July 7 – Timed with the kick-off of the Women’s Euro, the United Nations has a new initiative – ‘Football for the Goals’ – with UEFA as an inaugural supporter.
The programme aims to engage with football stakeholders and “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 (SDGs).”
UEFA has recently launched its own sustainability strategy – Strength through Unity – which focuses on human rights and the environment.
The UN project aims to increase awareness of the SDGs and to bring behavioural change and sustainable practices.
The initiative is inviting to join FFTG 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 SDG champions.”
Those committing to the programme will promote via tournaments, players, corporate brand exposure, media and fan communities to raise the profile of the SDGs through amplification and advocacy. The objective being to demonstrate how sustainable practices can be mainstreamed through sport.
UEFA’s president Aleksander Čeferin said: “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,” he continued.
A first example of FFTG in action is a pilot project with the Norwegian FA showing how its national teams, grassroot football and leagues, and their media partner, will work together to support SDGs. The results of the project will be shared via the UN with others interested in joining FFTG.
“The United Nations recognizes the powerful voice football carries in the global community and the role football can play in raising awareness for the SDGs through the popularity of the game,” said Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
“Football for the Goals offers a unique opportunity to raise awareness and galvanize the world into action on the SDGs. 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.”
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by world leaders at the Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015. Covering global issues from health to gender equality and education, the Goals are mobilising efforts worldwide to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change by 2030, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
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