July 14 – FIFA has formally launched its new development programme with national associations now able to apply for the first tranche of the $5 million earmarked for them in the four-year cycle.
Meeting yesterday with the new FIFA Audit and Compliance Committee chief Tomaz Vesel in the chair in one of his first duties since taking up the role, the development programme, called Forward, ended the initial planning phase of its existence since being first proposed in February.
The Development Committee will now be overhauled with half of its members becoming independent. It will meet under this new structure in October.
A key vote winning pledge by FIFA president Gianni Infantino in his election manifesto was the $5 million allocated for each national association in the four year cycle. This is an increase from the previous $1.6 million grant given out to member associations.
Confederations will also benefit from the new development regime with a $40 million allocation over the four year cycle, up from $22 million. Sub-confederations were also promised by Infantino at FIFA’s Mexico Congress and annual $1 million to help their development activities.
Chair of the Development Committee, FIFA vice-president and AFC President Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, said: “Today’s Development Committee meeting marks a very important day as through Forward, we are making a qualitative step to improve the impact of FIFA’s development projects and better serve the member associations and confederations. The proper structure is being put in place to meet the challenges and ensure the successful implementation of the Forward programme.”
FIFA highlights the main thrust of Forward as having “more investment”, “more impact” and “more oversight”. The governing body says it will “ bring together all of its football support projects into one tailor-made contract of agreed objectives to be signed by member associations and confederations.” It also promises greater financial control of the projects including published financial statements and independently audited accounts.
“FIFA Forward’s aim is to best fulfil FIFA’s mission of developing the game around the world. This is not simply about providing more funds to member associations and confederations, but about providing concrete assistance to the football community via the transparent use of funds, and changing the culture towards a greater impact of FIFA’s development activities that can systematically be measured,” said Infantino.
Member associations have until 1 June 2017 to complete their contracts of agreed objectives which must have “key performance indicators”. Projects requiring funding before that date will be looked at by the committee on a case-by-case basis.
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