Global Refugee Forum: UEFA’s commitment to inclusion

The Global Refugee Forum, organised by the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, is the world’s largest international gathering on refugee matters. Taking place every four years, it provides the opportunity for states, and stakeholders such as sports organisations, to pledge tangible contributions toward providing hope for people who are forcibly displaced, due to conflict or persecution.

As the governing body of European football, UEFA is committed to supporting refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people across the continent, helping them to remain physically and mentally healthy and be included in their host community. This commitment is embedded in our Football Sustainability Strategy 2030 Strength Through Unity.

To further advocate the protection and inclusion of refugees through football, UEFA will participate in a dedicated high-level event on sports, organised in conjunction with the forum.

The event will highlight the important role that sport can play in relation to displacement. The diverse list of speakers includes UEFA (Michele Uva, director Social and Environmental Sustainability) and other sports governing bodies, refugees (such as Masoma Ali Zada, cyclist Refugee Olympic Team), ministers (including Mrs Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, French Minister for Sport and the Olympic & Paralympic Games), national Olympic Committees, adidas (André Mendes, Senior Manager Future Talent Programs) broadcasters, foundations and NGOs.

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UEFA and UNHCR: a strong collaboration

UEFA actively leverages the power of football in support of forcibly displaced people, together with its member associations, UNHCR and other European football stakeholders, through the following actions:

2017 Since 2017 and through an annual grants-based programme, UEFA has been providing dedicated funding to its member associations for their national refugee support initiatives. UNHCR is a member of the independent jury, evaluating the grant applications and providing advice to the applicants. 2021 In May 2021, UEFA and UNHCR signed a cooperation protocol to support refugee access to sport and enhance social inclusion. 2022 In 2022, UEFA and UNHCR launched the Unity Euro Cup, a European tournament for refugees and players from the refugees’ host communities. This unique event, played in the spirit of inclusiveness, provides participants with the opportunity to represent their country and host country. After the resounding success of the first edition, the second Unity Euro Cup took place in June 2023, and the third edition is scheduled for 10 October 2024 in Nyon.

June 2023 Each season, in collaboration with UNHCR, UEFA invites refugee teams to participate in the public fan festivals of its major finals. At the Champions Festival 2023 in Istanbul, a friendly match between refugees and locals was supported by Brazilian star player Kaka. December 2023 On the occasion of the Global Refugee Forum in December 2023, UEFA submitted a pledge in support of forcibly displaced people. The pledge will be publicly available on the Multistakeholder Pledges for the Global Refugee Forum 2023 platform.