The UEFA Foundation for Children is an independent charitable organization established by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to improve the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable children through football and sport. Since its launch in 2015, the foundation has funded hundreds of projects worldwide that promote children’s rights, education, health, inclusion, gender equality, and social development. Working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), charities, UN agencies, and community organizations, the foundation demonstrates how sport can serve as a powerful tool for positive social change. While its primary focus is humanitarian and social development rather than basic research funding, the UEFA Foundation for Children has become one of the world’s leading philanthropic foundations supporting child-focused initiatives through strategic research-informed grants and partnerships.
History and Background
Establishment of the UEFA Foundation for Children
The UEFA Foundation for Children was officially launched on 24 April 2015 on the initiative of then UEFA President Michel Platini. It was created as an independent charitable foundation to strengthen UEFA’s social responsibility by using football to improve children’s lives worldwide. Since its establishment, the foundation has worked to protect children’s rights and expand opportunities for vulnerable young people regardless of nationality, gender, disability, or social background.
Growth and Global Reach
Over the past decade, the foundation has significantly expanded its international footprint. It supports projects across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, working with organizations that use sport to address educational, health, humanitarian, and social challenges. Since its creation, millions of children have benefited from initiatives funded through the foundation’s annual grant programmes and partnerships.
Mission and Purpose
Using Football as a Force for Good
The mission of the UEFA Foundation for Children is to safeguard children’s rights and improve their well-being by harnessing the power of football and sport. Every child should have access to opportunities that promote healthy development, education, inclusion, protection, and hope for a better future.
Core Objectives
The foundation supports projects that advance:
- Access to sport
- Education and lifelong learning
- Personal development
- Healthy lifestyles
- Protection of children’s rights
- Gender equality
- Inclusion of children with disabilities
- Support for conflict-affected children
- Environmental awareness
- Employability and life skills
- Community partnerships and social cohesion
Its programmes align closely with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Governance and Structure
Independent Charitable Foundation
Although established by UEFA, the UEFA Foundation for Children operates as an independent charitable organization with its own statutes and governance framework. It is not an enterprise foundation owned by a commercial company but an independent philanthropic entity created to deliver social impact through sport.
Board of Trustees
The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for:
- Setting strategic priorities
- Approving grant awards
- Ensuring ethical governance
- Monitoring financial management
- Overseeing programme implementation
The Board is chaired by Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA President, while the foundation’s management oversees day-to-day operations and partnerships.
Partnerships
The foundation collaborates with:
- International NGOs
- National charities
- UN agencies
- Community organizations
- Football associations
- Educational institutions
- Humanitarian organizations
These partnerships allow the foundation to reach children in both stable communities and humanitarian crisis settings.
Funding and Grants
Annual Call for Projects
One of the foundation’s principal funding mechanisms is its annual Call for Projects, which invites organizations worldwide to submit proposals that improve children’s lives through sport and education. Applications are evaluated against the foundation’s strategic priorities, ethical standards, sustainability, and expected social impact before final approval by the Board of Trustees.
Eligible Applicants
The foundation welcomes applications from:
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Registered charities
- Non-profit organizations
- International organizations
- UN agencies
- Educational and community institutions
Support is available for projects both within and outside Europe.
Funding Priorities
Projects should focus on one or more of the following areas:
- Access to sport
- Education
- Health and healthy lifestyles
- Personal development
- Child protection
- Children with disabilities
- Conflict and refugee support
- Gender equality
- Environmental protection
- Employability
- Infrastructure and sports equipment
- Partnership development
The foundation generally supports project-based funding rather than unrestricted operational grants.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Access to Sport
The foundation supports initiatives that remove barriers preventing disadvantaged children from participating in football and other sports. These programmes create safe spaces where children can develop confidence, teamwork, leadership, and physical well-being.
Education and Personal Development
Many funded projects combine football with education, helping children remain in school, improve literacy, develop life skills, and build self-esteem while promoting values such as respect, inclusion, and teamwork.
Children with Disabilities
The UEFA Foundation funds programmes that promote inclusive sport and improve access for children with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, ensuring equal opportunities for participation.
Humanitarian and Refugee Support
The foundation works with organizations supporting refugee children and those affected by conflict, natural disasters, and humanitarian emergencies. Football is used to promote psychosocial support, resilience, inclusion, and community integration.
Gender Equality
Projects encourage girls’ participation in football while promoting gender equality, leadership opportunities, and social inclusion in communities where girls often face barriers to sport and education.
Environmental Protection
More recent initiatives also integrate environmental education into sport programmes, encouraging sustainable practices and environmental awareness among young participants.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Worldwide Grant-Making
The UEFA Foundation for Children has supported hundreds of projects across more than 80 countries. In 2024 alone, it distributed €5 million to 72 projects focused on improving children’s lives through sport, education, inclusion, and humanitarian assistance.
Areas of Impact
Funded initiatives have delivered measurable outcomes by:
- Expanding access to education
- Improving children’s physical and mental health
- Promoting social inclusion
- Supporting children with disabilities
- Assisting refugee and displaced children
- Strengthening child protection
- Empowering girls through sport
- Developing life skills and employability
- Building community sports infrastructure
Projects supported by the foundation operate in collaboration with experienced local organizations, ensuring culturally appropriate and sustainable solutions. (UEFA Foundation)
Celebrating a Decade of Impact
In 2025, the foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking ten years of using football as a vehicle for solidarity, inclusion, and children’s rights. To commemorate the milestone, UEFA and its member national associations launched additional initiatives supporting disadvantaged children through football-based community projects. (UEFA Foundation)
Conclusion
The UEFA Foundation for Children has established itself as one of the world’s leading sport-for-development philanthropic organizations. By combining football with education, health, inclusion, and humanitarian action, the foundation helps vulnerable children overcome barriers and realize their full potential. Through its annual research-informed grant programmes, strategic partnerships, and commitment to children’s rights, it continues to support innovative projects that create lasting social impact across the globe.
Although it is not a provider of basic research funding or an enterprise foundation with corporate ownership, the UEFA Foundation for Children demonstrates how philanthropic activities, targeted research grants, and sport-based development programmes can improve lives and strengthen communities worldwide.
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