Today, the UEFA Foundation For Children Awards 2021 prize was officially presented at Coverciano for the ‘#ÈIlNostroDovere - #OurDuty’ project, which has been promoted by the FIGC alongside the LAPS Foundation during the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim of raising funds and providing basic necessities to the most vulnerable families with the support of the Italian Red Cross and Banco Alimentare. The LAPS Foundation has received €52,630.00 from UEFA to further promote the synergy created and encourage the positive impact seen at a particularly difficult time.

The FIGC supported the initiative by involving Azzurri and Azzurre players, who were pictured together with tricolore hands on their hearts in a communication campaign to “support those who have always supported us”, thus implementing the creative idea developed by Independent Ideas President and Founder Lapo Elkann and the Publicis Groupe boutique agency team. The initiative was replicated by the LAPS Foundation in Portugal in Israel, together with their respective football federations.

“We share important values with the LAPs foundation: providing solidarity and support to help those in need is the basis of the friendship and collaboration that we’ve established together,” said Gabriele Gravina. The FIGC President continued: “I’d like to thank Lapo Elkann for offering the Federation and our National Teams the opportunity to transmit such a wonderful message, one which has allowed us to achieve a much more valuable result than our victories on the pitch. My thanks also go to our partners, who have backed this campaign enthusiastically.”

LAPS President Lapo Elkann had the following to say: “Together with the FIGC, I’m proud to have made a contribution to alleviating the suffering caused by the economic crisis as a result of the pandemic. I’d like to thank President Gravina and all of his team for their precious support, as well as the Publicis Groupe and Independent Ideas for their extraordinary work. I’d like to give my special thanks to all those who have donated and express my heartfelt appreciation to the Azzurri and Azzurre and their coaches. For me and the LAPS Foundation, it’s a great honour to receive this award, and I’m infinitely grateful to UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin. My thoughts continue to go out to those who are suffering, and I invite further donations to show your support for those who are going through a difficult time, even if all you can donate is a smile.”

The campaign has raised a total equal to 414,084.70 euros when donations and food and hygiene products are considered. All donations are passed on to the Red Cross and Banco Alimentare, and, in turn, to families in need.

The FIGC supported the project together with Barilla (provision of pasta), Costa D’Oro (cooking oil provision) and Equilibra (donation of sanitisers). Meanwhile, media partners Radio Italia and Gazzetta dello Sport supported the campaign by offering visibility and coverage on their own communication channels.

The UEFA Foundation for Children is UEFA’s Foundation which was established to help children and safeguard their rights through sport and football in particular, with the aim being to provide support in the areas of health and children’s education, as well as promote access to sporting activity, facilitate children’s personal development and foster the integration of minorities. Every year, the Foundation selects award winners among charities and other organisations working in favour of children's rights. Organisations are nominated by the UEFA member associations.