UEFA Foundation honours partners helping children thrive through football

The Board of Trustees of the UEFA Foundation for Children has selected 29 organisations from across Europe as winners of the 2026 UEFA Foundation for Children Award, recognising their outstanding work using football to improve the lives of vulnerable children.

The decision was taken at a board meeting held in Leipzig, ahead of the UEFA Conference League final, following recommendations from UEFA member associations. These organisations were selected for their innovative and impactful use of football to address social challenges in areas such as health, inclusion, education, and child protection.

"For many children, a football pitch is more than a place to play. It is the place where they feel safe, accepted, accomplished and part of something bigger than themselves. The organisations we recognised here today understand that very well, and through their dedication, football becomes a language of care, trust and possibility - helping children not only to dream, but to believe that those dreams may come true", said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, who chaired the meeting.

The total available funding of €1 million will be divided equally among the winners, with each receiving a grant of €34,482.75.

List of winners by country:

• Andorra – Andorran Red Cross
• Azerbaijan – Regional Development Public Union
• Bulgaria – Bulgari Foundation
• Croatia – Society of People with Physical Disabilities of Southern Istria
• Czechia– Mongaguá team
• Denmark – BROEN Danmark
• England – Football Beyond Borders
• Estonia – MTÜ SPIN
• Finland – Walter ry
• France – Bien Jouer
• Germany – Nordstadtliga Dortmund
• Hungary – Debreceni Sportcentrum
• Ireland – Jigsaw
• Italy – Kodokan Napoli APS
• Kosovo – Shoqata Sportive Futsall Tournament Prishtina / Turneu i Futsallit Prishtina
• Lithuania – Lithuanian grassroots football association
• Luxembourg – Kanner Stëmm
• Netherlands – Together Advancing Common Trust
• North Macedonia – Karposhovo 1689 BB Football Club
• Northern Ireland – Irish FA Foundation
• Norway – Advisory foundation in support of Football for the Goals
• Poland – Trenuj Bycie Dobrym
• Portugal – Social Innovation Sports
• Romania – Neuroatypical Foundation
• Scotland – Scottish Professional Football League Trust
• Slovakia –Slovak Football Association Foundation
• Spain –Albihar Fundación
• Sweden – The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund
• Switzerland - Kinderschutz Schweiz

Next call for projects

The UEFA Foundation for Children will continue expanding its global reach through partnerships that harness football as a catalyst for positive change. Its annual call for projects will take place from 29 June to 3 August 2026. Applicants from all over the world are invited to submit their projects on our website, where all the necessary information and the selection criteria will be published. The board of trustees will decide on projects and announce its decision following its next meeting in November.

Sillman joins Board of Trustees

The UEFA Foundation for Children is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Sillman to its Board of Trustees.

Sillman is the CEO of Relevent Sports Group, a sports media and events company active in international football. Relevent has worked with major football organisations and competitions, including UEFA and La Liga, across media rights and event delivery. Through his work in sport, Sillman has also supported initiatives that reflect the foundation’s broader interest in football’s positive social impact.

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