UEFA joins United Nations Football for the Goals initiative

New York: Marking the first day of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Women’s EURO 2022, the United Nations (UN) launched Football for the Goals, a new initiative by the Organisation that provides a platform for the global football community to engage with and advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals.

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.

A United Nations-led and -managed initiative, Football for the Goals will tap into the power of football not only to raise awareness and recognition of the Sustainable Development Goals but to achieve behavioural change and sustainable practices in the football industry.

Football for the Goals launched with a virtual event featuring a conversation with United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.

“The United Nations recognises the powerful voice football carries in the global community and the role football can play in raising awareness for the Sustainable Development Goals through the popularity of the game. Not only is football the most popular sport in the world, but it is also the most accessible,” said Mohammed. “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 schoolyard 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 galvanise the world into action on the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Football stakeholders from confederations, national associations, leagues, and clubs, to players, players’ associations, organised fan groups, as well as media and commercial partners are invited to join Football for the Goals 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 Sustainable Development Goal 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 Sustainable Development Goals through amplification and advocacy. Through their commitments, they will raise awareness of the Goals and demonstrate how sustainable practices can be mainstreamed through any business model, including sports.

WAM