Associated partnerships

UEFA's social responsibility portfolio includes several limited-term, associated partnerships:

CAFE – Centre for Access to Football in Europe – There are more than 50 million disabled people living in Europe and many are naturally football fans. As such, CAFE is working with UEFA and its partners to ensure that many more disabled supporters can attend live matches in the future. CAFE worked alongside UEFA and the host cities for UEFA EURO 2012 and the latest UEFA Champions League finals, advising on improved facilities and services. Significant improvements have included:

• additional wheelchair user spaces and easy access seating for disabled supporters
• audio descriptive commentaries for partially sighted and blind supporters
• accessible (disabled) toilets and refreshment areas
• disabled supporter liaison officers at each match
• accessible (disabled) transport and taxi drop-off point
• the new UEFA and CAFE Good Practice Guide to Creating an Accessible Stadium and Matchday Experience - Access For All

see: http://www.cafefootball.eu/

Homeless World Cup  – integration of marginalised groups
The Homeless World Cup is a network of over 70 international partner organisations that use football to improve the lives of homeless people throughout the world. These international football programmes work to improve the lives of over 100,000 homeless and socially disadvantaged people every year.

An annual international football tournament is held to promote the work of the partners and provide a life changing experience for homeless players who are selected to represent their individual countries. These players in turn act as ambassadors for other homeless players in each country.

The 2012 tournament was held in Mexico City where 56 nations and 500 homeless players competed and were watched live by 168,000 spectators and a further 300,000 online. A key feature of each tournament is a focus on interaction with and changing the perceptions of the general public and governments about homeless people and homelessness.

WWF – environment
Founded in 1961, WWF is the world's leading conservation organisation working in over 100 countries to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

• UEFA sponsored WWF’s Panda Ball gala dinner in Monaco in 2008, where funds were raised for WWF's conservation activities focusing on Europe’s biodiversity.

• For the past four years, UEFA has backed and actively participated in WWF’s Earth Hour, the biggest environmental awareness campaign ever. More than 7,000 cities and towns in 152 countries and territories switched off their lights for Earth Hour 2012, sending a powerful message for action to save the planet.

• UEFA and its carbon compensation:
UEFA's major source of greenhouse gas emissions is air travel – its carbon footprint from flights in 2007 was 20,617.811 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e). This is comparable to approximately 2,850,000,000 footballs filled with carbon dioxide. On 1 July 2009, it began a one-year emissions reduction trial, consisting primarily of purchasing internationally recognised renewable energy carbon credits.

International Platform for Sport and Development – www.sportanddevelopment.org 

Since its creation in 2003 by the Swiss Academy for Development (SAD), the International Platform on Sport and Development – sportanddev.org - has grown from being an information portal on sport and development, to the central information resource and communication service contributing to concrete action in the sport and development field through a global community.
 
UEFA supports sportanddev.org, because it serves as a leading online resource for all involved in sport and development, providing access to detailed information about existing projects and activities, and fostering dialogue. The questions addressed on the Platform include the focal points of UEFA's football and social responsibility programme:
• Combating racism, xenophobia, homophobia and violence
• Promoting reconciliation, peace and football for people with disabilities
• Addressing health issues and humanitarian aid.