UEFA Match for Solidarity: 1 year after

UEFA Match for Solidarity: 1 year after

A year has passed since the UEFA/United Nations Match for Solidarity, which raised funds for several humanitarian projects worldwide. The figures provided by UEFA Foundation for Children show that the benefits from the ticketing have been put to impressive use.

On the 21th of April 2018, a host of football superstars came to the Swiss city’s Stade de Genève to thrill more than 23,000 fans and demonstrate football’s eternal power as a social force for good. The Match for Solidarity, organised with the support of the city and canton of Geneva, and the Geneva Stadium Foundation, featured teams of legends captained by Portuguese star Luís Figo and Brazilian ace Ronaldinho. The event raised money for the UEFA Foundation for Children to fund humanitarian and development projects around the world. In addition to the game itself, the event also included a unique global digital auction for fans, as well as a live auction at a gala dinner held after the match.

The driving overall message was the promotion of peace, human rights and well-being across the world, through the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations. No less than €684,400 was raised and made available to the UEFA Foundation for Children to support a group of projects worldwide selected by a committee of representatives from UEFA, the United Nations Office at Geneva and the Geneva Stadium Foundation. The objective laid down by the committee was to support initiatives that use sport, and especially football, as a way to promote inclusion amongst children living with disabilities.

HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GREECE

The project aims to increase access to safe accommodation and social care in Ioannina and Thessaloníki by expanding its existing arrangements to make 400 beds available in northern Greece. The beneficiaries in Ioannina have access to a large community centre, which is the venue for cooking events, language classes, Greek film nights, discussion groups, arts and craft events and child-friendly spaces. In this way, Terre des Hommes (TdH) is supporting vulnerable children with caregivers by providing them with accommodation, and giving older unaccompanied minors somewhere where they can live independently. Furthermore, the project focuses on psychological support for refugee children, young people and their parents by using games, structured creative work, informal learning, theatre, sport, music, reading and any other activities that will improve self-esteem, trust, cooperation, well-being, safety and life skills.

Main outcoming from the Match for Solidarity:

• TdH provided around 400 beds and 15 apartments in Thessaloniki and 30 in Ioannina.
• In the camps, TdH provided refugee children with learning space equipped with toy libraries and innovative education material as well as psychosocial support to heal their trauma. Also TdH contracted Second Tree to provide Greek language classes to refugees.
• TdH bought baby strollers and cots, ensuring mothers gain more independence and children have a safe place to sleep.

LA VIE EN BLEU

The association Autisme Genève has decided to conduct an awareness campaign entitled “La vie en bleu” (Life in blue). Blue is the colour of autism, and it colours the lives of all those affected by this developmental disorder. Through the participation and organization of events, as well as the dissemination of awareness-raising documents, Autisme Genève reaches out to people so that the population is better informed and welcomes with greater indulgence into society people suffering from autism spectrum disorders.

Main outcoming from the Match for Solidarity:

• The organisation of 9 events in the Geneva area, reaching over 300,000 people.

INCLUSIVE SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT IN BANGLADESH

In 2007, the government of Bangladesh ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which promotes the rights to play and education of children with disabilities. However, a majority of children with disabilities remain out of primary education sport and leisure activities. Thus, this project aims to contribute to the educational and social inclusion of children with and without disabilities.

Main outcoming from the Match for Solidarity:

• 829 children, including 429 with disabilities participate in inclusive sport and leisure activities, and education.
• 400 caregivers are trained in appropriate caregiving for children with disabilities.
• 30 mainstream school teachers are trained to support school children with disabilities.
• 20 sports coaches are trained to adapt and facilitate inclusive sport.
• 2 DPOs are trained to promote inclusion through inclusive sport.
• Children with disabilities have increased their independence and ability to participate in activities and are more aware of their own role in their own protection.
• Disabled People’s Organisation, schools, and children’s clubs are better equipped.
• School communities have increased awareness of the rights of children with disabilities.

FOOTBALL FOR INCLUSION UEFA FIELDS

“Football for Inclusion UEFA Fields” Project is Asociación Civil Andar‘s new transformational bet in order to continue impacting the lives of people with disabilities from Argentina, and their communities, through sports. Through a combination of work experience, sport, art, cultural and health-related activities, Andar promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities. It’s Inclusive Football League uses the power of football to promote and foster the active participation of people with disabilities in society, while also addressing stigmatisation and prejudice.

Main outcoming from the Match for Solidarity:

• Building the “Football for Inclusion Fields” with 3 football pitches, meeting accessibility and safety standards for anyone, no matter their disability (opening ceremony on September 21st, 2019).

INTRODUCING SPORTS FOR PEACE INCLUSION AND RECONCILIATION (INSPIRE)

“INSPIRE” targets 20 primary and secondary schools and 2,700 children and youths, of which 700 are living with a disability. Humanity and inclusion are the keywords of Handicap International (HI) and its partners, the Centre for Accessibility, Monitoring and Information on Disability (CAMID) and the Women’s Development Centre (WDC). CAMID, based in Batticaloa, focuses on improving the quality of life of disabled people and their families, promoting their active participation and social inclusion. WDC mobilises young girls and families to implement activities in their respective districts, using a rights-based approach to challenge violations of children’s and women’s rights. The project is taking place in the highly ethnically mixed districts of Batticaloa and Ampara, in the Eastern Province, where inequalities and tensions prevail.

Main outcoming from the Match for Solidarity:

• 1,404 children have participated in activities (419 boys with disabilities and 378 boys without disabilities, 281 girls with disabilities and 326 girls without disabilities).
• 20 schools are equipped with tools and experience to sustain inclusive sports initiatives.
• Physical Education teachers have improved skills and attitudes to conduct sports sessions
• Schools have better accessibility features and have developed inclusive sports services to enable all children (no matter the disability, ethnic or religious differences) to participate in these activities.

SOLIDARITÉ AVEUGLE

“Solidarité Aveugle” (Blind Solidarity) is a sustainable project designed to promote and develop blind football activities at the Institut des Jeunes Aveugles (IJA). Focusing on the considerable needs of the school, the project aims to improve the lives of blind and partially sighted children by using football as a force for integration and development. By visiting mainstream schools, the project also aims to raise awareness among other children and change attitudes towards disability and difference.

Main outcoming from the Match for Solidarity:

• 120 blind and partially sighted young people will participate in Cécifoot (blind football) and benefit from a brand new building (inauguration in spring 2019).
• 20 young people will be accompanied to the high-level sport with reinforced coaching.
• 12 young people will benefit from the support of a project manager dedicated to their professional integration.
• 120 young people will benefit from existential aid.
• 16 young girls will get to engage in artistic projects.

You can read more about the positive impact the Match for Solidarity had on these amazing projects here.