UEFA Grow Participation UAE pilot project shortlisted for UEFA Grow Awards 2021

06.10.2021 19:10

Project on strategic development of football in the regions Grow Participation, which UAF together with pilot regional associations from Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk and Kyiv regions implemented during 2019-2021, was included in the list of contenders for this year's UEFA award Grow Awards out of 150 projects submitted by 43 national associations in Europe, and competes for the title of the best project in the direction of working with stakeholders.

The UEFA Grow Participation pilot project became the first comprehensive initiative for the strategic and sustainable development of football at the regional level through the development and implementation of new initiatives and solutions that helped expand the number of players in the pilot areas - boys and girls, children and children. and adults of the widest age range - and the formation of a culture of registration of football players (who are involved in the game on a regular basis, more than 10 times a year).

Photo by UAF

At the same time, regional football managers were trained and integrated into the international experience through a series of international seminars and webinars with representatives of UEFA, national and regional associations of Europe, UAF, international organizations and central and local executive and local authorities. The influence was strengthened and partner networks of regional football associations were formed in their regions. Separate components were the study of the landscape and prospects for the development of the system of amateur football clubs and the formation of community societies based on them.

Photo by UAF

For the first time, the definition of grassroots football was initiated as a full-fledged social phenomenon that has economic and social value, and is also one of the tools to achieve the UN Global Sustainable Development Goals. The legends of Ukrainian football and current top players of the national teams of Ukraine in the campaign #ChooseFootball, #UAFGrow were involved in the promotion of the main messages of the project - "Football for all" and "Football is more than just a game". All the approaches used were based on the latest trends in European football management, UEFA's values ​​and principles, and the advanced modern vision formed on the basis of research and successful cases from European countries. Following the results of the project, it is considered successful for further implementation at the national level with the rest of the regional football associations.

Photo by UAF

The experience of implementing the Grow Participation pilot project was presented by UAF specialists to all regional associations of Ukraine and other national stakeholders and shared with the international community, in particular at the recent UEFA Grow Summit for a number of UEFA national associations in early September 2021. Moldova.

The Grow Awards are designed to celebrate the most powerful innovative solutions for the development of football, developed and implemented by national associations in certain categories. Successful projects include various creative initiatives that have attracted an even larger audience to football (both directly to the game and to the audience or partnership), as well as ideas to strengthen and improve national associations or other stakeholders. The main goal is not only to identify the leaders of the directions, but also to once again ensure an intensive exchange of successful practices and ideas between the national associations of Europe, because the modern world needs comprehensive dynamic growth, and football is no exception.

Photo by UAF

In 2021, projects were accepted for consideration, thanks to which it was possible to achieve brand development of the national association, sponsorship, communication campaigns, quarantine initiatives, data handling, fan involvement, organizational strengthening, and stakeholder support.

The winners of the UEFA Grow Awards 2021 will be announced on December 3 this year.

In this format, the Grow Awards were launched by UEFA in 2018 and determined the winners among 106 projects from 44 national associations. By the way, at the first ceremony in 2018, UAF received a special award from the jury for the social project "Play away, play everywhere".