Deadline: 03-Aug-2026
The UEFA Foundation for Children Call for Projects is a global funding programme supporting NGOs and organisations that improve the lives of vulnerable children through sport, education, health, and humanitarian initiatives. Funding is project-based (amount not fixed) and prioritises inclusion, gender equality, disability access, child protection, and long-term community impact, with decisions made annually by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
What is the UEFA Foundation for Children Call for Projects?
The UEFA Foundation for Children annual Call for Projects is a global grant programme that funds initiatives improving the wellbeing of vulnerable children.
It supports projects that use sport (especially football), education, and humanitarian action to promote child development, protection, and inclusion.
The programme operates worldwide and is not limited to Europe.
Core Purpose of the Programme
The foundation aims to use sport as a tool for social change by supporting initiatives that:
- Improve children’s access to sport and physical activity
- Promote education and personal development
- Support children affected by conflict or crisis
- Strengthen gender equality and inclusion
- Protect children’s rights globally
- Improve health and wellbeing outcomes
- Support disability inclusion in sport and education
- Encourage environmental awareness in youth programmes
- Enhance employability and life skills development
Key Thematic Focus Areas
Eligible projects must align with one or more of the following themes:
Sport and Development
- Access to football and sport activities
- Infrastructure and sports equipment
- Youth physical development programmes
Child Protection and Rights
- Safeguarding children’s rights
- Protection of vulnerable children
- Support for children under 18 in high-risk environments
Education and Integration
- Access to quality education
- Inclusion of minority groups
- Social integration programmes
Health and Wellbeing
- Healthy lifestyle promotion
- Nutrition and physical wellbeing initiatives
- Mental health support through sport
Inclusion and Equality
- Gender equality (minimum 20% girls participation required)
- Disability inclusion programmes
- Equal access to opportunities
Humanitarian and Emergency Support
- Assistance for conflict-affected children
- Crisis response programmes
- Emergency relief activities
Sustainability and Environment
- Environmental awareness initiatives
- Sustainable sports development programmes
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open globally.
Eligible Applicants:
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- Registered charitable organisations
- Non-profit institutions
- Organisations working in child development or sport for development
Mandatory Organisational Requirements:
Applicants must:
- Be legally registered or officially recognised for at least 3 years
- Provide approved financial statements or audited accounts for the last 3 years
- Demonstrate compliance with UEFA Foundation ethical principles
Project Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for funding, projects must:
- Primarily benefit children under 18 years old
- Ensure at least 20% participation of girls
- Focus on child development rather than elite sport training
- Avoid being primarily scouting or talent development programmes
- Demonstrate measurable social impact
- Promote inclusion and equal participation
What the Funding Supports
Funding is flexible and depends on project scope.
Eligible Uses Include:
- Sport programmes and activities
- Educational and training initiatives
- Child protection and welfare services
- Sports infrastructure and equipment
- Health and nutrition programmes
- Integration and inclusion activities
- Emergency humanitarian support
- Capacity building for local organisations
Funding Structure:
- No fixed grant amount
- Funding is tailored per project
- Co-funding is strongly encouraged
- Larger partnerships may improve approval chances
How the Programme Works
Step 1: Call for Applications Opens
Organisations submit project proposals aligned with foundation priorities.
Step 2: Application Submission
Applicants provide:
- Project description
- Target group details
- Budget plan
- Implementation strategy
- Safeguarding and inclusion measures
Step 3: Eligibility Review
Applications are screened for:
- Legal registration status
- Financial transparency
- Compliance with child protection standards
Step 4: Project Evaluation
The Board of Trustees reviews applications and may consult external experts.
Step 5: Funding Decision
Final decisions are made during the annual Board meeting.
Step 6: Exceptional Emergency Decisions
In urgent situations, special fast-track approvals may apply.
Evaluation Criteria
Projects are assessed based on:
Impact and Beneficiaries
- Number of children reached
- Focus on vulnerable groups
- Inclusion of girls and minorities
- Disability accessibility
Project Quality
- Clarity of objectives
- Feasibility and structure
- Local relevance
- Innovation in delivery
Sustainability
- Long-term impact
- Capacity building
- Local partnership development
- Environmental considerations
Financial and Operational Strength
- Administrative efficiency
- Co-funding contributions
- Budget realism and transparency
Key Restrictions
Projects will not be eligible if they:
- Focus mainly on elite sports training or talent scouting
- Exclude children under 18
- Lack gender inclusion (minimum 20% girls requirement)
- Do not comply with safeguarding principles
- Lack financial transparency or documentation
- Fail to demonstrate social impact
Why This Programme Matters
The UEFA Foundation for Children funding programme strengthens global child development by:
- Expanding access to sport for vulnerable children
- Supporting education and life skills development
- Promoting gender equality and inclusion
- Assisting children in conflict and crisis situations
- Improving health and wellbeing outcomes
- Strengthening child protection systems
- Building sustainable community sport structures
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants often lose eligibility due to:
- Missing 3-year legal registration requirement
- Weak financial reporting or missing audits
- Lack of gender inclusion strategy
- Overemphasis on competitive sport training
- Poorly defined target group (children under 18 not clearly specified)
- No co-funding strategy
- Insufficient safeguarding policies
Key Concepts Explained
Child-Centred Development
A development approach focusing on education, wellbeing, protection, and empowerment of children.
Gender Mainstreaming
Ensuring women and girls are meaningfully included in all programme activities.
Safeguarding
Policies and practices that protect children from harm, abuse, or exploitation.
Co-funding
Financial support from additional donors to increase project sustainability.
Sport for Development
Using sport as a tool to improve education, health, inclusion, and social outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the UEFA Foundation for Children Call for Projects?
It is a global funding programme supporting NGOs that improve children’s lives through sport, education, and humanitarian work.
2. Who can apply for funding?
Legally registered NGOs and non-profits with at least 3 years of operational history.
3. What is the main focus of the programme?
Supporting vulnerable children through sport-based development, education, health, and inclusion.
4. Is there a fixed funding amount?
No. Funding depends on the scale and quality of each project.
5. What is the minimum requirement for girls’ participation?
At least 20% of project beneficiaries must be girls.
6. Can projects focus only on sports training?
No. Projects must focus on development, inclusion, or humanitarian impact—not elite training.
7. Is co-funding required?
It is not mandatory but strongly encouraged to improve sustainability and impact.
Conclusion
The UEFA Foundation for Children Call for Projects is a global funding initiative that uses sport as a powerful tool for child development, protection, and inclusion. By supporting NGOs working in education, health, gender equality, and humanitarian response, the programme creates long-term, meaningful improvements in the lives of vulnerable children worldwide while strengthening community-based development systems.
For more information, visit UEFA Foundation for Children.
