In designing the programme at national level, a series of principles apply.
- Consultation with all stakeholders is vital in order to ensure that all points of view are considered, including those of children/young people.
- The F4S Programme is based on a partnership between the MA and the national government (Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sport, Ministry of Health, etc.)
- The F4S Programme may be led by the MA or government (various scenarios are possible), but should be based on a memorandum of understanding between the parties.
- The quality of the programme is important in order to retain learner engagement and develop the game at all levels. Providing high-quality technical support to coach-educators is crucial in this regard.
- Equality in terms of access and opportunity is non-negotiable. The programme must be inclusive and allow for the participation of male and female coach-educators, boys and girls, children with disabilities, and children from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- The programme must address social responsibility and cater for young people in disadvantaged areas, whilst incorporating psychosocial support and referral linkages for learners and coach-educators.
Phased approach
The programme will be rolled out in phases. This will involve a staggered launch across the various regions and will include consultation, partnership building and training in the relevant regions, followed by programme delivery at national level. Implementation must be accompanied by regular programme M&E. A series of steps may guide the implementation process.
- At a global launch event, information and promotional materials will be produced for the purpose of outreach, partner mobilisation and communication at regional and national levels.
- Regional consultations will be held to introduce the F4S Programme to national stakeholders.
- Interested national stakeholders will form an NSG and submit applications.
- In collaboration with UNESCO, FIFA will review each application and determine whether it is successful.
- The NSG will designate focal points and/or NTCs, main partners, modalities of cooperation, and geographic priorities, and will manage the selection of schools, the distribution of footballs and other equipment, communications, outreach activities and reporting modalities, etc.
- Regional workshops will be organised by FIFA, in collaboration with UNESCO, for national focal points and/or NTCs.
- Following the regional workshops, the NTC will be in a position to train the national trainers.
- National trainers will train selected coach-educators from relevant schools.
- Trained coach-educators will use the F4S app to deliver the programme.
- M&E will be carried out at all stages.