UEFA awards reward associations

A cornerstone of UEFA's work is its relationship with its 53 member national associations – and European football's governing body is to give the associations even more recognition by introducing the UEFA HatTrick awards.

In addition, associations are being recognised for outstanding marketing projects through the KISS Marketing awards, bestowed under the auspices of UEFA's Knowledge & Information Sharing Scenario (KISS) – the programme in which FAs exchange expertise for the overall improvement of European football.

Since 2003, UEFA's HatTrick programme has given invaluable assistance to national associations across the continent in sporting, administrative and infrastructure terms. The premise is to direct revenue generated by UEFA's major competitions back into the sport, and encourage national associations to upgrade their facilities and develop the game on and off the field of play.

The UEFA HatTrick awards will be presented annually and are open to all of the 53 UEFA member associations. Five award areas have been drawn up: Best Investment Project; Best Social Project; Best Grassroots Project; Best Women's Football Development project; and Best Special Project.

Each association is entitled to enter one project from one of the five categories every year, and projects should fulfil given criteria to be eligible. These include mid to long-term legacy, impact of football's development in the country and impact on specific social target groups. The associations have until 15 October this year to submit entries for the inaugural UEFA HatTrick awards.

The UEFA HatTrick Committee will review all of the entries and vote for the best entry in each category. UEFA is confident that the HatTrick awards will further encourage the member associations to launch projects for the overall well-being of the European game.

Following the success of the first edition of the KISS marketing awards last year, the 2012 edition will include five award categories – directly linked to the topics discussed during KISS workshops: Best Digital Marketing Campaign; Best Fan Experiential Promotion; Best Sponsorship Activation; Best Brand Strategy and Implementation; Best Women's/Girls' Marketing Campaign.

UEFA's aim here is to celebrate excellence in an essential area of football, given that marketing can bring an identity to a national team, club or fan base.

Entries for the KISS marketing awards must reach UEFA by 14 September 2012.