We are delighted to announce that the UEFA Foundation for Children is supporting the twinning partnership between Wrexham AFC & Kick4Life FC with an £85,000 grant from 2026 to 2027.
This vital funding will enable the delivery of a football-based curriculum focused on health, education, gender equality, and the development of transferable skills, with the project reaching over 2,300 children and young people across North Wales and Lesotho.
It will also help fund two cultural and learning exchanges, with opportunities for Young Leaders from both countries to connect, share experiences and promote two-way learning on topics such as safeguarding, monitoring and evaluation.
The flourishing partnership launched in 2024 and is using the power of football to address common challenges impacting children and young people in both communities.
Through this unique collaboration, both organisations have since undertaken various collaborative projects, including educational and creative exchanges, bringing benefits to people in both nations.
Jamie Edwards, Head of Foundation & Community at Wrexham AFC Foundation, said: “Thanks to the fantastic support from the UEFA Foundation for Children, we can strengthen our partnership with Kick4Life FC and take this work even further.
“This funding will have a real impact. It means we can grow our programmes and reach even more young people with opportunities that stretch far beyond football.
“Since launching the partnership in 2024, we’ve already seen how powerful this collaboration can be, and this next stage gives us the chance to build on that progress.”
Co-founder of Kick4Life, Steve Fleming MBE, added: “We are thrilled that the UEFA Foundation is supporting this partnership, which connects two clubs, one in Europe and one in Africa, with a shared belief in the power of football for social change.
“This grant will enable us to put that further into practice, empowering children & young people in both Wales and Lesotho with knowledge and skills to promote their long-term health and prospects.”
Carine Nkoue, General Secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children, said: “This partnership shows the extraordinary power of football to open doors, inspire hope, and change lives. We are proud to support young people in Wales and Lesotho as they learn, grow, and shape a brighter future together.”
