Discover our child & youth protection platform

Children and youth are at the heart of football. Child protection in football can only be truly successful if everyone takes action and actively considers the well-being and safety of children and young people. This includes coaches, parents, staff and volunteers, and the wider community, all working together to create an environment where children can thrive.

Child and youth protection is an integral part of UEFA’s Football Sustainability Strategy 2030. Under this policy, UEFA focuses on protecting the rights of children and youth playing football, preventing and responding to any form of harm.

To support our mission, we have revamped a range of learning resources and practical guidelines that anyone working with children and young people across the football pyramid can use – from administrators to grassroots coaches.

All the materials are fully aligned with international standards and are needs-based, drawing on input from across Europe’s growing community of people dedicated to ensuring a safe space for the young to get involved in the game.

The resources include:

• Online courses, available in multiple European languages, set common standards and boost capacity.
• Event guidelines provide best practice guidance for organisers on how to safeguard children and young people.
• Our toolkit offers useful information on a range of child and youth protection topics, such as communication and policy development.
• Under the section Our support, you will find a library of case studies, strategies and policies created by sports and non-governmental organisations.

We invite everyone to tap into the wealth of resources, experiences and expertise the football community has to offer to foster a secure and empowering space for children and young people especially. By working together, we can ensure that football remains a beacon of hope, unity and positive development for future generations.

For any questions, please contact childsafeguarding@uefa.ch