UNICEF in Romania and the Romanian Football Federation join efforts to support vulnerable children

BUCHAREST, 10 March 2017 - UNICEF in Romania has signed a new and one of a kind partnership with the Romanian Football Federation (RFF). The three-year partnership creates a focus on supporting UNICEF programmes aimed at promoting quality inclusive education for children and combating violence against children, while also joining fundraising efforts.

Soccer is the most watched and loved sport in Romania, while Romanians are among the most football oriented Europeans, according to various UEFA and IRES studies. RFF's engagement to mobilize its communication resources and raise awareness of UNICEF programmes, especially concerning violence and the right to education, is an innovative and powerful perspective for Romania.  

“Soccer is a social phenomenon, uniting millions of sports fans regardless of their gender, profession, faith, preferences or social status.", said Mr. Răzvan Burleanu, President of RFF. "If this force is aimed at supporting the idea of education and protection against all forms of violence, we believe more children will receive quality education, more youths will be motivated to stay in school and will grow up without being exposed to any form of violence. At the same time, through soccer, we can help mobilize more resources for the UNICEF programmes targeted at increasing the quality of education”, he added.

As noted during the press conference at the Soccer House, the partnership highlights UNICEF in Romania access to a new target audience and a unique channel to further raise awareness on children rights and mobilize resources for the most vulnerable ones.  

“The partnership with the Romanian Football Federation will contribute to increasing people’s information and awareness regarding children’s rights and educational needs. We would like to be able to send our campaign messages, with the Federation’s help, to as many football fans as possible. Fans can support vulnerable children’s access to quality inclusive education and can help end violence against children”, said Ms. Sandie Blanchet, UNICEF Representative in Romania.

UNICEF will provide Romanian Football Federation with technical expertise to conduct training sessions for coaches and football people with specific on social inclusion and combating violence against children.