UEFA marks ten years of the Foundation for Children

Since its establishment in 2015, the UEFA Foundation for Children has been committed to making a real difference in the lives of children across Europe and beyond. Over the past decade, the Foundation has supported 577 projects in 138 countries, helping approximately 4.9 million children. By working with trusted partners, the Foundation uses football as a universal language to promote children's rights and foster progress in areas such as health, education, personal development, inclusion, and career opportunities.

The Croatian Football Federation has actively participated in the Foundation’s work for many years and has successfully nominated eight non-profit organizations from Croatia for donations through the UEFA Foundation for Children. These include: the World Roma Organization in Croatia from Zagreb (2017), the Association for Autism “Pogled” from Nedelišće (2018), the Ivan Štark Educational Centre from Osijek (2019), the Croatian Down Syndrome Association from Zagreb (2020), the Association of Persons with Disabilities “Prijatelj” from Metković (2021), the Vatreno Srce Foundation (2023), and the Association of Persons with Disabilities of Sisak-Moslavina County from Petrinja (2024).

In 2022, UEFA redirected a fund of one million euros to provide urgent support to children affected by the war in Ukraine and to refugees in neighboring countries – reaffirming its readiness to respond swiftly in times of crisis.

To mark its 10th anniversary, UEFA and the Foundation invited all member associations to participate in a new initiative, in which one million euros will be equally distributed among national associations to develop socially impactful projects or events in their local communities. This initiative is a powerful expression of unity and solidarity within the European football family, which believes that together we can offer hope and opportunity to those who need it most.

"The Foundation is dedicated to bringing the magic of football to every child, creating a safe and joyful space where they can dream, play, and grow. With hope in their hearts and the right tools in their hands, children can and will build a brighter future", said UEFA President and Chair of the Foundation's Board of Trustees, Aleksander Čeferin.

To commemorate this important milestone, the Croatian Football Federation will mark the 10th anniversary of the UEFA Foundation for Children and launch a new project to demonstrate that football can – and must – be a driver of positive social change, a tool that connects people, creates opportunities, and provides support to those who need it most.

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