UEFA Grassroots Awards 2025/26: Best Participation Initiative
by , UEFA.com · UEFA.comThe Primary School League – Challenge Month, launched in October 2025, combines physical activity with education, encouraging schoolchildren across Lithuania to take part in weekly tasks and build their knowledge across a range of subjects.
More than 220 schools and over 10,000 children have taken part in the project, with classmates competing to earn points through engaging in football and physical activities, as well as completing tasks related to healthy lifestyles and their school subjects.
According to Ignas Marcinkevičius, head of grassroots football at the LFF, the fun and competitive element is encouraging children to make positive changes to their daily behaviour.
"One of the challenges was linked to healthy eating – eating fruit and vegetables, and drinking water," he explains. "We don’t only talk about competitive football, but how the game is physical activity, can make children healthier and benefit the community."
The LFF also offers free resources and support to teachers, recognising that many may feel like they need extra training to teach football to children.
Creating opportunities for children
At the conclusion of the project, the LFF held two football festivals for the most active schools at its training centre, featuring competitions with games, prizes and entertainment for the participating children.
For Marcinkevičius, the main success of the initiative is in allowing Lithuanian children to flourish and communities to come together.
"We want to create opportunities for all children if they want to participate in football," he says.
UEFA Grassroots Awards 2025/26 winners
Best participation initiative: silver and bronze winners
🥈 Silver: DBU Kids Club (Denmark)
The Danish Football Association’s (DBU) Kids Club is Denmark’s leading child-centred football initiative, reaching 74,000 girls and boys, and supporting 351 licensed clubs to deliver safe, enjoyable, age-appropriate football.
🥉 Bronze: Barclays Girls’ Football in Schools (England)
The Barclays Girls’ Football in Schools programme has given 2.6 million football opportunities to children through 300 partnerships, reaching 20,000 schools and driving equal access to physical education.
What are the UEFA Grassroots Awards?
The UEFA Grassroots Awards are presented each year to recognise community football clubs and projects across Europe that have made outstanding contributions to the game.
Candidates are nominated by UEFA's member national associations, with winners selected by our Development and Technical Assistance Committee following recommendations from the UEFA Grassroots Panel.
The awards are presented in partnership with EA Sports FC and Lidl as part of our wider grassroots partnerships, supporting participation, development and positive experiences through football. Gold winners receive €10,000, with silver and bronze winners receiving €6,000 and €4,000 respectively to support their ongoing work.
Since their launch in 2010, 157 UEFA Grassroots Awards have been presented to winners from 45 national associations.