Football Without Borders: UNHCR and KNVB Join Forces for UEFA Unity EURO Cup 2025

Filippo Grandi and Gijs de Jong. - Foto: Kirsten van Santen

UNHCR High Commissioner Filippo Grandi had an official meeting in Amsterdam with KNVB Secretary-General Gijs de Jong. During the meeting, they discussed various collaboration projects, including the Unity Cup and World Coaches.

UEFA Unity EURO Cup 2025

UNHCR and KNVB will further intensify their cooperation in organizing the Unity Cup in Zeist. The UNITY EURO Cup is a European championship where refugees and locals come together. This tournament contributes to KNVB’s mission of using football to make a positive impact on society.

“Organizing the UEFA Unity EURO Cup is an honor. Working together with partners such as UNHCR and UEFA feels natural. For KNVB, this offers great potential to enhance social cohesion in our own country,” said Gijs de Jong.

The organizations see a unique opportunity to draw international attention to inclusion through sports. This tournament serves as an important platform to bring together politicians, policymakers, sports organizations, and NGOs. UEFA is also a key partner in this initiative, as discussed by Grandi and De Jong.

Long-Term Cooperation Between KNVB and UNHCR

The meeting marks another step in the high-level collaboration between the two organizations. They discussed their longstanding partnership in organizing the Unity Cup. Through this collaboration, UNHCR and KNVB promote core values such as improving social cohesion and bringing cultures together.

KNVB’s Commitment to the Unity Cup

KNVB aims to introduce refugees to the Dutch sports club community and provide them with a positive sporting experience. In a world where many have been forced to flee their homes due to war, conflict, or persecution, football offers more than just a game. On the field, refugees find not only a positive sports experience but also a new community, a sense of belonging, and a place to call home.

By introducing refugees to Dutch amateur football communities, KNVB helps them integrate into their new environment, build friendships, and rebuild their dreams. Football thus becomes a powerful tool that transcends borders and brings people together when they need it most.

World Coaches in Ter Apel

The cooperation between the KNVB World Coaches program and UNHCR was also discussed. In May 2024, the first training course was organized in collaboration with UNHCR in the refugee camp in Tindouf, Algeria. Additionally, the initiative to train refugees in Ter Apel as World Coaches was discussed. Grandi and De Jong emphasized the importance of this initiative in helping refugees develop skills and integrate through football.