ECA announced today that it is joining Football for the Goals, a United Nations-led initiative that provides a platform for the global football community to engage with and advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Football for the Goals (FFTG) taps into the power of football, not only to raise awareness and recognition of the SDGs, but to achieve behavioural change and implement sustainable practices in the football industry.
The announcement follows the creation in 2022 of a new ECA Sustainability Working Group chaired by Niclas Carlnén, CEO of Malmö FF, and composed of 15 European football club representatives. ECA recognises the importance of advocating for sustainability in football with the objective to encourage its member clubs to act as role models.
Commenting on the announcement ECA CEO, Charlie Marshall, said:
“ECA is proud to be a member of Football for the Goals in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. We fully recognise the importance of our role in driving sustainability-led thinking and action across European club football.
“As the sole, independent body directly representing European football clubs at international level, this is now a great opportunity for ECA to help promote calls to action around the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to hundreds of our member clubs and our fast-growing network of aspiring clubs of Europe.”
The SDGs, adopted at the United Nations, encompass everything from health to gender equality and education and they mobilise efforts around the world to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change by 2030. Football for the Goals galvanises the world of football to champion the SDGs and drive behavioural change and sustainable practices in the football industry.
By joining FFTG, ECA commits to becoming an active agent of change by adopting the principles of sustainable development and human rights, developing sustainable business practices, and championing the SDGs.
Maher Nasser, Director, Outreach Division, United Nations Department of Global Communications said:
“We need the full backing of every major football entity, such as the European Club Association, to make a real impact on sustainability, equality and human rights within the sport and beyond. We are very excited to work with ECA on securing commitments from European clubs to advance an embrace of the SDGs, human rights and sustainable practices in their business models.”
About Football for the Goals
Football for the Goals is a United Nations initiative that engages with football stakeholders and major actors 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).
Football for the Goals invites stakeholders in the global football community, including confederations, federations, member associations, leagues, clubs, players’ associations, sports media and organized fan groups to become agents of change by committing to the principles of sustainable development, developing sustainable practices and acting as champions of the Sustainable Development Goals. Members recognise the responsibility of the football community to take action to help create a sustainable future, while ensuring inclusiveness, equality and equity for people everywhere.
About the SDGs
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by world leaders at the historic Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Encompassing everything from health to gender equality and education, the Goals are mobilizing efforts around the world 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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