What UEFA Foundation for Children does

The UEFA Foundation for Children is a non-profit charitable foundation established in 2015 by UEFA (Union of European Football Associations), registered in Nyon, Switzerland and governed by Swiss foundation law. It supports disadvantaged children globally through football-based social, educational, and infrastructure projects, organized around ten focus areas including access to sport, personal development, healthy lifestyle, disability support, refugee assistance, gender equality, employability, infrastructure, environmental protection, and partnership strengthening. The foundation's flagship programs include Lay's RePlay (a partnership with Lay's/PepsiCo and streetfootballworld that transforms empty crisp packets into sustainable five-a-side pitches, with 13 pitches built across 12 countries and 1.1 million+ usages to date), Legacy for the Future (a 2025 gender-equity initiative co-funded with the adidas Foundation at €800,000 for 16 NGOs), the UEFA Foundation Awards (annual €1 million grant round distributed across winners), Child-Friendly Spaces (with Save the Children for refugee children in Switzerland), Just Play (in partnership with UNICEF and the Oceania Football Confederation), Field in a Box (portable pitch infrastructure), and Match for Solidarity (fundraising events). Across its first decade (2015-2025), the foundation reports 765 projects implemented in 156 countries, improving the lives of over 4.9 million children, with 166 ongoing initiatives as of 2026.

Name

UEFA Foundation for Children

Legal name

UEFA Foundation for Children

Website

https://uefafoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The UEFA Foundation for Children is a Swiss-registered non-profit established in 2015 by UEFA that funds football-based social, educational, and infrastructure projects for disadvantaged children across 156 countries, supporting 765 projects and 4.9 million+ beneficiaries in its first decade.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Charitable foundation grants
• Football for development
• Child welfare programs
• Youth sports initiatives
• Social impact philanthropy

Headquarters

HQ city

Nyon

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: The foundation receives substantial funding from UEFA as its founding institution, supplemented by contributions from corporate sponsors including adidas, Mastercard, FedEx, Lay's/PepsiCo, HANKOOK, Just Eat, Lidl, Visa, Hisense, EA Sports, Topps, Kaizen Foundation, and others. These partnerships fund specific projects and initiatives.
2. Private Donations: Individual donors can contribute directly to the foundation through its website. Donations are directed toward operations and partner projects on the ground, with separate currency options for EUR and CHF contributions.
3. Project Grants: Annual call for projects where NGOs worldwide can submit proposals. The foundation awards grants to selected organizations following board review, with the 2026 award providing €1 million distributed among 29 NGOs (€34,482.75 each).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The UEFA Foundation for Children is a Swiss-registered non-profit foundation that funds and supports football-based social, educational and infrastructure projects benefiting disadvantaged children worldwide. It awards grants to NGO partners through annual Calls for Projects and a dedicated Awards programme, and runs flagship initiatives including Lay's RePlay (sustainable pitches from recycled materials), Legacy for the Future (gender equity with adidas Foundation), and Child-Friendly Spaces with Save the Children for refugee children.

Product overview

The UEFA Foundation for Children is a charitable foundation that uses football as a tool for social impact. Rather than a traditional product portfolio, it operates a portfolio of social programmes and grant initiatives including Lay's RePlay (sustainable football pitches built from recycled materials), Legacy for the Future (gender equity programme with adidas Foundation), the annual UEFA Foundation Awards (granting €1 million to NGOs), and the Call for Projects (open grant application process). The foundation also partners with Save the Children on Child-Friendly Spaces for refugees. Key historical programmes include Just Play (Oceania child health initiative), Spirit of Football (anti-racism workshops), Field in a Box (portable pitches), and Match for Solidarity. Focus areas span access to sport, personal development, healthy lifestyle, disability support, refugee assistance, gender equality, employability, infrastructure, environmental protection, and partnership strengthening across 166 ongoing initiatives in 156 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lay's RePlay: A global initiative launched in 2021 in partnership with Lay's and streetfootballworld that repurposes empty crisp packets to build sustainable community football pitches in underserved areas worldwide.
• Legacy for the Future
• UEFA Foundation for Children Award

Products and services

• Lay's RePlay A global initiative in partnership with Lay's that transforms empty crisp packets into sustainable artificial five-a-side football pitches, providing communities with safe spaces for sport and personal development.
• Legacy for the Future A collaborative gender equity initiative with the adidas Foundation supporting 16 grassroots organisations across UEFA Women's EURO 2025 countries to empower girls and women through football.
• UEFA Foundation Awards Annual award programme that recognises NGOs using football to improve lives of vulnerable children, providing €1 million in total funding divided among winners (€34,482.75 each in 2026).
• Call for Projects Annual open call inviting organisations worldwide to submit project proposals for funding. The 2026 call window runs 29 June to 3 August 2026.
• Child-Friendly Spaces (Save the Children Partnership) Partnership with Save the Children to support asylum shelters in creating child-friendly spaces and provide staff training on age-appropriate activities for refugee children in Switzerland.
• Just Play Programme encouraging physical activity among children aged 6-12 and promoting healthy lifestyles to address child obesity, managed by the Oceania Football Confederation with UEFA Foundation support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.9 million+ children impacted in first decade (2015-2025)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• adidas FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2025Collaborative project 'Legacy for the Future' initiated and funded jointly, involving national football associations and local organizations. Each team at UEFA Women's EURO 2025 selected a gender equity project to champion. €800,000 available for 16 non-profit organizations. adidas Foundation established in 2023 with vision of transformative power of sport.
• Lay's / PepsiCocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Lay's RePlay program transforms empty crisp packets into sustainable football pitches. Pitches built in 13 cities across 12 countries. Foundation funding of €200,000 per project. Lay's ambassador Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai participates in launches.
• Common GoalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in Lay's RePlay program implementation, working with local partners to build sustainable community football pitches.
• streetfootballworldcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNetwork organization collaborating on Lay's RePlay project delivery, supporting local partners in building community mini pitches.
• UEFAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUEFA is the founding institution of the foundation, providing ongoing support and mobilizing partners. The foundation leverages UEFA events, brand, and network of national associations for its activities.
• FedExmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompetition partner for Champions League finals, supporting mascot programs and enabling children from partner organizations to attend major football events.
• MastercardmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompetition partner coordinating registration of children for mascot programs at UEFA finals. Supports Foundation's efforts to bring children to major events.
• HANKOOKmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompetition partner for Europa League and Conference League finals, organizing referee mascots for children at major matches.
• UNHCR (United Nations Refugee Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for refugee support programs. Collaborated on Za'atari refugee camp projects in Jordan including football tournaments and pitch construction.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization partner supporting Just Play program in Pacific region and broader child welfare initiatives.
• Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Just Play program management in Pacific region, targeting children aged 6-12 and promoting healthy lifestyles.
• International Foundation of Applied Disability Research (FIRAH)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on projects to improve lives of autistic children and their families through adapted sports programs.
• Asian Football Development Project (AFDP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Za'atari refugee camp projects in Jordan, organizing sports activities and tournaments for displaced Syrian children.
• Kaizen FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinued partnership focused on inclusion initiatives. Logo displayed among major sponsors on foundation website.
• LidlmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner bringing purpose to UEFA Europa League final in Istanbul, supporting mascot and experience programs for children.
• VisamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated €50,000 to UEFA Foundation-backed charity selected by Amandine Henry. Ongoing sponsorship support.
• HublotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated to foundation at Match for Solidarity event with Pelé and Maradona in Paris.
• Just EatminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed sponsor supporting foundation activities alongside other corporate partners.
• Swiss Football AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for PluSport support, promoting disability sport in Switzerland alongside foundation backing.
• RB LeipzigmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost city partner for Conference League final 2026, with community and charitable initiatives including partnerships with KMV Sachsen gGmbH and Kick Fair.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Comic Relief: Major UK charity funding programmes tackling poverty and social injustice including sport-for-development initiatives; comparable as a large-scale grantmaking charity with mass-event-driven fundraising.
• FIFA Foundation: Global football-governing-body-affiliated charitable foundation focused on social development through football; comparable as the broader, globally-scoped counterpart to UEFA Foundation within the same football-governance ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Right To Play: International NGO using sport and play to educate and empower children in disadvantaged communities; comparable as a sport-for-development grantmaker/implementer serving children across multiple geographies.
• Common Goal: A charitable initiative linking football professionals and organizations to social-impact projects globally; comparable as a football-led grantmaking/collective-impact vehicle with a similar sponsor and federation ecosystem.
• Laureus Sport for Good Foundation: Global charitable foundation using sport (including football) to address social issues affecting youth; comparable as a sport-for-development grantmaker with corporate sponsor backing and a global project portfolio.
• FC Barcelona Foundation: Charitable arm of FC Barcelona using sport for educational and social inclusion programmes for vulnerable children; comparable as a top-flight European football club-affiliated charitable foundation.
• streetfootballworld: Berlin-based non-profit network operating in the football-for-development space; a direct strategic partner on Lay's RePlay and therefore the closest comparable in mission, network structure, and delivery model.
• Real Madrid Foundation: Charitable arm of Real Madrid running sport-based social and educational programmes for children worldwide; comparable as a football club foundation with global project portfolio and corporate partner network.
• Manchester United Foundation: Charity of Manchester United delivering education, health, and sport programmes for young people; comparable as an elite European football club foundation focused on youth outcomes.
• Soccer Aid (UNICEF): Biennial charity football match raising funds for UNICEF children's programmes; comparable as a UEFA-adjacent football-led fundraising and awareness vehicle for child welfare.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uefa_foundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCu6DgLNBw3qabD4LbfFUoRA
• Facebookfacebook.com/uefafoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/uefa-foundation-for-children
• Instagraminstagram.com/uefa_foundation
• TikToktiktok.com/@uefafoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about UEFA Foundation for Children