UEFA Foundation for Children launches digital transformation

UEFA Foundation for Children launches digital transformation

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

 

 

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About KeeeX

Project Partner

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

 

Children meet UEFA Champions League stars virtually before kick-off

Children meet UEFA Champions League stars virtually before kick-off

The UEFA Foundation for Children and Mastercard have been offering several children a once in a lifetime chance to welcome UEFA Champions League stars virtually as they enter stadiums across Europe. Over two weeks, eight children from around Europe interacted with players from some of the biggest European football clubs as they arrived for their official 2020 UEFA Champions League matches.

The young children waved to an array of superstars including Mo Salah (Liverpool),  Sadio Mané (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Gini Wijnaldum (Liverpool), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Thorgan Hazard (Dortmund), Axel Witsel (Dortmund), Marco Reus (Dortmund), Justin Kluivert (Leipzig), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern) and Harry Maguire (Manchester United).

On the 25 November, 7-year-old Davion and 10-year-old Ashley welcomed the players ahead of the UEFA Champions League game between Ajax and Midtjylland. Davion and Ashley are both huge Ajax fans and Ashley was particularly excited to welcome her favourite player; dutch superstar, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Davion and Ashely are from our partner organisation – the Johann Cruyff Foundation. On the same evening, 8-year-old Zubair welcomed the reigning European champions, Bayern Munich as they faced RB Salzburg.  Zubair is from our partner organisation, Kicken Ohne Grenzen.

On the 1 December, Lucas and Madison from the Liverpool School of Medicine and the Liverpool FC Foundation welcomed the Liverpool players as they took on European giants, Ajax.  Lucas was particularly excited to welcome his favourite player, Sadio Mané:

I am so excited. I love Sadio Mané. Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity.

Madison’s favourite player is Bobby Firmino and she also loves to play football. Despite being injured recently, Madison has attended training every week to help the coaches and watch her teammates.

Lucas and Madison were extremely excited when they got a bonus wave and a big hello from Liverpool FC head coach, Jürgen Klopp.

On the 2 December, 9-year-old Mia and 8-year-old Mario welcomed the players from Dortmund and Lazio. Mia and Mario were both very excited to welcome their favourite players Marco Reus and Erling Haaland. Mia and Mario are from our partner organisation, the European Football Development Network (EFDN) and both play football for Dortmund.

Finally, on the 8 December, 9-year-old Liam from Germany welcomed the star players from Manchester United and Leipzig before their official UEFA Champions League match.  Liam loves to play football and his favourite club is RB Leipzig. Liam’s dreams became real as he welcomed the team and especially his favourite players Dayot Upamecano, Kevin Kampl and Marcel Sabitzer. He also got to meet and greet the RB Leipzig Head coach, Julian Nagelsmann. Liam is linked to our partner organisation, the German football federation and Liam also plays for the junior RB Leipzig team.

A big thank you to all the children and all our partner organisations for helping create these brilliant memories.

 

 

 

 

 

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UEFA Foundation for Children supports Gazprom pitch donation in Serbia

UEFA Foundation for Children supports Gazprom pitch donation in Serbia

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

 

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55 new children’s projects approved

55 new children’s projects approved

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Norman Darmanin Demajo, member of the board of trustees

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

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Just Play "Just Play programme"

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Grootbos Green Futures Foundation " Football Foundation Sports for Good"

 

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

Auction: official signed shirts and footballs from UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League

Auction: official signed shirts and footballs from UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League

Signed shirts worn by Lionel Messi from Barcelona, Sami Khedira from Juvenus and Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League ball signed by Chelsea players and much more memorabilia are available now on auctions.uefafoundation.org . Get a shirt signed by your favourite player while supporting humanitarian projects around the world.

The UEFA Foundation for Children is auctioning many limited-edition items, including shirts and footballs from the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. The foundation helps children and safeguards their rights, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The proceeds will be used to finance humanitarian and development projects, mainly involving sport and football, that promote health, education, personal development and the integration of minorities.

Stack Sports will provide GameDay, its online auction platform, for the UEFA Foundation for Children fundraising activities.

Cyril Pellevat, the head of administration at the UEFA Foundation for Children, welcomed the partnership: "The UEFA Foundation for Children is pleased to digitise its fundraising activities by partnering with Stack Sports. Football fans all around the world will have a chance to win limited edition memorabilia from official UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches.”

The UEFA Foundation for Children is pleased to digitise its fundraising activities by partnering with Stack Sports. Football fans all around the world will have a chance to win limited edition memorabilia from official UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches.

- Cyril Pellevat, the head of administration at the UEFA Foundation for Children

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About Stack Sports

Stack Sports has been providing next-generation technology solutions on the Australian market since 2001 and has extended its key markets to include Europe, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Other Stack Sports partners in Europe include Basketball England, the Rugby Football League, Basketball Ireland, World Bowling and Run for All. Stack Sports provides membership, competition and event management platforms along with various digital websites, e-commerce, and fundraising solutions for the sports community.

 

Visa donates €50,000 to UEFA Foundation-backed charity selected by Delphine Cascarino

Visa donates €50,000 to UEFA Foundation-backed charity selected by Delphine Cascarino

Player of the Match winner from last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final, Delphine Cascarino, has selected French charity Sport dans la Ville to receive a €50,000 donation from Visa

Olympique Lyonnais forward Delphine Cascarino has directed a €50,000 donation from Visa to Sport dans la Ville, which is supported by the UEFA Foundation for Children.

The 23-year-old was instrumental in helping her team defeat VfL Wolfsburg 3-1 in August’s UEFA Women's Champions League final in San Sebastián and was named Player of the Match, presented by Visa.the Player of the Match the opportunity to choose one of the 245 charities supported by the UEFA Foundation for Children.

“I was honoured to be named UEFA Women’s Champions League final’s player of the match," Cascarino said. "I am of course delighted my contribution has been recognised on the pitch, but it is a wonderful feeling to be able to make a difference off the field of play as well.

“Thanks to the generosity of Visa, I am in a position to choose an organisation which is very close to my heart. Sport dans la Ville is doing some exceptional work in my hometown of Lyon and is supporting young people across France. I’m proud to have played a small part in improving people’s lives and am looking forward to charting their progress over the coming years.”

Sport dans la Ville, a longstanding partner of the UEFA Foundation, works with young and disadvantaged children in marginalised neighbourhoods across France to help them achieve a better life through sports by offering mentoring and entrepreneurship programmes. Founded in 1998, today the charity operates in 46 urban areas and has supported more than 12,000 at-risk youths across the country.

“This is a wonderful initiative by Visa to give Delphine Cascarino the opportunity to make a potentially life-changing gesture,” said Nadine Kessler, UEFA’s chief of women’s football. “Football has the power to initiate positive change, by giving girls confidence, resilience and important life skills. This is why I am so delighted that through the UEFA Foundation for Children, last season’s final will have a lasting legacy in helping to improve the lives of youngsters.”

“I want to thank Visa and Delphine on behalf of the entire Sport dans la Ville organisation for this very generous donation,” said Nicholas Eschermann, president of Sport dans la Ville. “We are very lucky to receive this level of support from such a player and company and we look forward to using this to expand our work.”

In December 2018, UEFA announced a landmark seven-year partnership with Visa, who in the process became the first ever UEFA sponsor dedicated to women's football.

The milestone agreement has made Visa a main partner of the UEFA Women's Champions League, UEFA Women's EURO, the UEFA European Women's Under-19 and U17 Championships and UEFA Women's Futsal EURO until 2025, as well as UEFA's football marketing platform Together #WePlayStrong, which is aimed at getting more girls and women to play football.

I was honoured to be named UEFA Women’s Champions League final’s player of the match. I am of course delighted my contribution has been recognised on the pitch, but it is a wonderful feeling to be able to make a difference off the field of play as well.

Thanks to the generosity of Visa, I am in a position to choose an organisation which is very close to my heart. Sport dans la Ville is doing some exceptional work in my hometown of Lyon and is supporting young people across France. I’m proud to have played a small part in improving people’s lives and am looking forward to charting their progress over the coming years.

- Delphine Cascarino, Olympique Lyonnais player

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I want to thank Visa and Delphine on behalf of the entire Sport dans la Ville organisation for this very generous donation. We are very lucky to receive this level of support from such a player and company and we look forward to using this to expand our work.

- Nicholas Eschermann, president of Sport dans la Ville

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About Visa

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

UEFA Foundation makes Hanya’s dreams come true

UEFA Foundation makes Hanya's dreams come true

Hanya Mirzai is 20 years old, originally from Iran and loves football and until recently had never been inside a stadium.

Hanya Mirzai is 20 years old, originally from Iran and had never been inside a football stadium until the UEFA Foundation and its partner organisation in Budapest, Oltalom, secured her tickets for the 2020 UEFA Super Cup match between FC Bayern München and Sevilla at the brand-new, 68,000-seater Puskás Arena.  

In an open, honest interview, Hanya talks about her experience growing up in Iran and Iraq, how it was to be inside the stadium, her favourite moment from the match and what her hopes are for the future.  

When did you arrive in Hungary and start playing football?

I left Iran when I was four years old and we went to Iraq. I used to have a lot of friends that were male and older than me. They used to play football but not let me join them, because I was small and only five years old. I didn’t have a team there, but I just used to play with my friends in the street.

I moved to Hungary when I was 16 years old and I started playing football for a team as I was obsessed with football.

I have a Hungarian teacher who saw my huge interest in football, and he organised for me to join a team. It really helped me settle as I didn’t know the language and all my team-mates were Hungarian. It was hard, but I really enjoyed myself there. Football is something that makes me feel powerful.

How did you feel attending your first match?

I felt special, but really males and females are equal – there is no reason why females cannot enjoy a football match. There is no difference between me or a guy watching a game.

I was watching with female team-mates and my female coach, but there were some other guys and girls around us and we are all equal. There is nothing wrong with girls being inside a stadium. In fact, one girls’ team sitting near us were really into the game more than the guys!

"It showed me that you don’t have to be a male to enjoy a football match. I really hope that females in Iran and Iraq can watch and play football more freely; right now, females need to be hidden when they play – they cannot even play in a public place which is very sad".

How did it feel going into the stadium for the first time?

I was so excited. I was shaking. It was a little bit scary in the beginning. When I first saw the stadium – it was a little frightening as I saw people sitting from the bottom to the top and the top is so high! I was thinking, ‘Wow, I hope they don’t fall!’ 

We were sitting quite close to the pitch in the corner, so I was also a little afraid thinking that the ball might come to me in the stands and hit me, but luckily it didn’t happen!  

Overall, it was amazing. I always watch matches on television, but this really was another experience to be there and see the match live. Everything seemed so small compared to on television where everything looks so big! I really enjoyed the match a lot.  

Did it feel strange that the stadium wasn’t completely full?

It felt a bit strange, but it still felt like there were a lot of people in the stadium. In the end, it was just perfect. Everything that I wanted to see; I saw. Even seeing all the players – it made me realise they are just people like us!

What was your favourite moment in the match?

There were many things, but one thing that really stays with me and which took my attention was seeing the Sevilla players going over to their fans to thank them, celebrating together at the end of the match, even after they lost.

They were cheering and celebrating, and this was all whilst the Bayern players were celebrating their victory and jumping on the stage.

Based on your experience of attending this match, would you like to go and watch some more live football?

Yes. I would really like to get some tickets for the upcoming match of the Hungarian team, Ferencváros. They are playing in the Champions League against Dinamo Kyiv and Juventus. However, the Hungarian team have a lot of fans, so maybe it won’t be that easy to get tickets. But when there are tickets available, I will be the first person buying, for sure!

Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience?

"Everything was so special to me. I will treasure the memories forever. Seeing the Sevilla players and coaches and staff at the end still celebrating together with their fans was special.

"It showed me that winning doesn’t have to be the focus. When you lose, you don’t have to give up. You can go again! They can still be proud as they played well."

Hanya is a member of the Oltalom sport association in Budapest, which helps youngsters to shape their lives using sport and by providing social benefits such as helping them to find work. Drawings from two young Hungarian boys, Eric and Joci, featured on the official UEFA Super Cup match ball. Eric and Joci are also part of the Oltalom sport association. 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Below are some of the winning entries.

Czech Republic

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

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

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

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

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

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

Netherlands

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

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

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

Portugal

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

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

Spain

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

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

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

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

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

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

Switzerland

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

- Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president

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

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

- Malcolm is a member of Autisme Genève

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

- Sara, member of Brincar de Rua Ludotempo in Portugal

Youngsters meet UEFA Champions League stars virtually before kick-off

Youngsters meet UEFA Champions League stars virtually before kick-off

THE UEFA FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN AND MASTERCARD HAVE BEEN OFFERING YOUNGSTERS SUFFERING FROM LIFE THREATENING ILLNESSES THE CHANCE TO MEET UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE STARS VIRTUALLY AS THEY ENTER THE STADIUM

Player mascots from England, Germany, Italy and Spain are being given the opportunity to meet some of the world's greatest footballers virtually during the UEFA Champions League final tournament. Two youngsters got to interact with the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Ángel Di María before Tuesday's semi-final between Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain, and another virtual meeting will take place in the lead-up to Sunday's final.

The initiative has been set up by UEFA Champions League partner Mastercard in conjunction with the UEFA Foundation for Children, which has selected the children who have been appearing virtually at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in Lisbon.

That unique opportunity was enjoyed by Ruby Wilson and Annika Wein ahead of the last-four contest between Leipzig and Paris, with both youngsters given the chance to welcome and interact with the players as they entered the stadium. Ruby, a football-mad ten-year-old from Sunderland in the northeast of England, is currently undergoing chemotherapy, while 11-year-old Annika Wein is receiving treatment at a cancer clinic in Frankfurt.

"Wow! I will remember this day for the rest of my life! Thank you!" said Ruby upon learning she had been chosen to take part in the activation. "After the doctor only recently told me that I might not play football ever again, this lifted my spirits so much! I will never forget this day."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" said Annika. "I was really looking forward to waving at the players. I love my new football kit too – it's amazing! Thank you again."

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, who is also the chairman of the board of the UEFA Foundation for Children also passed by and interacted with Annika and Ruby.

The two children were chosen by the UEFA Foundation from projects being undertaken in Europe in conjunction with other organisations. Ruby is a member of the Newcastle United Foundation, which offers support to children living with disabilities, while Annika is at the Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, part of the Universitätsklinikum in Frankfurt.

Nicoló from Italy, who devours Panini stickers and sports newspapers with relish, will have the chance to meet the players before the final. He is suffering from severe cognitive impairment and was chosen by the Play for Change initiative, which is based in Milan. He will be joined by Amir who is currently at the Vall d’Hebron hospital in Barcelona, which is being supported by the Eric Abidal Foundation – an organisation which helps children who are living with cancer.

"The UEFA Foundation is delighted to support such a wonderful initiative," said the UEFA Foundation's general secretary, Urs Kluser. "Children in hospital rarely get the chance to be involved in anything like this – it was wonderful to see their huge smiles and happy faces as they welcomed the players to the stadium."

"Thank you to our partners for making this possible – the Newcastle United Foundation and the Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt. Finally, a big thank you to key sponsor Mastercard for supporting the UEFA Champions League for over 25 years. Together, we helped make this once-in-a-lifetime experience a reality for Ruby and Annika."

Mastercard has been a committed partner of the UEFA Champions League for more than a quarter of a century, while its player mascot programme has given children from around the globe priceless memories over the years. However, given the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was forced to come up with a new plan for this year's competition.

"Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have focused on people and thus needed to pivot quickly from physical to digital experiences, to reflect the changing environments we are living in," said Jeannette Liendo, senior vice-president, marketing and communications, Mastercard Europe.

"For the first time ever, at this year’s semi-final our player mascots Ruby and Annika had the chance to interact live with the Paris Saint Germain and RB Leipzig players as they arrived at the stadium. For the UEFA Champions League final, Nicoló and Amir will also enjoy a once in a lifetime experience as they virtually welcome the players from Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain. As we strive to push the limits as a tech innovator, we hope this will create a truly memorable experience for our mascots to celebrate the return of the UEFA Champions League. We are very proud that 2020 will see our first ever digital activation for the player mascots."

 

 

 

The International Trade Centre (ITC), UEFA Foundation for Children and partners launched life-skills curriculum for young people using football as a coaching medium

The International Trade Centre (ITC), UEFA Foundation for Children and partners launched life-skills curriculum for young people in developing countries using football as coaching medium

A new curriculum using football to teach entrepreneurship and employability life-skills to young people in developing countries was launched by the International Trade Centre, the UEFA Foundation for Children, Kick4Life and Streetfootballworld on 12 August 2020.

The curriculum was unveiled at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on to mark International Youth Day by acting ITC Executive Director Dorothy Tembo and Urs Kluser, General-Secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children.

‘Football motivates and enthuses young people in a way that no other sport does,’ Ms. Tembo said. ‘The investments made by the football industry on the economic and social development of young people have great potential for collaboration and action in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This new publication adds to that effort.’

‘The UEFA Foundation for Children is pleased to be a partner in such a valuable, wide reaching project. Young people from a range of developing countries will undoubtedly benefit hugely from learning valuable life skills such as communication, decision making and teamwork all whilst enjoying playing the beautiful round ball game,’ Mr. Kluser said.

The curriculum was developed to support the Kick for Trade initiative, which fosters football-based life-skills to promote social inclusion, employability and entrepreneurship for young people. The initiative was jointly created by ITC’s Youth and Trade Programme and UEFA Foundation in May 2019.

After initial pilot activities in The Gambia and Guinea in 2019, the curriculum was shaped and developed to enable youth to build transferable skills like leadership and teamwork by playing football.

Life-skills that form part of the toolkit include problem-solving, creative thinking, communication and interpersonal skills, self-awareness and empathy, assertiveness and composure, and resilience.

The program is supported by Pascal Feindoune (ex player from St Etienne ex international Guinean player).

 

The curriculum is designed to be delivered by trained life-skills coaches in inclusive environments and centres on 11 sessions each on youth employability and entrepreneurship. Only the basic minimum of equipment is required to deliver the sessions successfully, making the curriculum suitable for many contexts where many young people can benefit.

On-site pilot activities of the Kick for Trade initiative are currently on hold in The Gambia and Guinea due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the curriculum is set to be rolled out in countries that feature ITC youth-related projects with entrepreneurship and employability components once restrictions are lifted.

For more information, visit the official ITC media release here.

 

 

 

Kick for trad Launch
Kick for trade Launch
Kick for trate launch
Kick for trade Toolkit

Call for projects 2020

Call for projects 2020

On 1 July 2020 the UEFA Foundation for Children launched its call for projects which seek to promote children's fundamental rights across the world.

This call for projects is aimed at any organisation that shares the values of the UEFA foundation and proposes practical measures to help children, in the areas of access to sport, health, education, employment, personal development and supporting vulnerable children.
Applications are invited from organisations anywhere in the world. Support is not limited to projects within Europe.

Eligibility criteria

The UEFA Foundation for Children will examine and evaluate each project.

The final decision on the selection of projects will be taken by the board of trustees in accordance with the foundation’s statutes and ethics code.
Specific conditions relating to funding are provided in the project criteria.

Apply now

To submit your project, click here. The application deadline is 15 August 2020.

Candidates will be notified of the progress of their application by the end of 2020.

 

 

 

World Refugee Day: Young refugees meet EURO winner Papadopoulos for UEFA Foundation online chat

Young refugees meet EURO winner Papadopoulos for UEFA Foundation online chat 

A groupe of young refugees from across the world joined Greece's UEFA EURO 2004 champion and former refugee Dimitris Papadopoulos to talk about football and lot more besides - thanks to UEFA Foundation for Children initiative to mark Saturday's World Refugee Day.

The refugees, aged between 12 and 17, represented five partner bodies receiving funding from the UEFA foundation for refugee-related projects. The 26 youngsters joined together for an online video chat, organised by the UEFA Foundation, with Dimitris Papadopoulos – a former refugee and a member of the Greece squad that triumphed at UEFA EURO 2004 in Portugal.

The conversation commemorated this year's World Refugee Day on Saturday, in which events throughout the world will raise awareness of the situation of refugees and highlight the challenges that they face.

The young refugees who took part in the chat came from Kicken Ohne Grenzen, Cross Cultures Project Association, FC Barcelona Foundation, Association Football Development Programme and the Lesvos project with FC Cosmos and Aiolikos. They spoke among themselves and with Papadopoulos about their daily lives, their love of football and their dreams for the future.

Speaking from experience…

Dimitris Papadopoulos was born in Uzbekistan and his family returned to Greece when he was nine. He went on to forge a fine career as a striker which saw him crowned Greek Super League Player of the Year on three occasions. In addition to a much-travelled club career, Papadopoulos won 22 caps for Greece between 2002 and 2014.

He relished the opportunity to pass on his own experiences and answer questions from the youngsters about his life and footballing career.

The youngsters’ view...

Jasma, aged 15 - Kicken ohne Grenzen

“I really liked to talk to Dimitris. His story was very inspiring, because we kind of feel the same. Football can help you forget about problems and have a happy life.”

 Francis, aged 16 - FC Cosmos and FC Aiolikos

“We had the opportunity to talk with other refugees from other projects around the world. It was a great experience, and we would like it to happen again. This event gave me fresh hope and courage for my dreams. Thank you so much.”

Ahmed, aged 13 - AFDP Global

“I enjoyed it a lot, because we talked with other refugee kids from all over the world. We understand all of their dreams, and we were very happy to talk with Dimitris.”

Godfrey, aged 12 – CCPA

“I was very impressed to meet a lot of youngsters from different countries in my first-ever conference meeting on a computer. I understand the importance of football in somebody’s life…especially when [Dimitris] explained how football changed his life.”

UEFA Foundation for Children and refugees

Football has the power to act as a massive social force, and strives to make an enormous contribution to helping people, young and old, to overcome problems and face the future with greater optimism. UEFA has been addressing the plight of refugees for a number of years, putting different measures in place, and using football as a vehicle for change

Through supporting socio-educational and sports projects in Europe and beyond, the UEFA Foundation for Children seeks to help improve the living conditions of refugee children, as well as their dignity and respect for their fundamental rights.

UEFA Foundation for Children general secretary Urs Kluser

"For young refugees, football gives them the chance to cope with a difficult situation and to realise their full potential. Together, with our partner organisations and with everyone who loves football, the sport has a real opportunity to have a positive impact on these young people and the host communities. It is one of the successful ways to help them to get adjusted to a new life."

The UEFA Foundation for Children currently funds 24 refugee projects - 14 in Europe, five in Asia and five in Africa.

This funding helps the partners undertake refugee activities, using sport and football in particular as a vehicle to improve lives and bring smiles to faces.

 

“Having been a refugee myself at an early age, I know first-hand the struggle, the agony, the hardships. For me, it was football that changed my life. It gave me purpose to move on, to become a better man.

Talking to the young refugees, I tried to pass the message that even when times are hard, we are responsible for our choices - and we should never give up on our dreams. We can be what we dream of”.

- Dimitris Papadopoulos, former greek player

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Dimitris Papadopoulos

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Mustafa, 13 years old, from Afghanistan leaving in Lesvos

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Refugee kids from Zaatari camp

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Fatima, 13 years old, from Afghanistan, leaving in Athens

The Arsenal Foundation helping children in Indonesia

The Arsenal Foundation helping children in Indonesia

The UEFA Foundation for Children, alongside The Arsenal Foundation and Save the Children are collaborating on a project that will benefit over 1,000 children in Jakarta and renovate seven football pitches

The UEFA Foundation for Children has teamed up with The Arsenal Foundation and Save the Children to improve the lives of children and in particular girls, in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. Many are forced to try to earn a living from a young age and, as a result, miss out on school education. Unfortunately, some encounter violence and end up in poverty, with little hope of changing their lives around for the better.

Coaching for Life

The Arsenal Foundation, in collaboration with Save the Children, has developed a programme called Coaching for Life. Delivered exclusively through football and on-pitch sessions, the programme incorporates Save the Children’s expertise in child protection and resilience building.

The Coaching for Life programme aims to support girls in Indonesia by building their courage and inner strength through innovative coaching modules to help them stand up for their rights and combat the challenges they face, such as having to work from a young age to provide for their families, and the risks of child marriage and early pregnancy.

Football coaches from Arsenal FC are being brought in to train local coaches and are conducting some sessions with them. Together with the children, they explore topics such as emotions, communicating and decision-making. The programme is also helping to renovate seven football pitches to give the youngsters a safe place to play.

To ensure a long-lasting legacy, the Arsenal coaches are training 35 coaches in Jakarta, and some 1,500 parents and caregivers will also participate in the programme, enhancing their ability to support their children’s well-being.

Essential life skills 

Arsenal’s Leah Williamson has seen first-hand the positive impact that the project has had on girls in Jakarta. The England international defender visited the Indonesian capital in 2019 to deliver a masterclass for girls involved in the pioneering football coaching programme.

“The young girls in Jakarta inspired me and have made me incredibly proud to be a woman and a role model to young girls,” she said.  “I have been at Arsenal since I was nine and have always known about our place and role in our community. It’s in our DNA. We all understand it’s a privilege to use the power of the club to do good. When you apply it in a really special way, it can be used to achieve brilliant things – develop confidence, resilience and essential skills for life.

“Whether you’re growing up in London, Jordan or Jakarta, football has the power to bring people together and offer a lifeline. It was amazing to see how Coaching for Life has been built in partnership with Save the Children to create something so special to inspire the girls I met.”

Football is a powerful tool  

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin chairs the foundation’s board of trustees and hails the work undertaken since 2015, and how football is proving to be a major force for social good.

“Having had the opportunity to be personally involved in various projects, I have seen that football is an extremely powerful tool,” said the UEFA president.

“Whether it is in refugee camps across the world, the troubled suburbs of European cities or forgotten conflict zones, all the activities supported by the UEFA Foundation for Children have strengthened my desire to see European football assume its role in the social development of young people all over the world.”

The young girls in Jakarta inspired me and have made me incredibly proud to be a woman and a role model to young girls. I have been at Arsenal since I was nine and have always known about our place and role in our community. It’s in our DNA. We all understand it’s a privilege to use the power of the club to do good. When you apply it in a really special way, it can be used to achieve brilliant things – develop confidence, resilience and essential skills for life.

Whether you’re growing up in London, Jordan or Jakarta, football has the power to bring people together and offer a lifeline. It was amazing to see how Coaching for Life has been built in partnership with Save the Children to create something so special to inspire the girls I met.

- Leah Williams, Arsenal player and international defender

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The Arsenal Foundation

Project partner

The Arsenal Foundation uses the power of football and the Arsenal name to inspire and support young people in north London and across the globe.

Making children’s football dreams come true

Making children’s football dreams come true

The disruption of latest football season by the Covid-19 pandemic will not be easily forgotten. However, we should also remember the dreams that came true for seriously ill children thanks to the UEFA foundation.

During the 2019/20 season, the UEFA Foundation for Children was once again able to count on the support of UEFA volunteers, known as wish-makers. This season 12 wish-makers dedicated their time and energy to fulfilling the dreams of 19 children. Through collaboration with various associations, including Étoile Filante, Association Rêves, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Eric Abidal Foundation, the UEFA Foundation was able to give seriously ill children the opportunity to attend a UEFA football match. The children also met their favourite football team or player. This unforgettable experience gave children who are physically unable to participate in football a chance to enjoy it as a spectator.

Despite the ongoing global pandemic, the UEFA foundation is still working hard to make children’s dreams come true. Indeed, UEFA Foundation’s Dreaming Football campaign encourages people to share their football dreams for after the pandemic. As part of this campaign, Aleksander Čeferin said that he wanted to keep using football to do good and put a smile on children’s faces.

We can’t wait!

 

My football dream is to keep using football to do good and put a smile on children’s faces.

- Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president

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None of this would have been possible without the generous support of the national associations.

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2020 UEFA Foundation for Children Awards

2020 UEFA Foundation for Children Awards

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

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

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

2020 UEFA Foundation for Children awards

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

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

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

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

 

Youth Sports Games

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

 

Call for projects 2020

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

 

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

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

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H&M teams up with the UEFA Foundation for Children to support humanitarian projects

UEFA Foundation for Children teams up with H&M to support humanitarian projects

Hennes & Mauritz GBC - H&M has announced a special football shirt collection for kids, with 100% of the profits going to the UEFA Foundation for Children. The collection features replica football shirts from 16 countries around the world and will be available in stores and on hm.com from 21 May.

The intent is to encourage children to stay active and take an interest in the global aspect of football, with a view to meaningfully contributing to their development. All proceeds from the selling will go towards the existing projects run by Play for Change, an international sport for development charity that offers sporting opportunities to under-privileged children.

Sofia Löfstedt, Head of Kidswear Design at H&M, said, “We want children to stay active wherever they have the possibility these days – if only at home or in their own backyard, or perhaps in school – but also give them hope for a brighter and even more dynamic future. With this football shirt collection, our aim is to not only inspire children all around the world right now, but also ensure the wellbeing of children for generations to come by donating 100% of the profits to the UEFA Foundation for Children.”

Urs Kluser, general secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children, added, “Sport and play are vital for the physical and intellectual development of any child. When children play football, they get lost in the game. Football enables them to be children and dream big. This significant support from H&M will allow us to assist even more children in need and make a positive impact on their futures.”

Sport and play are vital for the physical and intellectual development of any child. When children play football, they get lost in the game. Football enables them to be children and dream big. This significant support from H&M will allow us to assist even more children in need and make a positive impact on their futures.

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

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Project partner

Project Partner

Play for Change is an International Sport for Development Charity   with the goal to enhance life opportunities for under-privileged children by using the powerful values of sport.