Inspiring UEFA's national associations to invest in social responsibility

Social responsibility in football was the focus of a two-day UEFA workshop in Nyon funded by UEFA's HatTrick assistance programme and attended by representatives of 53 European national associations.

The purpose of the workshop was threefold: first, to create a common understanding of the concept of social responsibility, what it means and how it applies to football; second, to review the HatTrick IV regulations and to explain the application process for obtaining incentive funding for social responsibility projects; and third, to inspire associations to develop a social responsibility strategy through the sharing of experience and good practice.

The HatTrick IV cycle will run from 2016 to 2020, with a total of €10.8m drawn from UEFA EURO 2016 being made available for funding. Examples of good practice, all connected to football, were presented by experts in the field, such as NGO representatives, academics and consultants, in conjunction with member associations. Topics included the tackling of discrimination, access to football, stakeholder engagement, employment through football, the refugee crisis, colour blindness and smoking-related issues.

Professor Thomas Beschorner, director of the Institute for Business Ethics at the University of St Gallen, defined the concept of social responsibility in his keynote opening statement. He concluded that "the creation of a culture of responsibility is absolutely fundamental, as well as strong political support from the top of the organisation, alongside having a clear vision, values and a strategy supported by sufficient human resources and funding."

For more information about the UEFA HatTrick programme, please click here.