22nd EFDN #MoreThanFootball Conference in Leuven Coming Up!

11 September 2024

22nd EFDN #MoreThanFootball Conference in Leuven Coming Up!

The European Football for Development Network (EFDN) will host its 22nd #MoreThanFootball EFDN Conference on the 20th of November 2024 in Leuven, Belgium. The Event will take place at the King Power Stadium at Den Dreef, the home of EFDN Member OH Leuven.

This event follows the successful 21st EFDN Conference held in Warsaw, Poland, in April 2024, hosted by EFDN Member Fundacja Legia Warszawa. The EFDN Conferences continue to provide a vital platform for CSR & ESG (environmental, social, and governance) experts and newcomers to exchange insights on various key topics, such as fundraising, environmental sustainability, anti-discrimination, social inclusion, online safeguarding, physical activity across age groups, and STEM education. The conference will feature panels, breakout sessions, and presentations, encouraging valuable networking and collaboration among EFDN members and ESG professionals within the football community.

This 22nd EFDN Conference also will handover the More Than Football Award to the most innovative CSR/ESG programme in European Football, demonstrating football’s significant impact on social, governance, economic, and environmental objectives. Attendees will explore impactful projects, engage in substantive discussions, and participate in strategic networking opportunities tailored for a global ESG-focused audience. This Network Meeting will empower football organisations to implement innovative #MoreThanFootball initiatives within their communities, thereby contributing to broader sustainability goals. The full programme for the event will be announced soon.

This edition of the EFDN Conference presents a unique opportunity to connect with fellow EFDN members, football clubs, leagues, associations, and other football-related organisations while gaining new knowledge about ESG strategies in European football. Key topics at this conference will include social inclusion and disability, mental health, and themes like fundraising, sustainability, racism, and gender inequality. These critical issues will be discussed and explained by experts in line with EFDN’s motto of “Making Football Matter.”

Join us in Leuven to explore how football can be a powerful force for positive change and sustainable development in our communities.

PROGRAMME OF THE DAYWednesday, November 20th, King Power at Den Dreef Stadium, Leuven, Belgium 

09:00 am Doors Opening

09.30 am General Assembly (only for EFDN Members) 

10.30 am Official Opening of the Day by EFDN Chair Ton Strooband & OH Leuven 

10.45 am All-in & Win Panel

11.30 am Shaping the Future of the new EFDN workshops

12.30 pm Lunch break

1.15 pm MoreThanFootball Award 2024 Shortlisted Clubs Presentations
1.15 pm Aberdeen FC Community Trust
1.30 pm Bristol City Robins Foundation
1.45 pm Foundation 92 of Salford City FC
2.00 pm Waterford FC

2.15 pm Breakout Session 1

To Be Announced

3.00 pm Networking Coffee Break

3.30 pm Reporting Session New EFDN Workshops

4.00 pm Breakout Session 2

To Be Announced

4.45 pm Announcement Winner More Than Football Award 2024 powered by Musco Lighting

Nominees: Aberdeen FC Community Trust, Waterford Football Club, Foundation 92 of Salford City FC and Bristol City Robins Foundation

05.00 pm Closure EFDN Network Meeting 

07.00 pm Networking Dinner in city centre (Venue to be announced, at own costs)

Projects

Aalborg Boldspilklub  af 1885- Connecting North Jutland

The Aalborg Boldspilklub af 1885 (AaB af 1885) initiatives focus on leveraging the power of football to create a positive ...

DFB – Football United Against Racism

The German Football Association (DFB) is the association of the 21 national associations, 5 regional associations and the league association ...