The UEFA Foundation for Children has opened its 2026 Call for Projects for organisations working with children worldwide. This grant opportunity supports practical projects that align with the foundation’s focus areas, including access to sport, gender equality, support for conflict victims, infrastructure, and healthy lifestyles. Importantly, the call is open globally and is not limited to Europe.
Application Deadline:
- June–July 2026 (annual call; closing date varies).
Tell Me About the Programme:
The UEFA Foundation for Children issues an annual call for projects to support initiatives that promote children’s rights and wellbeing worldwide. Projects must align with the foundation’s objectives: health, education, access to sport, personal development, integration of minorities, and protection of children’s rights. Activities often involve football or sport more broadly, and can be run independently or in partnership with NGOs, schools, or community organisations.
Ethics Code Principles:
Projects must respect the foundation’s values, including:
- Children’s Rights – promoting fundamental rights as per international conventions.
- Participation – listening to beneficiaries and tailoring solutions.
- Sustainable Development – ensuring long‑term impact and environmental protection.
- Gender Equality – empowering women and girls.
- Transparency & Independence – impartiality, accountability, and rejection of corruption.
Type:
- International Grant Programme | Child Rights & Sport | UEFA Foundation
Who can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be legally registered organisations (minimum 3 years).
- Provide audited financial reports for the last 3 years.
- Respect the foundation’s ethics code.
- Design projects involving children under 18 (with at least 20% girls).
- Not focus primarily on scouting or promoting young talent.
How Are Projects Selected?
Selection is based on:
- Deal‑breaker criteria (legal identity, audits, child focus, gender inclusion).
- Weighted criteria (administrative costs, co‑funding, number of beneficiaries, sustainability, inclusion of minorities, environmental considerations, relevance to local needs).
- Final decision by the Board of Trustees at its autumn meeting.
Which Countries Are Eligible?
- Global – projects worldwide are welcome.
Where is the Programme Taken?
- Projects delivered locally, often in partnership with NGOs, schools, and community organisations.
What is the Benefit of the Programme?
- Funding proportional to project size (co‑funding encouraged).
- Support for humanitarian or emergency assistance.
- Partnership opportunities with UEFA Foundation.
- Visibility through UEFA’s global platform.
How Long Will the Programme Last?
- Duration depends on project design; sustainability beyond completion is strongly encouraged.
Required Documents:
- Online application via candidate registration platform.
- Organisational registration and audits.
- Detailed project proposal (objectives, beneficiaries, sustainability plan).
- Budget breakdown.
How to Apply:
- Review ethics code and criteria.
- Prepare project proposal aligned with foundation’s objectives.
- Submit via the candidate registration platform during June–July 2026.
- Await decision at the autumn Board of Trustees meeting.
👉 Visit the official grant page for details