UEFA Foundation for Children Grant Program

The UEFA Foundation for Children is a philanthropic organization established by the Union of European Football Associations with the mission of improving the lives of children worldwide through sport and related initiatives. The foundation operates globally and focuses on promoting children's rights, social inclusion, and development through partnerships with organizations that share its ethical values. Its work emphasizes solidarity, development aid, and respect for human dignity, particularly targeting vulnerable and marginalized youth populations. Each year, the foundation issues a call for projects to identify and support initiatives aligned with its mission. The purpose of the annual Call for Projects is to fund and collaborate with organizations that use sport, especially football, as a tool for positive social impact. The program supports projects that address a wide range of thematic areas including health, education, access to sport, personal development, integration of minorities, and the protection of children’s rights. Additional focus areas include gender equality, environmental protection, employability, infrastructure, and support for children affected by conflict or disability. The foundation encourages practical, scalable solutions that directly benefit children and foster long-term development outcomes. Funding is provided to selected projects that demonstrate alignment with the foundation’s objectives and values. While specific funding amounts and restrictions are not publicly detailed in the provided material, supported activities typically involve program implementation, partnership development, infrastructure improvements, and delivery of services that enhance children’s well-being. The foundation may also provide humanitarian or emergency assistance and may either run its own initiatives or collaborate with partner organizations. There is no explicit mention of cost-sharing or matching requirements in the available information. Eligibility is broad and inclusive, as the call is open to all organizations and non-governmental organizations worldwide that work with children and share the foundation’s values. The foundation explicitly states that its support is not limited to projects in Europe, indicating a global scope. Applicants must propose projects that are practical, impactful, and aligned with at least one of the foundation’s thematic focus areas. While specific organizational requirements such as legal status or size are not detailed, the emphasis is placed on mission alignment and demonstrated capacity to deliver meaningful outcomes for children. The application process involves submitting a project proposal through the foundation’s candidate registration platform during the annual call period. The call for projects typically opens in June and remains open through early August. For the 2026 cycle, the deadline for submission is August 3, 2026. All submitted proposals are reviewed and evaluated by the UEFA Foundation for Children, with the Board of Trustees making final funding decisions during its annual autumn meeting. External experts may be consulted during the evaluation process to ensure thorough assessment. Evaluation criteria are based on alignment with the foundation’s objectives, ethical standards, and the potential impact of the proposed project. Projects must meet criteria established by the Board of Trustees, although specific scoring metrics are not disclosed. Following submission, applicants can expect decisions to be finalized during the autumn board meeting, after which selected projects are notified and may begin implementation according to agreed timelines. The call for projects is recurring annually, with a consistent structure and timeline centered around mid-year application periods and autumn decision-making. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to monitor the foundation’s official website for updates and to prepare proposals that clearly demonstrate their ability to deliver impactful programs for children. For inquiries, applicants may contact the foundation via email at contact@uefafoundation.org or refer to the official website for additional guidance and resources.

Ensure strong alignment with foundation values and demonstrate clear measurable impact for children