How national associations are driving collective action and embedding sustainability at their core
Friday, April 10, 2026
Article summary
Europe’s national football associations are upgrading their sustainability commitments by making social impact, respect for the environment and responsible management core strategic priorities.
Article top media content
Article body
Adapting the UEFA sustainability strategy to their own context, associations are focusing on accessibility improvements, child and youth protection, equality, diversity and inclusion as well as circular economy practices and other initiatives to run football operations in a more sustainable way, helping to reshape how sustainability is understood, implemented and measured within a football context.
Recent sustainability workshops have united associations with professional clubs and leagues, as well as UEFA and EFC, sparking new ideas, collective action and concrete commitments.
With further workshops planned in Belgium, England, Greece, Portugal and Spain, even more initiatives, networks and practical tools are set to emerge, helping associations turn sustainability from ambition into everyday practice throughout their football ecosystems. Below, we highlight some of the programmes already making a difference across Europe.
Wales: embedding sustainability into every event
For the Football Association of Wales (FAW), sustainability work began with a strong focus on social impact, particularly accessibility. Audio descriptive commentary, sensory rooms and more inclusive matchday environments are now standard at major fixtures.
More recently, the FAW has expanded its focus to environmental sustainability, using UEFA guidelines to shape how domestic finals and international matches are delivered. The same approach is now being applied to the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, which Wales will host later this year.
Sustainability guidelines are increasingly written into the FAW’s internal operations; a sustainable sourcing code has been introduced and circular economy projects, such as the repurposing of materials, are becoming a regular practice.
“Our matchday and tournament-specific sustainability strategies aligned to UEFA guidelines have helped the FAW embed environmental and social principles directly into event planning and operational delivery,” said Jason Webber, FAW senior equality, diversity, inclusion and sustainability manager.
“This has strengthened internal governance, improved accountability and created more consistent approaches across Cymru fixtures and tournaments we have both participated in or hosted, while also building greater awareness and capability across the wider Welsh football community.”
Italy: a new match format built on sustainability
The Italian Football Association's (FIGC) focus also draws on how sustainability is embedded into the matchday experience.
This has led to a new national team match format that includes audio descriptive commentary, sensory rooms, NGO partnerships for player mascot experiences, inclusive hospitality roles and detailed waste‑management and food‑recovery plans.
The FIGC’s new sustainability working group, which includes Serie A, Serie B, Lega Pro and grassroots representatives, now meets monthly to align standards nationwide.
The new UEFA sustainability reporting playbook has become a critical reference point, which the FIGC plans to disseminate widely online and through club networks.
Austria: strengthening networks and recognising the SES workforce
A recent workshop hosted by SK Rapid Vienna, attended by social and environmental sustainability (SES) officers from seven of the Austrian Bundesliga’s 12 professional men’s clubs, highlighted the value of collaborative learning.
Following the workshop, the clubs’ SES officers said they felt more recognised for their day-to-day work, providing a renewed sense of motivation. There was also a shared recognition that they are not working in isolation, opening up new opportunities to seek support and exchange solutions. Finally, participants agreed to establish an ongoing platform for collaboration between clubs and other bodies in Austrian football.
Building on this momentum, the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) is currently developing a new long-term strategy, with sustainability positioned as a central pillar.
“We are currently working on a new, comprehensive strategy for the ÖFB, which will set the course for the coming years,” said the ÖFB's football social responsibility manager, Ingo Mach. “I am particularly pleased that the issue of sustainability is at the heart of this strategy and will have an impact on all areas of football in Austria.”
Türkiye: a new platform for shared problem‑solving
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has created a unique platform bringing together all men’s and women’s first-division clubs to discuss sustainability challenges and opportunities.
The initiative is already paying off, with increased awareness among clubs that sustainability extends beyond environmental topics. The next step is to build structured peer‑learning mechanisms, helping clubs engage more directly, share expertise and co-develop solutions.
“The overall aim is to establish a more consistent and collaborative sustainability approach across Turkish football,” said TFF SES manager Begüm Serbetçioğlu.
Romania: alignment, visibility and a shared language
The Romanian Football Federation (FRF) used its Bucharest workshop to build alignment across clubs and stakeholders.
The initiative delivered three key achievements: the creation of a nationwide network; alignment on a common language around sustainability; and a boost to visibility and credibility through the presence of UEFA and European Football Clubs (EFC).
“The Romanian Football Federation’s vision is to consolidate, by 2026, its role as the leading actor in social and environmental sustainability in Romania,” said FRF public policy and football social responsibility manager Florin Șari.
“Expanding the impact of our initiatives is central to this ambition. We are committed not only to act, but to inspire and actively involve others in driving meaningful change.”