Slovenia, San Marino gains for Grassroots Charter

UEFA's Executive Committee has ratified the upgrading of Slovenia to three-star membership of the UEFA Grassroots Charter.

The charter, created in 2004, represents an endorsement of European national associations' grassroots programmes, and Slovenia – one of 51 out of 53 associations belonging to the charter – has consolidated its programme sufficiently to move up to three-star status.

Another European FA, San Marino, who were ratified as members at a previous UEFA Executive Committee meeting, signed the charter during a ceremony held at the conference between UEFA and its member associations in Cyprus in September.

As UEFA continues to motivate, stimulate and support its associations in reinforcing grassroots programmes, signing the charter means a country has satisfied certain minimum criteria and affords them entry at foundation level.

The top echelon of the UEFA Grassroots Charter is premier level, for associations with the full complement of seven stars. Stars are awarded in relation to excellence in specific grassroots areas, such as social projects including disability football, number of participants, nurturing of women's and girls' football, and promotion of the grassroots game.