The coaching programme was funded by the EEA and Norway Grants, and led by the Norwegian Football Federation in close partnership with the Romanian and Ukrainian football associations. The goal was simple: train new coaches and support more girls to play football.
Over eight months, 27 participants – mostly physical education teachers – followed a course focused on football skills, coaching practice, and values like teamwork, inclusion and fair play.
Supporting young women
The visit was attended by the presidents of all three football associations: Răzvan Burleanu (Romania), Lise Klaveness (Norway), and Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine). Their message was clear: sport builds bridges, and especially in difficult times, it brings people together.
“Football has the power to help people. Young people can come to the pitch for a moment of calm and joy,” said Andriy Shevchenko, President of the Ukrainian Football Association and former Ballon d’Or winner.
Lise Klaveness, President of the Norwegian Football Federation, called the programme “a great example of how countries can work together to create positive change.” She added: “We are proud to support young women and to strengthen coaching at grassroots level.”
Photo credit: Romanian Football Fediration
A festival to remember
The course ended with a football festival at the national training centre. More than 120 girls aged 8 to 13 joined in a series of games and workshops led by the new coaches. The day was full of energy, laughter and support – a reminder of how sport creates belonging.
Răzvan Burleanu underlined the progress made in recent years: “Women’s football in Romania has grown a lot. There is still work to do, but we’re committed to moving forward.”
Photo credit: GSP.ro
Looking ahead to UEFA Women's Euro 2025
As Europe gets ready for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, hosted in Switzerland, the message from Mogoșoaia is one of hope and solidarity. Sport connects people – across borders, backgrounds, and generations. And when partners come together with a shared goal, they can achieve a lot.
The EEA and Norway Grants support this work, helping to create spaces where young people can grow, learn, and thrive through football and cooperation.
This bilateral initiative is part of the 2014–2021 funding period of the EEA and Norway Grants. It is one of several projects supported in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. During this funding period, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway allocated more than €11 million to support Ukrainian refugees. Building on this, and in continued response to the war, the EEA and Norway Grants will provide €183 million during the 2021–2028 funding period (€100 million from the EEA Grants and €83 million from the Norway Grants). These funds will support projects that address needs identified in the Beneficiary States, across a wide range of programme areas and funds.
Quotes and additional materials in this article were gathered from coverage by FRF.ro, DigiSport.ro, GSP.ro, SportPesurse.ro, Golazo.ro, IAmSport.ro, and Oslo Business Forum.
Click here to read more about the priorities of the 2021-2028 funding period of the EEA and Norway Grants in the Blue book.