FIFA and the French Development Agency (AFD) have renewed their memorandum of agreement and will continue to work together to generate positive change in society, with special attention to women’s empowerment and education through football. The new agreement was signed in Paris (France) by the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, and the executive director of the AFD, Rémy Rioux.
Through your cooperation, which began in 2019 with the signing of the first memorandum of agreementFIFA and AFD are joining forces and resources to promote unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values around the world, and especially in Africa, through football development programs aimed at young people.
In addition to emphasizing education and gender equality, FIFA and AFD will work together on projects related to protecting children and promoting access to sport through infrastructure development. This renewed partnership will improve collaboration between AFD activities and FIFA programmes, such as FIFA Forward and Football for Schools.
“I am very happy that we are continuing our strategic alliance with the French Development Agency, as it will play an important role in helping us use football as a platform to generate positive changes in society; one of the strategic objectives of the FIFA,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “FIFA and AFD have many goals in common and, by working together, we can make a real difference in the lives of young people, empowering women and girls and contributing. to provide better educational opportunities.
For his part, Rémy Rioux stated: “This new cooperation agreement with FIFA demonstrates our common desire to unite the worlds of football and economic development in the same team. Through its impact on education, health, social cohesion and gender equality, football is a catalyst for sustainable development. It opens a space in which young people and communities take a leading role in football to learn, express themselves and emancipate themselves. activating, through football, new educational and inclusive perspectives for all”.
Likewise, the collaboration will allow AFD and FIFA to continue being involved in the inclusive sports academies project. This program aims to support the development of sports schools on the African continent while enhancing their training around four key aspects: vocational education and training, gender equality, child protection, and sustainable business models. 16 academies in 11 countries have already benefited from it, including the three football academies of the member associations of Djibouti, Malawi and Mauritania – co-financed by AFD and FIFA within the Forward programme.
