The UEFA has opened applications for the 2027 #FootbALL Awards, introducing a new special category focused on nutrition with the support of Lidl, UEFA.com reported.
The third edition of the awards will continue to recognize efforts in social sustainability across European football.
UEFA Awards Expand to Highlight Nutrition and Social Impact
Launched in 2023 and celebrated at the biennial UEFA Respect Forum, the #FootbALL Awards acknowledge outstanding work by national associations, clubs, leagues, and players promoting diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The awards are a cornerstone of the UEFA’s #FootbALL program, which places these values at the center of European football.
The previous edition highlighted projects and individuals making tangible differences through initiatives focused on inclusivity, anti-discrimination, and community engagement. The 2027 awards will build on this foundation while adding a new dimension.
This year, UEFA and Lidl are introducing a Special Category: Nutrition – powered by Lidl. According to UEFA.com, this new category celebrates initiatives that promote more active lifestyles and better nutrition in and through football.
New Nutrition Category Incentivizes Healthy Community Initiatives
Thanks to a strategic corporate partnership with Lidl, the UEFA is harnessing the power of football to encourage grassroots participation, active lifestyles, and greater awareness of balanced nutrition across Europe. The award will recognize individuals, organizations, and initiatives making a meaningful contribution to healthy and conscious nutrition connected to the sport.
The special category accepts applications from a wide range of stakeholders, including national associations, clubs, leagues, players, and schools. One winning project, along with second and third-placed projects, will be selected from all applicants.
Winning projects will receive financial support to expand their reach and increase their impact. The first-place project will receive €10,000, while the second and third-place projects will receive €4,000 and €1,000, respectively. Applicants must explain how the funding would help expand or strengthen their initiative, UEFA.com reported.
Lidl Partnership Strengthens UEFA’s Grassroots and Health Focus
In 2026, the companies of the Schwarz Group became the UEFA’s first strategic Corporate Partners, bringing the expertise of Lidl and PreZero to initiatives across grassroots football, conscious nutrition, and sustainability. This partnership is designed to create a stronger foundation for the sport at the community level.
As a sponsor of UEFA Grassroots and the UEFA Take Care program, Lidl helps promote active, healthy lifestyles across Europe. The company also serves as the exclusive partner of UEFA Football in Schools, ensuring children build healthy habits from the start of their football journey. These efforts are part of a broader strategic partnership that includes collaborations in areas like circular economy, medical support, and refereeing, according to UEFA.com.
Lotta Schelin, a former professional footballer, is associated with the #FootbALL Awards and the new nutrition category. Her involvement shows the connection between athletic performance and nutrition, a key theme of the new award.
Apply for the 2027 #FootbALL Awards
Applications for the 2027 #FootbALL Awards are now open, giving organizations and individuals across football the opportunity to submit projects and initiatives for consideration. The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2026.
To be eligible for the standard categories—National Association, Club, League, and Player—applicants must clearly explain their project or initiative, its objective and main beneficiaries, how it reflects the #FootbALL vision of a welcoming game for everyone, and key details about the applying organization or individual.
For the new Special Category: Nutrition – powered by Lidl, initiatives must meet specific criteria.
They must focus on nutrition, healthy eating, or food education in and through football; demonstrate a positive impact on the local community; have been operational for at least one year; and comply with all applicable national laws and regulations in the country where they are implemented, UEFA.com reported. All applications must be submitted in English.
Independent Jury to Select Award Winners
Following the submission deadline, the UEFA will review all applications and create a shortlist of finalists for each category. An independent jury will then select the winners.
The #FootbALL Awards jury is composed of several experts from the world of football and social impact. It includes Sofia Bohlin of Football Supporters Europa, Paul Elliot, a member of the UEFA’s Social and Sustainability Committee, Darren Lewis, a UEFA Social Impact Consultant, Erica Puppo of FIFPRO, Piara Powar of Fare, Filippo Veglio of UEFA, and Amy Wilson of AccessibAll.
The jury for the Special Category: Nutrition – powered by Lidl includes Lotta Schelin, a former professional footballer; Asker Jeukendrup of Mysportscience; Paul Elliot, a member of the UEFA’s Social and Sustainability Committee; Ronny Sangkuhl of Lidl; and Filippo Veglio of UEFA, according to the information provided by UEFA.com.
Next Steps in the Awards Process
The UEFA will finalize all applications after the November 30, 2026, deadline. The shortlisted projects will be announced before the winners are selected by the independent jury. The timing and location of the official awards ceremony have not yet been disclosed.
Organizations and individuals with projects that are making a difference through football are encouraged to apply. Whether the initiative is led by the applicant or by others, the UEFA wants to hear about it, UEFA.com reported. The application process is designed to ensure that impactful projects have the chance to be recognized and receive support to grow.
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