As the world marks International Refugee Week, clubs across Scotland have benefitted from a pioneering scheme designed to boost the physical and mental wellbeing of refugees.

The UEFA Football and Refugees grant scheme was launched to help refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people remain physically and mentally healthy and become part of their host community through the power of football.

As part of UEFA’s 2021/22 phase the Scottish FA was awarded funding to deliver a series of projects. These projects have provided targeted investment for a number of clubs to themselves deliver programmes of activity running from Autumn 2022 to Summer 2023, which focus on offering accessible football opportunities and increasing participation for under-represented groups such as refugees, asylum seekers, “new Scots”, and ethnic minority groups.

Clubs were selected after consultation with expert partners, having been identified based on demographics and location, with each then developing bespoke programmes and offerings. These programmes included recurring sessions, recreational and competitive football, standalone festivals/events, and the purchasing of boots/equipment.

Additionally, coach education sessions were delivered for groups of participants within these programmes, allowing those in the target demographic to complete the Scottish FA’s 1.1 Introduction to Coaching course.

Scottish clubs to have benefitted from the scheme are:

  • United Glasgow
  • St Mirren Charitable Foundation
  • Morton in the Community
  • Jeanfield Swifts
  • Fair City Juniors
  • Big Hearts
  • East Kilbride Community Trust/East Kilbride FC
  • Falkirk Foundation

In addition to investment, clubs were supported through resources, education and modules through the development of partnerships with expert organisations.

The project has enabled approximately 450 adult and child participants from refugee/asylum seeker backgrounds to engage in free activity across the club programmes and festival, with links having been established to ensure continuation and longevity of this access beyond the programme end date.

The Scottish FA has subsequently been successful in obtaining funding for the 2022/23 phase of the UEFA Football and Refugee Grants scheme, with the aim being to continue the success of the previous phase by extending the reach of the support offered and engaging with clubs in new areas.

Any clubs across the Scottish FA’s six regions interested in participating in this pioneering programme can contact ClubServices@scottishfa.co.uk for more information.