This year saw the launch of a Europe-wide initiative: More Than Football Networks (MTFN). Led by programme partners including La Liga, The Eredivisie, Pro League and Football Association of Ireland, nearly 200 EFDN member clubs, leagues and national football organisations across Europe have been enabled to collect data easily and share the impact their own projects are having, using the Upshot system in a variety of settings (schools, youth clubs, community spaces as well as at the stadium) and languages (including English, Dutch, Spanish, Portugese, Welsh and very soon, French). 

MTFN is structured to bring-to-life football related activities that can change lives and communities in 5 key pillars: 

• Health
• Employability & Education
• Environmental
• Social Inclusion
• Governance

From inspirational player-visits in schools to sustainability initiatives; from fans forum meetings to inclusive health & fitness sessions – football clubs often lead the way in connecting individuals and fostering a sense of community.

EFDN, alongside other forward-thinking organisations, champions strategies based on an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) approach. The holistic nature of the MTFN programme can help clubs, leagues and associations not only keep up with that agenda but showcase it and amplify the messaging around the power of football. 

EFDN CEO Hubert Rovers said: 

“At EFDN we are delighted to empower our member clubs, leagues and national football organisations to use Upshot.

The system enables easy collection of data, analysis and insightful learning and the team at Upshot provide great support and services to help with Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) overall.  

By enabling a consistent, Europe-wide approach to MEL, EFDN and Upshot in partnership can amplify the life-changing impact that football can have for individuals and communities. The More Than Football Networks programme can also help clubs and national organisations deliver in line with their ESG responsibilities and help all our members stand united under the banner of #morethanfootball”. 

The MTFN programme shows the power of data; starting with locally collected data to increase community engagement, feeding into national and European programmes, campaigns and collaborations and ultimately providing the evidence to influence change on a global scale. 

Upshot CEO Preeti Shetty Said: 

“Upshot was originally created for the football community and the power of football remains at our core as a social enterprise, even though non-profit organisations in many sectors, funders and deliverers, also benefit from using the system.  

To see the roll-out across Europe led by EFDN, is fantastic and recognises the data-driven and insight-led approach of the football for development community. We are so pleased to be supporting clubs, leagues and national associations of every size to evidence the impact of their community activities across Europe”.