDP) Global	Jordan
Tawazon Initiative for Development	Lebanon
Childreach Nepal	Nepal
FundLife International	Philippines
Football Association of Norway (Football for All in Vietnam project)	Vietnam
This is How We Football	14 Pacific islands
Fútbol por mi País	Costa Rica
GOALS Haiti (Global Outreach and Love of Soccer)	Haiti
educate.	Honduras
Fight for Peace International	Jamaica
Street Child United	Mexico
Soccer in the Streets	United States
River Plate Foundation	Argentina
Ankla Foundation	Colombia
Sinkumunchis	Peru

After her first meeting in her new role, Carine N'koué, general secretary of the foundation, said:

“I am very pleased to announce that our board members have decided to support 72 projects through the Foundation in 2025. We all know how powerful sport and especially football can be. Those projects use that incredible power to impact the lives of countless children around the world for a better life.”

The next board meeting will be held in Lisbon on Saturday 24 May 2025.

The next call for projects is scheduled for June/July 2025.

I am very pleased to announce that our board members have decided to support 72 projects through the Foundation in 2025. We all know how powerful sport and especially football can be. Those projects use that incredible power to impact the lives of countless children around the world for a better life.”

- Carine Nkoue, general secretary of the foundation

UEFA EURO 2024 review

UEFA EURO 2024 was a fantastic opportunity to deliver on the UEFA Foundation for Children’s mission, to use the power of football to unite and bring joy to vulnerable children across the world

Inside and outside stadiums across Germany, we teamed up with charity organisations and tournament sponsors to provide a series of unforgettable moments and activities for children, as well as helping raise awareness of sustainability topics such as inclusivity, the fight against racism, children’s rights, and accessibility.

10,000 smiles

In collaboration with EURO 2024 sponsor the Kaizen Foundation, we donated 10,000 tickets to disadvantaged children and teenagers in all ten host cities as part of the 10,000 Smiles project. This campaign benefited 200 charitable organisations, and 250 tickets were set aside for the first four matches in each host city.

Thomas Pollak, EURO 2024 project manager for the host city of Stuttgart, said:

"Football stands for diversity and connects all groups and social classes. The 10,000 Smiles project is a prime example. We are delighted that these children and teenagers, accompanied by their parents and guardians, were able to enjoy an unforgettable experience at our arena during the group stage. It shows once again that football is more than just sport and can build bridges between people – regardless of their background or circumstances."

Robot

Together with the global home appliance and consumer electronics brand Hisense, we also launched Faith In Young Champions, a public welfare initiative, during EURO 2024. The supplier Awabot implemented the programme, providing robots to hospitalised children for whom attending the tournament would be a dream come true.

The football-loving children could use the robots to enter exclusive areas such as the warm-up zone, the dressing rooms and the VIP areas, and get closer to their beloved players or teams.

Key figures

8 telepresence robots
4 stadiums, in Berlin, Dortmund, Frankfurt, and Munich
23 games
nearly 50 ill or disabled youngsters in 25 European countries and other parts of the world

Lidl player mascots

In collaboration with EURO sponsor Lidl, children from the organisations SOS Children’s Villages and In Safe Hands had the chance to be player mascots for Türkiye vs Georgia match on 18 June.

Fan festivals

Activities promoting foundation projects were organised at all the EURO fan festivals staged in each city. For example, A Ball for All organized matches for visually impaired children using a special jingling football. Anyone could get involved to discover first-hand what it’s like to play the game without being able to see. Football for Unity 2.0, meanwhile, created a series of initiatives focusing on equality, including a video shown in fan zones encouraging fans to fight racism.

Frankfurt, GERMANY - JUNE 23: (L-R) Barbara Doumanidou, Elias Mastoras, Loukia Kasamaki, Nikos Kasamakis, Constantinos Kasamakis, Pinelopi Karavida and Xrisostomos Kasamakis pose during a The Ball For All campaign at the official UEFA Fan Zone during the UEFA EURO 2024 Group A match between Germany and Switzerland on June 23, 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany.(Photo by Neil Baynes - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Second Life

UEFA’s sustainability drive continued after the tournament, with the Second Life project redistributing leftover materials and equipment. Local organisations benefited from a diverse range of recycled goods, including adidas tournament uniforms and unsold official merchandise as well as office equipment (tables, printers, monitors, and even refrigerators) and stadium dressing material. Anything that could be reused was found a new home.

Auction

The ball kicked by Mikel Oyarzabal to score the winning goal in the EURO 2024 final raised €20,000 for the UEFA Foundation for Children. It was identified using adidas Connected Ball technology and auctioned on Catawiki. All proceeds went to the foundation.

FC Miracles – giving hope to Rome’s ghetto neighbourhood

FC Miracles – giving hope to Rome's ghetto neighbourhood

Supported by the UEFA Foundation for Children, a revolutionary variant of football called calciosociale, or social football, has allowed an entire unprivileged neighbourhood to find hope and purpose again.

Il Serpentone. The big serpent.

Less than half an hour away from Rome’s city centre, one giant grey building, one kilometre long, lies in one of Rome’s most famous ghetto areas: Corviale. There, over 5,000 people live in poverty, amid drug deals, school dropouts, violence and misery. An entire village crowded into a single concrete building.

Built in the 1970s, the original idea behind Corviale was to create a place where people could live, do their grocery shopping, go to the post office or take their children to school all in one place. Fifty years later, the concept has never seen the light of day and the shops and services that should have populated the fourth floor have now been replaced by illegal and overcrowded housing conditions and drug trafficking. With a lack of maintenance and broken infrastructure (lifts not working, shortage of hot water, and much more), many inhabitants, many of whom are retired, are struggling to live in such conditions.

In 2009, one visionary man, Massimo Vallati, came up with a crazy idea: to build a joyful community centre in Corviale called Campo dei Miracoli, or 'the pitch of miracles'. Supported by the UEFA Foundation for Children, Massimo built a place where children could grow up in peace, in a safe and healthy environment built around football. But not any kind of football: il calciosociale, an inclusive version of the game, where everyone is welcome, with no discrimination.

From an empty and disused area, Massimo and the community created a structure, poles apart from the cold, grey and austere Corviale: a colourful, warm sports centre equipped with all the necessary facilities to play football.

A holistic approach to an inclusive and sustainable project

The contrast is striking. The wooden campus and the green of the three synthetic pitches stand out in the middle of Corviale’s concrete jungle. Inaugurated in February 2014, during the FIFA World Cup trophy tour, the structure has won many awards in bioarchitecture for its use of natural materials and sustainability.

“Calciosociale wants to create change inside our society. Campo dei Miracoli belongs to the community and is a safe place where kids can come to do their homework, study, receive psychological support and play a type of football based on social rules that encourage social and civil conscience, both at a society and individual level.”

Massimo Vallati, founder

Supported by local companies and associations, the campus is also equipped with a spacious indoor arena, dressing rooms, showers, a welcome desk, a meeting room and even a professional kitchen. Next to the main pitch, Massimo also planned a garden where organic fruits and vegetables are picked and cooked for the children. The garden is taken care of and handled by Vermiglia Desideri, the nonna of Corviale. She is also helped by other mothers in the neighbourhood, who all work together to serve the community.

In this small haven of peace, everyone is welcome and everyone can play: children, parents, and people with disabilities or psychological problems. The whole project has been designed to accompany Corviale’s community in their daily lives.

The reality of children living in Corviale is not the reality of every citizen of Rome. Many have lost their parents to drug abuse or gang deals and are living with their ageing grandparents. Campo dei Miracoli has become their second home and a family for those who are not fortunate enough to have one. They come after school and receive help from two teachers to do their homework twice a week. Every Tuesday, girls can attend the 'social sofa', an evening dedicated to discussions with a psychologist, followed by a shared meal, home-cooked by Massimo and the cook, made from the garden’s produce. On Thursdays, the younger ones aged 5-8 can play while their mothers can attend a Pilates class in the indoor arena. All provided by Campo dei Miracoli.

“We help children study Italian, maths or science, but also to follow the rules, listen and help others. Many of these kids do not have a traditional, safe family model at home, so we try to be an additional adult figure and example for them.”

Giovanna, teacher

Calciosociale – the one who wins is the one who cares

Vince solo chi custodisce. Invented by Massimo, the social football rules are simple: everyone is welcome, and you can only win if you take care of your teammates, on and off the pitch. The game is not only an experiment; it’s a true research topic, followed by several renowned Italian universities, which are studying the impact of such a game on disadvantaged communities.

Teams are composed of a mix of players, all with varying physical abilities, without distinction. Each player is given a coefficient based on sporting abilities, and teams are formed with players with different coefficients to ensure fairness and equality. Each team bears the name of an important life value: humanity, empathy, respect, and so on. Why, you ask? Because the winner is the team that scores the most goals, not only on the pitch but also off it: by writing a song for the team, picking up litter in the adjacent streets or planting vegetables.

There is no referee, and each team’s coach must agree on decisions. One player cannot score more than three goals during a match. Once they have scored a hat-trick, they cannot take another shot at goal but must pass the ball to a team-mate.

“Football has the potential to be a tool of social cohesion, and calciosociale is what this is about. There is nothing like football that has this kind of reach and power,” explains Massimo.

A parent explains: “The good thing about calciosociale is that it shows everyone that you might not be an expert in everything, but everyone can contribute to the game and help the team win.”

“I love playing calciosociale. The rules are hard but fair. We play with different people, of different ages, genders etc but in the end, we are all the same.”

Siria, 12 years old

“I’m always coming here. I come straight after school and play football, do my homework or meet with my friends. I love playing football and I feel safe here."

Denise, 14 years old

The rules of calciosociale

Value your differences
Discover your hidden potential
We grow together and win together
We take decisions together
Help your teammates
Everyone can be a champion
We are all first-team players
Listen and share
The game doesn’t end after 90 minutes
Champions on the pitch. Champions in life.

What the future holds

Massimo’s vision is to bring calciosociale to professional football academies in Italy and beyond, including it alongside traditional training sessions. Recently, calciosociale's methodology has been tested in a football academy in Slovenia, with more to come in the future.

The objective behind scaling the project up is to change the development of players at a macro level, to help them become thoughtful human beings with a strong sense of justice and international values.

This summer, Massimo and the children headed North: the team organised a summer camp in Coverciano, Italy’s national training centre. A rare occasion for the children to get out of Corviale and see another part of their country, meet with women's and men’s national team players and even train under their guidance, before enjoying a well-deserved break.

The UEFA Foundation for Children is supporting the calciosociale project with €100,000. This funding is used to pay for the children's football training over the year, buy equipment, and hire coaches and educators.

Calciosociale wants to create change inside our society. Campo dei Miracoli belongs to the community and is a safe place where kids can come to do their homework, study, receive psychological support and play a type of football based on social rules that encourage social and civil conscience, both at a society and individual level.”

- Massimo Vallati, founder

About Calciosocial

Project partner

learn more about the project supported by the foundation here

Play for Equality: Promoting gender equality in Ukrainian sports from a young age

Play for Equality

Play for Equality is promoting gender equality in Ukrainian sports from a young age

In Ukraine, girls' participation in sports has long been hindered by gender stereotypes, and the ongoing war, which affects children’s motivation and well-being, also has an impact. To address this issue, the UEFA Foundation for Children and Klitschko Foundation launched the Play for Equality project to combat gender inequality in sports by focusing on those who can make the most impact: physical education teachers and their female pupils.

Play for Equality is a multistage project that takes a comprehensive approach. The project began with a 21-day online training programme for 150 PE teachers from across Ukraine, where they learned about gender equality in sports. These teachers then implemented local sports projects, engaging around 14,000 children in various physical activities. To continue to foster an inclusive sports environment, the teachers received sets of sports equipment.

Following these initial efforts, 20 standout participants were selected for the second stage of the project: five days of learning and sports training at the Ruh Football Academy. This session delivered deeper, introducing PE teachers to a gender-sensitive approach to physical education. The participants learned how to address the different physical and psychological needs of children. Workshops and sessions were led by current and former representatives of the Volleyball Federation of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Football Association, the Handball Federation of Ukraine, the Cheerleading Federation of Ukraine, and the Field Hockey Federation of Ukraine, all supported by the country’s Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The teachers returned to their schools not just with new insights but with a renewed understanding that sport is for everyone, whatever their age, gender, fitness level, or access to equipment. The Play for Equality project is more than just a training programme; it is a movement to ensure that every child in Ukraine can experience the joy and benefits of sport on an equal footing.

Additional information on the project: here

For many girls, physical education classes are often their first experience of unequal treatment, which consequently reduces their interest in sports. We implemented the Play for Equality project because we strive to change this. Together with the UEFA Foundation for Children, we have been creating projects for six years to ensure equal opportunities for student development, regardless of gender, place of residence, or financial resources.”

- Angelina Osadcha, Director of the Klitschko Foundation

UEFA EURO 2024: Cooperation between SOS-Kinderdorf e.V. and the UEFA Foundation for Children

United for the Children

Munich, 10 June 2024. SOS-Kinderdorf e.V. and the UEFA Foundation for Children are working together during UEFA EURO 2024, which is being held in Germany from 14 June to 14 July 2024. The aim of their joint initiative – United for the Children – is to highlight the needs of underprivileged children and to raise awareness of children’s rights. “We are delighted and proud to be working with the UEFA foundation. We are both committed to improving the lives of socially disadvantaged youngsters. Together, we want to use UEFA EURO 2024 not only to celebrate football but to promote children’s rights, equality and integration,” says Georg Falterbaum, member of the board of SOS-Kinderdorf e.V.

“Football brings people together, regardless of where they come from. It promotes a shared sense of belonging and has the potential to break down social barriers,” says Carine Nkoue, General Secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children, which was founded by UEFA in 2015 and has since provided assistance to more than 2 million children living in difficult circumstances. “Every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential, every child should have the same rights and every child should have the chance of a secure future. These are the aims that unite SOS-Kinderdorf e.V. and the UEFA foundation and that we will champion at UEFA EURO 2024,” adds SOS board member Georg Falterbaum.

During the tournament, SOS-Kinderdorf and the UEFA foundation will promote the joint initiative 'United for the Children: Empowering children together. Get involved!'. In so, they doing will launch various campaigns highlighting the needs of underprivileged children, encouraging fans to get involved and providing tangible help. UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany will not only bear witness to some outstanding and emotional sporting moments, it will also be a unique platform for promoting solidarity and a shared responsibility for ensuring the well-being of every child. Visitors to the SOS-Kinderdorf information stands in selected host cities and the fan zones in Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Stuttgart will be able to pit their table football skills against those of other fans while learning more about the work of SOS-Kinderdorf. A football that has been specially designed for EURO 2024 underlines the cooperation and symbolises football’s commitment to community, diversity, respect, solidarity and fairness.

Follow this link to watch a short video about the cooperation between SOS-Kinderdorf and the UEFA Foundation for Children: https://youtu.be/rr0YXcebCsA

Further information is available at:

SOS-Kinderdorf e.V.

Project partner

SOS-Kinderdorf offers a home to children in need and in so doing helps to improve the social situations of disadvantaged young people and families. SOS children’s villages provide children whose biological parents are unable to care for them for whatever reason with the opportunity to grow up in a family environment. They are given protection and security and thus the foundations on which to build a successful life. SOS-Kinderdorf provides assistance to mothers, fathers and families with children from the very outset in mother and family centres. It also provides early support in its day care and meeting facilities. The organisation helps young people with public services and offers them a home in shared apartments for young people as well as good prospects in vocational training institutions. SOS-Kinderdorf also operates village communities for people with mental health problems and intellectual impairments. Some 5,000 employees provide help in 38 institutions across Germany. With 800 different services, the organisation reaches out to and supports approximately 107,000 people living in difficult circumstances in Germany. Furthermore, the German organisation finances around 90 programmes in 20 priority countries and has active sponsorship programmes in 109 countrie

Further information is available (in German) at www.sos-kinderdorf.de

Media contact: christa.manta@sos-kinderdof.de

Kaizen Foundation supports the UEFA Foundation for Children for the 10,000 Smiles Project for UEFA EURO 2024™

EURO 2024 match day tickets for children from underprivileged backgrounds and with disabilities

Kaizen Foundation, a charitable organization funded by Kaizen Gaming, is supporting the "10,000 Smiles" project of the UEFA Foundation for Children. This initiative will provide 10,000 UEFA EURO 2024™ match tickets to associations working with vulnerable children, bringing them joy and unforgettable experiences.

The UEFA Foundation for Children is offering EURO 2024™ match tickets to children aged 8 to 16 from underprivileged backgrounds and children with disabilities from 8 to 21 years old. Selection is coordinated with each host city based on their unique priorities.

“Working with the Kaizen Foundation for our 10,000 Smiles project has been amazing. It was clear from day one that its team shared our vision and dedication to bring the joy and excitement of live football to children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with disabilities,” said Kluser Urs, General Secretary of UEFA Foundation for Children. “Having support from organisations like the Kaizen Foundation is critical in allowing us to achieve our goal of improving access to sport and bringing smiles and hope to children who need it most. We are looking forward to collaborating with the Kaizen Foundation for more initiatives in the future”.

Through this partnership, Kaizen Foundation and UEFA Foundation for Children will host 10,000 children across 40 matches in 10 different stadiums. Special accommodations will be made for children with specific needs, including adapted seats, entrances, and travel arrangements.

We are truly honoured to become partners of an organisation, such as the UEFA Foundation for Children. We are a very young organisation, but from the very beginning, the Kaizen Foundation has shown its commitment to improving the lives of children. With grants surpassing €4 million in total in the last months, we have launched the renovation of the Penteli Children’s General Hospital in Greece and we have completed the renovation of a critical section of the Pitesti Pediatric Hospital in Romania. Now, we will be supporting the UEFA Foundation for Children in helping 10,000 kids smile. The work UEFA is doing to ensure this year's tournament leaves a lasting legacy is so important in ensuring all children everywhere have the opportunity to enjoy football”

- Panos Konstantopoulos, Kaizen Foundation President

About the Kaizen Foundation

Project partner

For more information about the Kaizen Foundation please visit: https://kaizen-foundation.org/

UEFA Foundation board visits ActionAid Hellas in Athens

The board of trustees held its biannual meeting in the Greek capital ahead of the UEFA Conference League final.

The board, chaired by Aleksander Čeferin, met for the first time this year at the headquarters of ActionAid Hellas, a long-standing partner of the foundation. The meeting was unique as Ritah Aliguma, founder and CEO of the Aliguma Foundation, and some young beneficiaries from Uganda also joined the meeting. The board members appreciated the opportunity to meet with representatives of the two partners and thank them for their outstanding work using sport to promote the resilience and empowerment of young people.

The board took note of the upcoming departure of Urs Kluser from the foundation’s administration, thanking him for his tireless work over the previous six years. Carine N’koué will take over as General Secretary.

The members also confirmed the beneficiaries of the 2024 UEFA Foundation for Children Award, having received nominations from the 55 UEFA member associations. Nominees had to meet the following eligibility criteria:

Based in one of UEFA’s member countries
Compliance with the Ethics Code of the UEFA Foundation for Children
Registered with the relevant national authorities and comply with all legal and financial obligations
Focused on helping disadvantaged children

In addition, priority was given to charities nominated by national associations whose partners had not received an award in 2023.

A total of 18 European charitable organisations working for children’s rights were selected, each receiving a grant of €50,000. The recipients are:


UEFA member association	Award winner
Football Federation of Armenia	Akhtamar Girls Football Academy
Royal Belgian Football Association	Êkhô Sport
Bulgarian Football Union	Bulgarian Sports Federation for Social Development
Croatian Football Federation	Association of Persons with Disabilities of Sisak-Moslavina County
Football Association of the Czech Republic	Linka bezpečí (‘safety line’)
The FA (England)	Rays of Sunshine
German Football Association	Hopp Kindertumorzentrum Heidelberg
Hellenic Football Federation (Greece)	The Smile of the Child
Italian Football Federation	Scholas Occurrentes
Irish Football Association (Northern Ireland)	Irish FA Foundation
Football Federation of Kosovo	KFV Prishtina
Football Association of Moldova	AO Sunshine
Football Association of Norway	Football for the Goals (UN initiative) advisory foundation
Polish Football Association	Trenuj Bycie Dobrym (‘train to be good’)
Portuguese Football Federation	Portuguese Oncology Institute (IPO) – Lisbon and Porto
Russian Football Union	Maykop special educational and correctional College
Football Association of Serbia	OSVIT Association of Roma Women
Ukrainian Association of Football	Ukrainian Amputee Football Association

Don Tiara Mirembe commented her visit (beneficiary of the Aliguma Foundation project):

“I grew up with a single mother and she could not take care of my best needs and me personally. But thank God the Aliguma foundation came in and started taking care of me. Now I can go to school, and I can get most of my best needs and even take part in football. It was a great honour for me to be able to speak to the members of the UEFA Foundation for children today, to share our experiences with them and to express our gratitude.”

2024 call for projects

This year, applicants should submit details of their projects between 1 July and 1 August. The selection criteria will be set out in the application form.

Follow our activities on our website and our official social media channels:

Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; LinkedIn; TikTok; YouTube

Please send any questions to: tania.baima@uefafoundation.org

UEFA Foundation for Children inaugurates Lay’s RePlay pitch in Bilbao, Spain

UEFA Foundation for Children inaugurates Lay's RePlay pitch in Bilbao, Spain

The new field has been built in the Errekalde sports center and will be inaugurated leading up to the UEFA Women's Champions League final.

Bilbao, May 23rd, 2024.- Lay's RePlay has inaugurated this morning its first pitch in Bilbao (Errekalde) aimed at supporting young women at risk of exclusion through soccer in the framework of the UEFA Women's Champions League final.

The launch of the initiative has been made possible thanks to the support of Lay's and its key collaborating partners as the UEFA Foundation for Children, Common Goal, Bilbao Kirolak (Bilbao City Council) and Fundazioa (Athletic Club Foundation).

With this new space, the partners will promote an inclusive sports program that will foster the social development of young migrant women between the ages of 12 to 18 to strengthen not only their socioemotional skills, but also their sense of belonging, tolerance, respect, commitment, teamwork and collaboration in the community. In this sense, UEFA Foundation and Lay's RePlay seek to contribute to gender equality in sports, training and educating girls and women to actively participate in the soccer environment.

A full program will be run on an ongoing basis that will include different activities from, for example, improving soccer skills to developing communication or teamwork, key social skills for the development and growth of the players.

Johana Ruiz de Olabuenaga, Director of the Social Area of Athletic Club, concludes: "At Athletic Club Fundazioa we are committed to the integral development of people through sport. Lay's RePlay gives us the opportunity to work in collaboration with other key players that support our goal of promoting gender equality and social inclusion through soccer. We are confident that this initiative will have a great impact on the young women of Bilbao and their communities".

The girls will participate in a league in different educational centers aimed at students and family members with players from Athletic Club's first and second teams. In addition, players from Athletic Club's men's and women's teams will be involved, with the particular participation of female athletes, who will serve as role models for the young girls to look up to and be inspired by.

The program will also include integration activities and events for the participants and their families that will serve to strengthen ties with the community. The goal of the women's training sessions is to form three teams aimed at empowering women in soccer, particularly in the migrant communities of Errekalde and Ibaiondo.

Lay's RePlay represents our commitment to sport and sustainability. We are excited to open this camp in Bilbao and to be able to offer young girls in the community the opportunity to grow and develop through soccer

- Derica Lascorz, Lay's Southwest Europe Marketing Manager

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_Scr_Logotype_Primary_Black-01

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.

UEFA Youth League final delighted football fans in our region

Special community activity for finalists Olympiacos and AC Milan

The UEFA Youth League has now been developing talent for over a decade, but it is also helping to ensure players become well-rounded individuals thanks to dedicated educational and social initiatives.

The UEFA Foundation for Children feels it is very important to take part in this event to create awareness of our mission within UEFA in the region, by involving younger and older football fans from the local community. We are present in the Youth Plaza running a booth with fun activities and the possibility to take part in an educational quiz about football but also on the Convention of the Rights of the Child.

One of the highlights of this tournament is the opportunity for social interaction between the finalist players and youngsters who are facing difficulties in their daily lives. This meet and greet serves a dual purpose: for the players who are embarking on their professional careers, it is a way to realise how lucky they are and their responsibility as future role models for young people. For our young participants, it is an opportunity to share special moments that provide them with the energy to persevere and build a better life for themselves.

Thanks to our partnership with Rêves Suisse, we had the opportunity to welcome children from two local hostels to the UEFA campus. These hostels are a haven for children aged between 6 and 18 years old who cannot remain in their family environment due to concerns about their upbringing and safety. These facilities are structured to cater to each child's unique needs.

Our young guests had a chance to warm up before meeting some players from finalists Milan and Olympiacos. They trained and played a short friendly match together. Later, they were taken on a tour of UEFA headquarters, visited the VAR room, and had lunch in the UEFA restaurant with all the players.

Anna (alias), said, "I hadn't played football until today, but I had a lot of fun. I liked meeting the players the most – they were very kind to me."

Dennis (alias), added, "I was excited to meet the Milan players. We were able to kick a ball around for a long time. That was a magic moment for me."

This edition not only allowed us to fulfil our objectives, but also to make a dream come true for Yohan, a quadriplegic diehard Nantes FC fan who travelled 850km with his mother to come and support his club’s youth team. On his arrival, we surprised him with a meet and greet with the tournament’s ambassador, Christian Karembeu, who started his football career at Nantes.

The foundation invited 30 dreamers of Rêves Suisse to attend the semi-finals and the final of the UEFA Youth League 2024, at which Olympicos ultimately raised the trophy.

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 Türkiye, 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

About Common Goal

Project Partner

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.