European Football Week starts today!

European Football Week starts today!

From 20 to 29 May, over 35,000 participants across 45 countries will take part in football events to mark next edition of the European Football Week #EFW2022, supported by UEFA.

EFDN’s partner Special Olympics Europe Eurasia started today the European Football Week (EFW) marking its milestone 22^nd anniversary this year. The European Football Week promotes how athletes with intellectual disabilities across Europe are getting back on the pitch after two years away from the beautiful game.

This year, we are calling on for National Football Associations and football clubs to get behind European Football Week (EFW) by promoting the campaign online using our hashtag #EFW2022.

A Safe Environment—On and Off the Pitch for Children and Youth in Europe

Considering the challenging context of the past two years, the focus is on getting children and youth with intellectual disabilities safely back onto the pitch and widely promoting grassroots football events in a healthy environment.

Coaches will be involved in training sessions with a focus on nurturing a safe, respectful and healthy environment before, during, and after all Special Olympics activities.

EFDN organised last November the first edition of the Special Champions League tournament in Breda. The EFDN Special Champions League is a new project of EFDN that will provide a safe, inclusive, and active environment where young people between 10 and 18 years old with an intellectual disabilities can come together and play football at a level, they are all comfortable with. Soon there will be more news regarding the Special Champions League! Find here the video of the 2021 edition.

Special Olympics Europe Eurasia and will continue cooperation with partners,iCoachKids, Lions Club and UEFA.

UEFA Respect has been our partner for European Football Week for 22 years! Together with national football federations and football clubs, we have organised more than 7,300 grassroots football activities. Each of these events has played its part in positively changing attitudes towards players with intellectual disabilities and expanding inclusive football opportunities for all across Europe.