April 11-12, the UEFA Child Protection and Youth Conference took place at the Congress Center in Bled, Slovenia. The Ukrainian Football Association was represented by its Social Responsibility Manager, Yelena Makarevych.

The conference welcomed Radenko Mićić, President of the Slovenian Football Association, and Michael O’Leary, UEFA’s Director of Social & Environmental Sustainability.

Also participating was Laura McAllister, Vice-President of UEFA and member of the UEFA Executive Committee, who called on more than 70 participants to engage in open dialogue and highlighted UEFA's commitment to supporting national associations in protecting children and youth.

The event provided a unique opportunity for European football associations, represented by child protection and youth managers as well as sustainable development managers, to share their efforts in this field, receive new information from invited experts, and gain support from UEFA colleagues.

Photo UAF

Inspiring was the presentation by a team representing the global advocacy campaign Human Change, aimed at improving children's mental health and highlighting the negative impact of social networks, games, and digital devices on developing brains. Indeed, football is an instrument to overcome loneliness and digital addiction.

The first such UEFA Child Protection and Youth Conference was organized in December 2022 at the headquarters of the Royal Belgian Football Association.

The Ukrainian Football Association confirms its commitment to creating conditions for safe engagement in football or participation by children in activities related to football. As early as December 2021, the UEFA Executive Committee adopted the Ukrainian Football Association’s Child Protection Policy (for those under 18 years of age). Since then, UAF has been working on raising awareness among people who work with children about their protection in football. Additionally, a module on child and youth protection is mandatory for future coaches within the "UEFA B License" program.