Throughout UEFA EURO 2024, various football-focused social inclusion initiatives have been taking place across Europe, aimed at aiding the integration of young migrants and refugees.
Football for Unity 2.0, a leading social inclusion project co-funded by the European Commission and supported by UEFA, is promoting the empowerment of young migrants and refugees across Europe through the beautiful game.
Spearheaded by the UEFA Foundation for Children and sustainability partners Common Goal, the Unity 2.0 project uses football to instill values like empathy, respect, and cooperation, fostering social inclusion and combating racism. Launched at the end of 2023, the program has created a range of activities during EURO 2024 to help bring migrants and refugees closer to their host communities. Here are some of the activities taking place:
Germany
In the EURO 2024 host nation, a collaboration between Common Goal and Fortuna Düsseldorf has initiated a series of initiatives focusing on racial justice. This includes a call-to-action video encouraging fans to fight racism, as well as a digital anti-racist strategy kit. The video, viewable here, is being shown in UEFA EURO 2024 fan zones across Germany.
Additionally, a two-hour anti-racism training session was held at Berlin’s FUTURE HUB, fostering open discussions about racism and promoting responsible allyship.
Austria
In Vienna, as part of Pride Month celebrations, national team player Nadine Kowalska joined 200 girls in a special event hosted by Breaking Grounds. Earlier this month, the Youth Leader Academy in Melk gathered ten future youth leaders for workshops and football activities, fostering leadership and community engagement.
Greece
Organization Earth staged a football tournament specifically designed for unaccompanied boys and girls aged 13 to 17 years old, at a mini-pitch located in the Patisia neighborhood of Athens, known for its high concentration of second-generation migrants. The tournament not only focused on promoting inclusion, respect, tolerance, and teamwork but also incorporated innovative training methodologies and fan activities to engage the participants.
Czechia
A festival organized by Fair Play Points brought together 300 young people from diverse regions at Prague’s iconic Eden Stadium with the support of Slavia Praha, in a celebration of unity and sportsmanship.
Romania
In Bucharest, the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) organized training sessions for 30 Ukrainian refugee children, focusing on football skills and social integration, helping them adjust to their new environment while also learning Romanian.
Hungary
The Oltalom Sport Association has been running in-house tournaments every Saturday during EURO 2024, with a special tournament commemorating World Refugee Day. These events engaged local and refugee athletes, promoting fair play and integration. Oltalom is also organizing summer camps near Lake Balaton and the Danube curve, combining sports training with cultural activities for comprehensive integration.
Poland
In Poznań, a football solidarity tournament was organized by Trenuj Bycie Dobrym, featuring 45 teams of children from 13 schools, emphasizing solidarity with displaced children and families, especially from Ukraine.
Spain
Social organizations Fútbol Más and Dragones de Lavapiés celebrated World Refugee Day during the EURO 2024 match between Italy and Spain. The event aimed to foster social inclusion of refugees and migrants, with support from local clubs.
Through these diverse activities, Football for Unity 2.0 continues to create safe, inclusive spaces for young refugees and migrants, fostering their integration and well-being across Europe. For more information, visit the UEFA Foundation website.
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