EFDN Highlights 2019 – July to September

EFDN Highlights 2019 – July to September

As the year 2019 is coming to an end, take a look at some EFDN Highlights during the 3rd quarter of the year.

EFDN STEM Network launch in London

In September, EFDN, Chelsea FC and Feyenoord invited European clubs, leagues and FAs to Stamford Bridge, London for the launch of the new EFDN STEM Network. 15 clubs and our partner Pro League attended the first meeting and emphasised their interest in creating a new platform to exchange knowledge. STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics – is the field that helps children learn how to program, make codes, and understand technological devices. The EFDN STEM Network launch was coming together of like-minded, European football clubs and foundations, who wish to explore STEM education as a new community programme area and take their first steps towards driving innovation in STEM education through football.

FIRST SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD MEETING AT STAMFORD BRIDGE

On 3 and 4 September, EFDN and the project partners Brentford FC, Chelsea FC, Club Brugge, Ferencvárosi TC, Inter Milan, Rangers FC, SL Benfica, Werder Bremen and Show Racism the Red Card the Netherlands came together at Stamford Bridge for the 1st project meeting of the new EFDN Show Racism the Red Card programme. Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) is a 24-month anti-racism and anti-discrimination programme which is based on the proven concept of the Red Card Campaign delivered in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands. SRtRC utilises the high-profile status of football and football players to help tackle racism in society. The attendees used the project meeting to discuss the project coordination and shared first ideas for the project delivery.

EFDN YOUTH EXCHANGE IN LISBON

Young people from five EFDN members took part in the EFDN ‘Breaking barriers through football’ Youth Exchange in Lisbon. The Youth Exchange provided the 17 to 25 year olds from Aberdeen FC, PFC Ludogorets 1945, NAC Breda, KAS Eupen, and SL Benfica with the unique opportunity to share experiences with each other through engaging in diverse activities. This contributes to fostering the understanding of cultural diversity. The young people participated in workshops, prepared cultural evenings, explored the city and visited a Champions League match of host SL Benfica.

EFDN partners with EUROPEAN WEEK OF SPORT

In September, EFDN became an official partner of the European Week of Sport 2019. The European Commission celebrated the 5th edition of the campaign that aims to promote sport and physical activity in Europe. For five years, the European Week of Sport has helped tackle the inactivity crisis by encouraging Europeans to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle. Launched in 2015, the European Week of Sport was created in response to the worsening inactivity crisis. Despite sport and physical activity substantially contributing to the well-being of European citizens, the level of physical activity is currently stagnating and even declining in some countries.

WERDER BREMEN STARTS COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

20 School representatives were guests in the press room of Werder Bremen and received the explanation of the rules, regulations and other important information of the new Community Champions League programme. All the schools also received special CCL football jerseys for the start on Wednesday 11 September. The “Community Champions League” (CCL) is a football league for pupils at secondary schools. The CCL is supported by EFDN, the European Union and the DFL Foundation – Werder Bremen is one of nine European clubs participating in the campaign. With the help of the league, young people not only meet new people from different neighbourhoods and backgrounds but they also exercise more and learn the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

FC BASEL 1893 BECOMES FIRST SWISS EFDN MEMBER

EFDN was delighted to welcome FC Basel 1893 in the network. The club is the first Swiss network member. FC Basel 1893 has been Swiss national champions 20 times, Swiss Cup winners 13 times, and Swiss League Cup winners once. Since 2001 the club plays its home games at St. Jakob-Park. FC Basel 1893 has employed a full-time staff member in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility which underlines the importance of social commitment for the club. As an EFDN member, the club wants to share knowledge and experience in the field of social and environmental responsibility with other members in order to improve the quality and impact of local and international projects.