Kaizen Foundation and UEFA Foundation for Children partner for Euro 2024
Children from underprivileged backgrounds and young people with disabilities set to attend 40 matches across 10 German cities, with 10,000 tickets to be handed out
Kaizen Foundation and the UEFA Foundation for Children will provide 10,000 Euro 2024 tickets for vulnerable children as part of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) drive ahead of the tournament.
The 10,000 Smiles project, which distributes tickets to children from underprivileged backgrounds and young people with disabilities, marks the inaugural CSR initiative between the two organisations.
Euro 2024 kicks off on 14 June, when host nation Germany face off against Scotland. Tickets for the tournament will be given to children aged between eight and 16 as well as those with disabilities between eight and 21 years old.
The selection process will be conducted with the 10 host cities – Hamburg, Berlin, Leipzig, Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Cologne, Dortmund, Dusseldorf and Gelsenkirchen – and based on their priorities.
Tickets will be available across 40 matches, with host cities and federal ministries ensuring accommodations are made for children with specific needs.
In addition, seats, entrances and travel arrangements will be adapted for individuals to ensure their safety and comfort during the event.
Panos Konstantopoulos, Kaizen Foundation president, said: “We are truly honoured to become partners of an organisation, such as the UEFA Foundation for Children.
“We are a very young organisation, but from the very beginning, the Kaizen Foundation has shown its commitment to improving the lives of children.”
He added: “With grants surpassing €4m in recent months, we have launched the renovation of the Penteli Children’s General Hospital in Greece and we have completed the renovation of a critical section of the Pitesti Pediatric Hospital in Romania.
“Now, we will be supporting the UEFA Foundation for Children in helping 10,000 kids smile. The work UEFA is doing to ensure this year’s tournament leaves a lasting legacy is so important in ensuring all children everywhere have the opportunity to enjoy football.”
Urs Kluser, general secretary of the UEFA Foundation for Children, praised the Kaizen Foundation’s support and said it was critical for the organisation to get help for them to improve access to sport for children who need it.
He added: “It was clear from day one that its team shared our vision and dedication to bring the joy and excitement of live football to children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with disabilities.”
The announcement came after Betano launched its Euro 2024 campaign ad, with the firm serving as the official betting partner for the competition.
The 47 second advert sees various important scenarios being put on hold by Betano users to check their app, from a man entering his surprise birthday party to Bigfoot making a female photographer wait to take its photo.
Airing in Canada, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria and Romania, the advert was directed by Owen Trevor Black and made by Another Circus, with Topcut Modiano as a producer.
The spot ends with all the characters together celebrating a goal on their phone and a big screen in the background.