FARE Action Week looms

The Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) Action Week – supported by UEFA - is the focus of European football's symbolic stand against racism and discrimination. This year's activities are taking place between 17 and 30 October.

Raising awareness
Every corner of the continent is touched by the message. From the big footballing nations in the West, across the vibrant fan cultures of the South, to the traditional powerhouses of Eastern and Central Europe. Activities are designed to raise awareness of the issue and underline football's determination to tackle the problem. Initiatives are led by campaigning NGOs, fan groups, clubs, national associations, ethnic minorities, and youth groups and school groups. In all, more than 2,000 activities will take place in 37 European countries.

FARE and UEFA
UEFA has been working with the network for the past five years, funding anti-racism initiatives at UEFA EURO 2004™ and the forthcoming UEFA EURO 2008™, and supporting grassroots activities across the continent. As a core Football and Social Responsibility (FSR) partner of UEFA, the relationship demonstrates the determination of European football's governing body to do all it can to tackle discrimination and celebrate diversity across the game.

Fan choreographies
In Spain, France and Italy, 'ultra' groups will organise stunning visual demonstrations inside stadiums to show their opposition to a problem that remains in the news. In Germany, Austria and England, fan projects and supporter groups will be involved in displays and joint activities with ethnic minority groups around stadiums. Banners, card displays and new chants will reflect the ingenuity of European fan cultures in sending out social messages.

Central and Eastern Europe
FARE has a number of specific projects ongoing in countries such as Poland, Slovakia, the Balkans, Hungary and Rumania. They will be joined by groups in Slovenia, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus with activities as part of the week of action that send out an inclusive message.

Minority groups
A key focus of the week is to engage ethnic minority groups, whatever their involvement in the game. In England and Wales, 'One Game, One Community' is the joint message from community groups and the football family that will be echoed out across the country from young people in inner city areas to the executive seats at the biggest stadiums.

FARE support
To support the running of activities, FARE is offering €50,000 to small-scale groups, which can be used as they wish. This amount of cash is being shared equally across the continent and is throwing up many creative ideas. For further details on the FARE Action Week and a list of activities, refer to www.farenet.org (click here). Information is available in English, German, Italian and French.

The FARE network
The Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network was formed in 1999 by fan groups and NGOs concerned at the rising tide of racism and far-right groups in European football. Today, the network has active partners in almost 40 countries and is working across the game with players, community groups, fans and governing bodies. By supporting and nurturing small groups and combining the voices of ordinary fans, FARE acts as an umbrella organisation for those challenging racism and discrimination throughout Europe.

Key activities
Key activities include the Mondiali Antirazzisti (Anti-Racism World Cup) in Italy every July, grassroots activities by fans and ethnic minority and migrant associations, and lobbying for change by those running the game. The network has been recognised with awards from UEFA, MTV and the European Monitoring Centre Against Racism, but the most important part of its work is reaching out to regular fans.

For more information, check out the multilingual website (English, German, French, Italian) at www.FAREnet.org.