EFDN Celebrates Partnership With UEFA Foundation For Children

EFDN Celebrates Partnership With UEFA Foundation For Children

The European Football for Development Network (EFDN) has had a strategic partnership with the UEFA Foundation for Children since its formation in 2014. The interrelated goals and purposes continue to make this an enriching union that benefits millions across Europe through the beautiful game of football.

Europe’s football governing body, UEFA, has been supporting initiatives and programmes that help children in difficult circumstances, working with numerous different partners to develop projects across Europe and beyond. The independent foundation was established to step up these activities and target them appropriately, by using sport to support humanitarian projects linked to children’s rights in areas such as health, education and integration. The foundation aims to help children and safeguard their rights. Sport, and football in particular, can provide support in the areas of health and children’s education, as well as promoting access to sporting activity, facilitating children’s personal development and fostering the integration of minorities.

EFDN consists of professional football clubs, leagues and FAs committed to their communities and social responsibilities and have the passion to cooperate and engage on a European level. Using the power of football as a tool for social development, it supports the efforts of members to reach various groups in their communities. The two organisations are currently collaborating on a variety of initiatives. We highlight some below:

#Morethanfootball Action Weeks – are a global campaign for the European football community to showcase the impact of their community and social responsibility activities and programmes. With support from the UEFA Foundation for Children and other partners, it provides the wider European football family with a platform to inform and engage with fans and stakeholders on their Community and Social Responsibility activities and raise awareness of the transformative role European club football plays in changing peoples’ lives for the better.

Scoring for Health – the programme aims to tackle the problem of childhood obesity which, as identified by the World Health Organization, is still a critical issue throughout Europe today. With the underlying target of promoting a healthy diet and lifestyle amongst children, their families and wider communities across Europe, the programme encourages children from 7 to 14 years and their parents to adopt a healthy lifestyle and make them aware of healthy nutrition. 

Welcome Through Football – uses a methodology that fosters the social inclusion and employability of young newly arrived immigrants and refugees. Activities promote the quality of youth work, the intercultural dialogue and strengthen knowledge and acceptance of diversity in society. Moreover, the project assists football coaches and youth workers in the development and sharing of effective methods in reaching out to the marginalised target group, in preventing racism and intolerance.