UEFA joins United Nations ‘Football for the Goals’ initiative as inaugural member

UEFA joins United Nations ‘Football for the Goals’ initiative as inaugural member

Strong commitment to reaching Sustainable Development Goals

This Wednesday, on the first day of UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, the United Nations launched Football for the Goals, a new United Nations initiative that provides a platform for the global football community to engage with and advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UEFA, which unveiled in December 2021 its own sustainability strategy “Strength through Unity” focusing on human rights and the environment, joins the initiative as its inaugural member.

An UN-led and managed initiative, Football for the Goals (FFTG) will tap into the power of football, not only in raising awareness and recognition of the SDGs, but to achieve behavioral change and sustainable practices in the football industry and inspiring the game’s global fan-base.

FFTG also launched a virtual event featuring a conversation between UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.

“I am pleased that the United Nations recognizes the powerful voice that football carries in the global community and the role we can play in raising awareness of the sustainable development goals through the game’s popularity. UEFA, as an inaugural member of Football for the Goals, aspires to take a leading role as an exponent for change in sports by contributing to the promotion of sustainable development and introducing more sustainable business and operating models to the football industry. I am convinced that if football comes together and bundles its power to drive sustainable change, it will be able to have a strong and long-lasting positive impact. As UEFA, we must set the right example towards sustainable change and inspire others to follow.”

Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA President

Football stakeholders – from confederations, national associations, leagues and clubs, to players, players’ associations, fan groups, as well as media and commercial partners – are invited to join FFTG and become active agents of change by committing to adopt the principles of sustainable development and human rights, develop sustainable business practices and act as SDG champions. Members will use their visibility and outreach power via tournaments, players, corporate brand exposure, media and fan communities to raise the profile of the SDGs through amplification and advocacy. Through their commitments, they will raise awareness of the SDGs and demonstrate how sustainable practices can be mainstreamed through any business model, including sports.

“The United Nations recognizes the powerful voice football carries in the global community and the role football can play in raising awareness for the SDGs through the popularity of the game. Not only is football the most popular sport in the world, it is also the most accessible. All you need is a ball for people to come together. Every day, millions of people all over the world play the game, whether on a makeshift field, in a school yard or in a giant stadium. That’s why we are excited and proud to launch this initiative. Football for the Goals offers a unique opportunity to raise awareness and galvanize the world into action on the SDGs. We are grateful to UEFA for their commitment as the inaugural member of this initiative and we look forward to many others in the football community joining this effort worldwide.”

Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations

To highlight the applicability of the commitments outlined in FFTG, the Football Association of Norway is launching a pilot project demonstrating how its national teams, grassroots football and leagues, and their media partner, will work together to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in football, and it will work closely with the United Nations to share the results with those interested in joining FFTG.

About Football for the Goals

Football for the Goal is a United Nations initiative that engages with football stakeholders and major actors to leverage the outreach power of football and the sport’s global footprint in advancing sustainability, equality, human rights and climate action by promoting actions and practices that support achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Football for the Goals invites stakeholders in the global football community, including confederations, federations, member associations, leagues, clubs, players, players’ associations, sports media, and organised fan groups to become agents of change by committing to the principles of sustainable development, developing sustainable practices and acting as champions of the SDGs. Members recognize the responsibility of the football community to take action to help create a sustainable future while ensuring inclusiveness, equality and equity for people everywhere.