United Nations Launches Football for Goals Initiative, Union of European Football Associations Joins as Inaugural Member
Today, on the first day of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Women’s EURO 2022, the United Nations is launching Football for the Goals, a new initiative by the Organization 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 at 8 a.m. EDT/2 p.m. CET today featuring a conversation with United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin. That launch is available on the United Nations YouTube platform.
Football stakeholders — from confederations, national associations, leagues, and clubs, to players, players’ associations, organized 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 sport.
To highlight the applicability of the commitments outlined in Football for the Goals, the Football Association of Norway is launching a pilot project demonstrating how its national teams, grass-root football teams and leagues, and its media partner, will work together to support the Sustainable Development Goals and it will work closely with the United Nations to share the results with those interested in joining Football for the Goals. Those interested in joining the initiative and committing to a sustainable future are encouraged to learn more at the Football for the Goals webpage, at www.un.org/FootballForTheGoals.
“The United Nations recognizes 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, it is also the most accessible,” said Ms. 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 school yard 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 galvanize the world into action on the Sustainable Development Goals. We are grateful to UEFA for their commitment as the inaugural member of this initiative and we look forward to many others in the football community joining this effort worldwide.”
“I am pleased that the United Nations recognizes the powerful voice that football carries in the global community and the role we can play in raising awareness of the sustainable development goals through the game's popularity,” said Mr. Čeferin. “UEFA, as an inaugural member of Football for the Goals, aspires to take a leading role as an exponent for change in sports by contributing to the promotion of sustainable development and introducing more sustainable business and operating models to the football industry. I am convinced that, if football comes together and bundles its power to drive sustainable change, it will be able to have a strong and long-lasting positive impact. As UEFA, we must set the right example towards sustainable change and inspire others to follow.”
Football for the Goals follows successful collaborations between the United Nations and creative agencies, media organizations, and the publishing and the mobile industries, among others, to promote action on the Sustainable Development Goals.
About Football for the Goals
Football for the Goals is a United Nations initiative that engages with football stakeholders and major actors to leverage the outreach power of football and the sport’s global footprint in advancing sustainability, equality, human rights and climate action by promoting actions and practices that support achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Football for the Goals invites stakeholders in the global football community, including confederations, federations, member associations, leagues, clubs, players, players’ associations, sports media and organized fan groups to become agents of change by committing to the principles of sustainable development, developing sustainable practices and acting as champions of the Sustainable Development Goals. Members recognize the responsibility of the football community to take action to help create a sustainable future, while ensuring inclusiveness, equality and equity for people everywhere.
About the Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by world leaders at the historic Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015. Encompassing everything from health to gender equality and education, the Goals are mobilizing efforts around the world to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change by 2030, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
About UEFA
UEFA is the governing body of European football and the umbrella organization for 55 national football associations across the continent. Its objectives are, among other things, to promote football in a spirit of unity, solidarity, peace, understanding and fair play, without discrimination, and to promote and protect ethical standards and good governance in European football.
Press Contacts
For more information, please contact Carlos Islam, United Nations, at email: islamc@un.org, or tel.: +1 212 963 2985; or UEFA Media & Public Relations at email: media@uefa.ch, or tel.: +41 848 04 27 27.