UEFA Foundation focus on year's achievements

Since its birth in 2015, the UEFA Foundation for Children has been making a considerable difference in helping to bring smiles to thousands of children’s faces, and giving them the opportunity to realise dreams and look forward to tomorrow with hope.

The most recent work of the foundation – both in Europe and worldwide – as a body which cares for children’s well-being and protects their rights, primarily through football and other sports, is reflected in the UEFA Foundation for Children activity report for 2016/17.

The report shows in facts, figures, photos and graphics how more than 700,000 children benefitted from actions supported by the foundation through some 82 projects in 66 countries. It explains how support was increased for refugee children in Europe and the Middle East, with particular emphasis on using football as a vehicle for joy and motivation.

Twelve new projects were launched in Europe and across the globe to support disadvantaged children, reinforcing the foundation’s work on this continent and elsewhere.

Ties with Europe’s 55 member associations were also strengthened. The foundation invited the associations to select the nominees for the 2017 UEFA Foundation fior Children Award – as a result, 20 charitable bodies working together with national associations were selected as co-recipients of the award.

“We owe our success to the unwavering support of our partners,” said José Manuel Durão Barroso, who retired recently as chairman of the foundation’s board of trustees. “First and foremost UEFA, but also our private partners.”

“I would like to thank all of our volunteers, partners and everyone else who has helped us to further develop our activities,” he added.

“The UEFA Foundation for Children is fully committed to improving the lives of children living in difficult circumstances and will continue to pursue and promote even greater solidarity, and endeavour to support even more projects in 2018.”