Tools and programmes
Article summary
Achieving our vision and mission for grassroots football requires a collective effort. The following tools and programmes help organisations and individuals to grow, develop and support grassroots football.
Article top media content
Article body
UEFA Grassroots Charter
The UEFA Grassroots Charter highlights our commitment and dedication to developing grassroots football throughout Europe. Each year, we allocate revenue generated by the men’s UEFA European Championship to associations for investment in grassroots activities through our HatTrick development programme.
The charter aims to:
- ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate, play, learn and enjoy the game in a safe, fun and inclusive environment;
- establish a strategic and sustainable approach to developing grassroots football;
- encourage, facilitate and promote participation in football;
- continuously improve the quality of grassroots football provision.
In June 2023, the UEFA Executive Committee approved a new edition of the UEFA Grassroots Charter, which now encompasses the complementary UEFA Grassroots Framework (see below).
The UEFA Grassroots Charter is a legal agreement between UEFA and its member associations, setting out the minimum requirements for associations to access incentive funding.
UEFA Grassroots Framework
What is the grassroots framework and what is its purpose?
The aim of the grassroots framework is to provide a clear and coordinated picture of UEFA’s grassroots vision and mission and to collate our priorities and objectives in a single grassroots framework.
To achieve these aims, the new framework provides national associations with focused guidance on the development of grassroots football through four pillars:
- players
- football environment
- game
- workforce
The grassroots framework applies equally to both men’s and women’s football, unless otherwise stated.
Football in Schools
UEFA’s Football in Schools programme aims to:
- increase opportunities for young people to engage in high-quality physical activity;
- foster a love for the game through a positive experience of football;
- create a safe environment irrespective of their ability, gender, ethnicity or religion;
- develop a lifelong habit of participating in sport or physical activity;
- use the positive impact football can have on the lives of young people;
- present, organise and manage football in ways suitable for the children and the context they are in.
The programme encourages the development of strong partnerships between national and regional football associations, education authorities and schools. The overall goal is to enable more children to benefit from the values and life skills that the game develops, including fair play, respect, teamwork and leadership.
Football in Schools investment
Launched in 2020, UEFA’s Football in Schools programme has been a huge success, with more than three million children and 80,000 schools benefitting from the programme so far.
Recognising the programme’s outstanding success, the Executive Committee has extended HatTrick funding through to 2028. Of the €1 million available for associations to invest in grassroots football projects over four years, €50,000 should be earmarked each season for Football in Schools initiatives.
The funding can be used for staff and capacity building, equipment, education of teachers and coaches, school to club links and other resources, provided there is evidence of its impact on programme outcomes.
The renewed investment in the Football in Schools initiative is a critical component of UEFA's broader grassroots football programme, reflecting our dedication to nurturing the sport at all levels.
Grassroots coach education
Grassroots coaches play a fundamental role in promoting positive values. Through their actions and behaviour, coaches can reinforce key messages about respect, inclusivity, teamwork and ensuring the game welcomes everyone, regardless of age, gender, background or ability.
For this reason, we are committed to supporting and developing grassroots coaches. Through coach education we believe we will help educate better coaches who can provide players of all ages to have a better experience of the game.
The UEFA C diploma for grassroots coaches
The UEFA C diploma for grassroots coaches provides an introduction to coaching. Aimed at parents, volunteers, teachers and others who hold a training position, the 60-hour (minimum) course provides participants with the tools, skills and confidence to deliver well-planned and high-quality sessions suited to the players in their care.
Grassroots club development
Grassroots clubs play an essential role in local communities. Through grassroots clubs, people of all ages have the opportunity to come together and play the game. Clubs are a place for everyone and a place where all parts of society can make friends and develop a healthy lifestyle.
To achieve these aims, we encourage grassroots clubs to commit to:
- quality coaching
- player development
- coach development
- inclusion
- raising the standards of behaviour in the game
There should also be a strong focus on organisation and high standards of:
- governance
- planning
- finance
- volunteer management
- child welfare and safety
"Players are the most important thing, and if you develop the clubs, then you are helping the players reach their potential. If we across Europe can create better clubs, we create a better environment and experience for the players, and UEFA is doing important work in helping associations understand why this is important."
Related reading
UEFA grassroots club development framework
UEFA’s grassroots club development framework helps national associations to create their own vision for improving the quality of the grassroots club community in their country. The framework focuses on four main pillars:
Player-focused development
Developing clubs with a focus on giving everyone the opportunity to play, enjoy and be a part of football.
Environment
Creating inclusive clubs that play an active part in their local communities, contributing to the well-being and fulfilment of their members and wider society.
The game
Supporting the development of a grassroots philosophy, player pathways and flexible football provision to support the local community.
Workforce
Educating volunteers, staff and coaches to build clubs' workforces in support of their administration and activities.
UEFA child safeguarding
We want all children, irrespective of age or ability, to take part in football in a safe environment. UEFA’s child safeguarding programme plays a crucial role in achieving this aim and aims to help member associations in Europe strengthen child safeguarding measures in football.
As part of this support, a UEFA child safeguarding toolkit and e-resources have been developed. The toolkit and e-resources include comprehensive guidance on how to develop and reinforce child safeguarding measures. The resources will help organisations to:
- lay their own foundations for safeguarding
- ensure organisational preparedness and prevention
- raise awareness
- work with others and report concerns
- measure success
"Fostering hope and solidarity means thinking about more than just ourselves. It means thinking of our society; of our children, our future generations and our planet. This is why, with the cooperation of our 55 member associations, and the help of Terre des Hommes, an NGO specialising in this field, we have launched a child safeguarding programme designed to ensure children are never subjected to abuse of any kind in a football-related context."