On occasion of World Refugee Day UEFA and UNHCR recognise six national associations who have helped refugees integrate into society
A young Syrian boy plays football near the tents where he lives in with his extended family in Idomeni, Greece. © UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis
UEFA, European football's governing body and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, teamed up on Monday to recognise six European national football associations for their success in using the game's unifying power to help refugees rebuild their lives.
At the start of a week when the international community marks World Refugee Day, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, joined the Director of UEFA's Football Social Responsibility programme, Michele Uva, for an online event announcing the winners of UEFA's annual Football and Refugees Grant Scheme.
"All of today's award winners show why football is so well-placed to assist refugees, as they settle into their new communities," said Mr. Uva. "Our sport's popularity bridges so many social barriers. It has the power to connect, regardless of age, colour, gender or belief. At the same time, football's visibility can raise awareness of, and funds for, refugee programmes."
Each successful association - Armenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, Northern Ireland and Wales - will receive €50,000 to support social responsibility projects that are helping refugees reintegrate into society.
"The challenges of the past year have been even more harsh for the world's most vulnerable, including the more than 82 million people whom my organisation, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, helps and strives to protect. This makes the UEFA Football and Refugee Grant Scheme and the work you are doing to support refugees, all the more important," said Mr. Grandi.
Since its launch in 2017, some 34 countries have applied for UEFA's Football and Refugees Grant Scheme, which encourages national associations to support the inclusion and integration of refugees through football.
Increasingly, football social responsibility programmes across Europe are using their local networks to assist refugees in finding work or offer vocational training as coaches, referees or volunteers. Other projects provide psychological support, language training or specialised support for women and girls. Many also draw on specialist knowledge from expert partners to maximise their impact and reach as many beneficiaries as possible.
Earlier this year, UEFA and UNHCR signed a Cooperation Protocol to support refugee access to sport and enhance social inclusion.
"Football is a universal language that has kept so many going, even during the current pandemic. For this reason, we at UNHCR, are thrilled about the partnership agreement which we recently signed with UEFA," added Mr. Grandi.
"The contribution that football can make to improving the lives of those who have, through no fault of their own, been forced to flee their countries - and those who so kindly host them - is immeasurable."
