Partenariats d'entreprise de l'UNICEF

International partnerships: FC Barcelona

© FC Barcelona 2006

Barcelona's Ronaldinho sports team jersey with UNICEF logo.

The Power of Sport
September 2007 marks the second year a global alliance between UNICEF and FC Barcelona. The legendary football club made a commitment of €1.5 million per year over five years to benefit children across the developing world affected by HIV/AIDS. Along with the funding, the  sports club will feature the UNICEF logo on its team jersey through the 2008 season, the first placement of its kind in the club's 107-year history.  FC Barcelona will also contribute €500.000 in publicity assets to promote the partnership each year, reminding football fans everywhere of the importance of putting children first. This commitment to UNICEF and the world's children reinforces FC Barcelona's motto, 'More Than a Club'.

The UNICEF / FC Barcelona alliance strategically harnesses the power and potential of sport to raise funds and awareness around HIV/AIDS at the international, national and local level towards achieving the Millenniums Development Goals. UNICEF's Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS global campaign  aims to ensure that children affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic are an integral part of the global AIDS response.

FC Barcelona President, Joan Laporta, was presented with the Spirit of Sport Award in recognition of the partnership with UNICEF in April 2007.  Every year, the Laureus World Sports Awards honours the globe's best sportsmen and sportswomen and celebrates the universal power of using sport as a tool for social change. The Spirit of Sport Award acknowledges those in sports who take action to create a better world.

"At FC Barcelona, we are aware of the global dimension of soccer. The increasing number of FC Barcelona supporters and fans around the world in the last few years has been spectacular. The club has an obligation to respond to this enormous positive wave. The best way to do so is by using soccer as a tool to bring hope to millions of vulnerable children in need around the world", said Mr. Joan Laporta, President of Futbol Club Barcelona.

HIV/AIDS
FC Barcelona's funding will improve children's lives in Swaziland the country estimated to have the highest estimated adult HIV prevalence rate in the world.  Education and sports programmes will be strengthened to provide better protection, care and support for orphans and vulnerable children. Those same programmes and other outreach efforts will raise public awareness to limit the spread of AIDS. Children and their mothers will have improved access to life-saving drugs to prevent transmission of HIV and dangerous opportunistic infections of the virus, including access to life-prolonging antiretroviral treatment.

About FC Barcelona
Fútbol Club Barcelona is a 108 years old privately-owned entity operating and promoting the professional Football Club of Barcelona. The club is one of the most beloved and accomplished teams in professional soccer in Spain and internationally. More than 60 million fans follow its exploits, and it has earned 57 major national and international titles.  FC Barcelona's philanthropic history includes its foundation, Fundació Futbol Club Barcelona, which is committed to social, cultural, educational and humanitarian activities in Catalonia, and has expanded internationally during the last few years under its motto "More than a Club."  Learn more about FC Barcelona.

Back to International Partnership examples.