UEFA's successful HatTrick scheme continues to have a positive impact on football - with the support being given to the European national associations further bolstering the game's roots across the continent.

UEFA is responsible for developing football, promoting the grassroots game and lending its backing to the European football family. One of its innovative assistance schemes is the HatTrick programme on behalf of its 53 member associations. Fostered under UEFA's belief that revenue from major competitions should be put back into the sport, the HatTrick project was launched at the end of 2003 and funded by revenue from UEFA EURO 2004™ in Portugal. As a result of that tournament's success, the original HatTrick budget of just over CHF400m (€250m) has since been increased to almost CHF500m.

The HatTrick programme has an impressive series of pillars - financial assistance (involving a one-off contribution of up to CHF2.5m to each association) and annual solidarity payments of more than CHF1m. Secondly, a four-year investment plan means that associations can request financial assistance to improve infrastructures in areas such as stadium construction, training centre construction/renovation, association HQs and grassroots/social projects.

Each association can also receive up to CHF1.37m annually as a solidarity payment, from which more than half can be used for running costs, while the rest is related to the club licensing scheme and participation in non-top UEFA competitions at, for example, Under-21 or U19 level. In 2004, UEFA launched a mini-pitch project to celebrate the body's Golden Jubilee. It funded one prototype pitch in each association, and every UEFA member received up to CHF1m to build as many mini-pitches as possible - creating an opportunity for people of all ages to play football in a safe environment.

Another essential pillar of the HatTrick activities is the KISS (Knowledge and Information-Sharing Scenario) education project, to help associations react effectively to social and economic changes with football. KISS aims to bring even more professionalism to the associations in a number of key areas such as television and internet rights, promoting events, media work, security and ticketing. Click here to read more about KISS and its activities.

The HatTrick scheme will continue for the 2008-12 period, funded by UEFA EURO 2008™ revenue, with the level of UEFA funding increased by more than 50 per cent compared with the present budget. A single investment programme will see each association receive a maximum €2.5m, of which 20 per cent must fund social and grassroots projects. The educational aspect is considered crucial, and the range of courses and workshops will be extended. Solidarity payments will be enhanced, grants will be issued for club licensing success and competition participation, and further financial incentives will be forthcoming for associations targeted at raising their technical and managerial expertise. UEFA's motto - We care about football - has never been so appropriate as for this impressive programme.