Norra Jalgpalliliidu taotlus

Grassroots Football Coaching Course Estonia (GFCC): Advancing Gender Equality through Inclusive Grassroots Football

Instructor travel & fees 4980

Travel (2 round trips) + fees – Course Part 1 & 2

The average round-trip travel cost is €380 per person. Each course (Part 1 and Part 2)

involves 3 participants: 2 instructors, 1 coordinator from NFF.

Travel expenses cover tickets only.

Instructor fees

Course Part 1: €845 per instructor (includes 10.2% holiday pay - as required by law),

covers 6 travel days.

Course Part 2: €505 per instructor (includes 10.2% holiday pay - as required by law),

covers 4 travel days.

These fees are standard fixed rates per course, including travel days. The rate is

relatively low compared to the average Norwegian salary. Instructor compensation is

set according to the terms defined in their contract with NFF.

Accommodation & full board 12800

Participants, instructors, and staff: a total of 2 courses will be held in Tallinn

Accommodation for 24 participants, Course Part 1 = 3 nights, Course Part 2 = 1 night.

Accommodation for 4 persons (2 instructors, 1 representative from NFF, and 1

representative EJL), Course Part 1= 5 nights, Course Part 2= 3 nights. The average cost

is estimated at €100 per person per night, based on double room accommodation with

full board for course participants (2 persons per room, 12 rooms per night) and single

room accommodation with full board for 2 instructors, 1 representative from NFF, and

1 representative EJL.

1. 12 Double rooms, €200 per night (full board) x 4 nights (Course part 1+Part 2) =

€ 9 600

2. 4 Single rooms, €100 per night (full board) x 8 nights (Course part 1+Part 2) =

€ 3 200.

Venues, sports facilities and

interpretation 7800

Classroom (theory), pitch rental (practice), and interpreters (theory and practice)

Interpreter services for Course 1 (4 days) and Course 2 (2 days), with 2 interpreters per

day at €400 per person for total 6 days (8 hours per day)= total €4,800. Training venue

rental: €150 × 2 sessions per day × 6 days = €1,800. Conference room rental: €200 per

day × 6 days = €1,200.

Course manuals &

translation 3000

Translation of educational materials and manuals for Course Part 1 and Part 2 (one-

off) plus printing

Translation of Manual 1= €1,300 and Translation of Manual 2= €900. Printing of

manuals for Course Part 1 and Course Part 2 (60 manuals in total) = €800.

Digital learning platform 1200

Digital follow-up and technical assistance

One year of digital follow-up and support for all 24 participants via the digital learning

platform, including participant enrollment, monitoring of uploaded reports and photos

from coaching activities during the practical period, and support for all participants

through the three e-learning modules, including technical assistance. Cost: €50 per

coach.

Equipment for coaches 4807

Starter kits for trained coaches

Footballs: 144 x €25 = €3600, Bibs: 144 x €3,5= €504, Cones:240 x €0,6 = €144, Net: 12

x €4,3 = €51,60 Wistle: 12 x €2,3= €27,60 Team bag: 12 x €30= €360, Pump: 12 x €4,7=

€56,4 Transfer/tax: = €63

Girls’ Football Festival x 2 &

transport 4140

Festival logistics, transport, and food for children

Transport for Course Part 1 includes 2 festival days with 240 children, and Course Part

2 includes 1 festival day with 40 youth; total transfer cost for festival participants =

€1,500. T-shirts for 2 children’s festivals: 240 children × €4 = €960 (no T-shirts for the

youth festival). Diplomas for 2 children’s festivals: 240 children × €2 = €480 (no

diplomas for the youth festival). Food for children at 2 festivals: 240 children × €5 =

€1,200 (no food provided at the youth festival).

Project administration (NFF

& EJL) 7 745

Direct staff costs, 20 % of the eligible direct costs

Indirect costs 3 253 Indirect costs 7 % of eligible direct costs.

Subtotal 2026 49725

CommentsCourse Program

Female Grassroots coaching

program 2026

Cost item Amount EUR

Instructor travel & fees 4980

Travel (2 round trips) + fees – Course Part 1 & 2

The average round-trip travel cost is €380 per person. Each course (Part 1 and Part 2)

involves 3 participants: 2 instructors, 1 coordinator from NFF.

Travel expenses cover tickets only.

Instructor fees

Course Part 1: €845 per instructor (includes 10.2% holiday pay - as required by law),

covers 6 travel days.

Course Part 2: €505 per instructor (includes 10.2% holiday pay - as required by law),

covers 4 travel days.

These fees are standard fixed rates per course, including travel days. The rate is

relatively low compared to the average Norwegian salary. Instructor compensation is

set according to the terms defined in their contract with NFF.

Accommodation & full board 12800

Participants, instructors, and staff: a total of 2 courses will be held in Tallinn

Accommodation for 24 participants, Course Part 1 = 3 nights, Course Part 2 = 1 night.

Accommodation for 4 persons (2 instructors, 1 representative from NFF, and 1

representative EJL), Course Part 1= 5 nights, Course Part 2= 3 nights.

The average cost is estimated at €100 per person per night, based on double room

accommodation with full board for course participants (2 persons per room, 12 rooms

per night) and single room accommodation with full board for 2 instructors, 1

representative from NFF, and 1 representative EJL.

1) 12 Double rooms, €200 per night (full board) x 4 nights (Course part 1+Part 2) = € 9

600. 2) 4 Single rooms, €100 per night (full board) x 8 nights (Course part 1+Part 2) = €

3 200.

Venues, sports facilities and

interpretation 7800

Classroom (theory), pitch rental (practice), and interpreters (theory and practice)

Interpreter services for Course 1 (4 days) and Course 2 (2 days), with 2 interpreters per

day at €400 per person for 6 days (8 hours per day), total €4,800. Training venue

rental: €150 × 2 sessions per day × 6 days = €1,800. Conference room rental: €200 per

day × 6 days = €1,200.

Course manuals 800

Printing

Printing of manuals for Course Part 1 and Course Part 2 (60 manuals in total) = €800.

Digital learning platform 1200

Digital follow-up and technical assistance

One year of digital follow-up and support for all 24 participants via the digital learning

platform, including participant enrollment, monitoring of uploaded reports and photos

from coaching activities during the practical period, and support for all participants

through the three e-learning modules, including technical assistance. Cost: €50 per

coach.

Equipment for coaches 4807

Starter kits for trained coaches

Footballs: 144 x €25 = €3600, Bibs: 144 x €3,5= €504, Cones:240 x €0,6 = €144, Net: 12

x €4,3 = €51,60 Wistle: 12 x €2,3= €27,60 Team bag: 12 x €30= €360, Pump: 12 x €4,7=

€56,4 Transfer/tax: = €63

Girls’ Football Festival x 2 &

transport 4140

Festival logistics, transport, and food for children

Transport for Course Part 1 includes 2 festival days with 240 children, and Course Part

2 includes 1 festival day with 40 youth; total transfer cost for festival participants =

€1,500. T-shirts for 2 children’s festivals: 240 children × €4 = €960 (no T-shirts for the

youth festival). Diplomas for 2 children’s festivals: 240 children × €2 = €480 (no

diplomas for the youth festival). Food for children at 2 festivals: 240 children × €5 =

€1,200 (no food provided at the youth festival).

Project administration (NFF

& EJL) 7305

Direct staff costs, 20 % of the eligible direct costs

Indirect costs 3068 Indirect costs 7 % of eligible direct costs.

Subtotal 2027 46901

96626

….........................................................

Karl-Petter Løken

General secretary

The Norwegian Football Association

Female Grassroots coaching

program 2027

TOTAL COST 2026/2027

Course Program Cost item Amount EUR Comments

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EEA AND NORWAY GRANTS FUND FOR BILATERAL RELATIONS

INITIATIVE PROPOSAL

Title of the initiative: Grassroots Football Coaching Course Estonia (GFCC): Advancing Gender Equality through Inclusive Grassroots Football

Implementing entity (beneficiary or donor state entity): The Football Association of Norway

Partner(s) (minimum one donor state entity): Estonian Football Association

Allocation (total sum): 9 6626 EUR (2026/2027)

Short description of the initiative: (background, aim, participants, activity plan, budget outline, communication and dissemination

Background / Rationale

The Football Association of Norway (NFF) is Norway’s largest children and youth organisation (400,000 members) and a pioneer in grassroots and women’s football. NFF’s work is complemented by the Estonian Football Association (EJL), the governing body for football in Estonia, founded in 1921 and headquartered in Tallinn. EJL has adopted a strategic action plan aimed at strengthening women’s football and increasing girls’ participation, supported by improved coordination, guidance, and collaboration with clubs nationwide. However, the availability of qualified female coaches remains a critical prerequisite for achieving these ambitions. Together, NFF and EJL are broad-based, membership-driven sports organisations with deep local reach, and important civil society actors in their respective countries, well-positioned to advance inclusion, participation, trust, and rights-based community engagement through football.

NFF has more than 20 years of international experience delivering structured grassroots programs and women-only coaching education in multiple regions, with a clear focus on inclusion, safe sport, and sustainable local structures for girls’ participation. NFF’s international women-focused grassroots coaching program (Grassroots Football Coaching Course - GFCC) has a central place in this work. The program is built on principles aligned with the grassroots/UEFA C pathway and is delivered by highly qualified instructors. Over the last six years it has been implemented in more than 15 countries with strong results in growing the number of women coaches and strengthening local girls’ football activity.

Gender equality and equal access to participation in civil society remain key priorities under the Bilateral Fund. In football, structural gender imbalances persist, particularly at grassroots level, where girls’ access to organised activity is often limited by a lack of female role models, qualified coaches, and inclusive local structures.

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This initiative responds to the following challenge: unequal opportunities for girls and women to participate and take leadership roles in grassroots football.

By increasing the number of qualified female coaches and strengthening inclusive local activity structures, the project contributes directly to gender equality, in line with the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025, which emphasises equal participation, leadership opportunities, and the removal of structural barriers for women and girls across all areas of society, including sport (European Commission). Participation in team sports is consistently associated with positive social outcomes, including a sense of belonging, social support, and resilience, as highlighted in EU research on sport and social inclusion, which recognises organised sport as an important arena for building social capital, well-being, and community cohesion (European Commission)

Improved physical and mental health outcomes for girls are recognised as important secondary effects of increased participation in safe, regular football activity. EU indicators shows that girls across Europe are on average less physically active than boys, reflecting structural barriers and unequal access to attractive activity arenas (Eurostat, PLOS+1). Increasing girls’ participation in football therefore supports both equal opportunities and improved physical and mental health.

NFF’s experience shows that female coaches are a key enabler for recruiting and retaining girls in football, particularly where football is perceived as male-dominated. More women in coaching and leadership strengthens trust among families, supports safeguarding culture, and helps create safer and more welcoming environments for girls. Safeguarding is also directly linked to equal opportunities for girls in football: safe, respectful sport settings reduce risks of harm and bullying, and are widely recognised as central to girl’s positive sport experiences and well-being (European Commission). By integrating safeguarding competence into coach education, the project strengthens both the protective environment around children and the conditions needed for sustained participation, thereby supporting gender-equal access to sport.

In addition, the course includes a dedicated Football Fitness & Health module (youth football). The module equips the course participants with practical knowledge on age-appropriate training, injury prevention, basic nutrition, and how regular, enjoyable activity can promote long-term movement habits, resilience, and positive mental health—particularly for girls who are at risk of lower activity levels. This is especially important from a gender equality perspective, as European evidence shows that girls face structural barriers to sustained participation in physical activity, and that early access to safe, supportive, and well-adapted sport environments is critical for reducing gender gaps in physical activity (EIGE ; WHO).

Finally, football is the world’s largest sport and has exceptional reach and cultural relevance, also in Norway and Estonia. Beyond football’s direct contribution on gender equality, the sport is a powerful platform for communicating evidence-based messages on equal opportunities and rights-based participation (Council of the European Union - EU Work Plan for Sport 2024–2027). This communication potential will be actively used throughout the project to raise public awareness and strengthen broader societal support for girls’ participation and safe grassroots sport.

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Overall aim

To advance gender equality by strengthening women’s access to education, leadership, and participation in grassroots football, through the implementation of a women-focused coaching course program that increases girls’ (aged 6–16) opportunities to participate in safe, inclusive local football activity in Estonia.

Specific objectives

1. Increase women’s participation and leadership in grassroots football by training and certifying female coaches through NFF’s internationally tested GFCC program (aligned with grassroots/UEFA C principles).

2. Strengthen inclusive and safe grassroots environments by integrating safeguarding principles and rights-based coaching practices into coach education.

3. Expand girls’ access to organised football activity by using practical course elements, including Girls’ Football Festivals and a structured practice period, as recruitment and activation arenas.

4. Promote gender equality and equal opportunities through visibility, communication, and role modelling, using football’s strong societal platform.

5. Lay the foundation for a long-term partnership between NFF and EJL, positioning the course program as the first step in a broader cooperation on women’s coaching, leadership pathways, and grassroots development.

The Coaching Course program/ Participants / Target groups / Beneficiaries

The coaching course is structured as a blended, step-by-step learning pathway combining digital learning, practical application, and follow-up. It begins with an e-learning module introducing the principles of children’s football. This is followed by Course Part 1 on children’s football, delivered as an in-person program combining theory and practical sessions, and including a Girls’ Football Festival for approximately 240 girls, which serves as a supervised learning and recruitment arena. Each newly qualified female coach will receive an equipment package—including balls, cones, bibs, a pump, and basic training equipment— designed to enable the immediate start-up and sustainable delivery of local girls’ football activities.

In the mid-phase period, participants establish local training groups and conduct regular training sessions, supported by two mandatory e-learning modules on Safeguarding and Football Fitness & Health. The program concludes with Course Part 2 on youth football, delivered as an in-person course combining theory and practice, followed by structured follow-up of the trained coaches to support retention, quality, and continued activity over time.

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The courses are delivered by instructors from NFF’s international instructor pool, all with extensive experience from implementing NFF’s international grassroots coaching program for women in multiple countries and with strong competence in grassroots development, safeguarding, and women-focused coach education.

Throughout the course program, all participants are registered and followed up through NFF’s dedicated international digital learning platform, which provides access to the mandatory e-learning modules and course materials, and enables participants to register and document their practical coaching activities during the practice period through structured reporting, including photos and videos.

The direct participants are female coaching candidates (aspiring grassroots coaches) recruited by EJL with technical support from NFF. The direct beneficiaries are girls aged 6–16 who participate in the festival and subsequent local training groups, as well as families and local communities who benefit from increased access to safe, positive physical activity opportunities and improved community cohesion. Indirect beneficiaries include local clubs/academies and EJL structures that will be strengthened through a larger pool of qualified female coaches and improved safeguarding competence, supporting sustainable girls’ football activity and safer grassroots environments over time. Furthermore, the broader population benefits from heightened public awareness of football’s role in gender equality and equal access to participation in civil society and public health, supported by the strong outreach and visibility of the national football associations.

Communication and dissemination

The project will use football’s broad reach and strong public interest to disseminate key messages on equal opportunities in sport. Planned measures include:

• Joint communication by NFF and EJL (web, social media, photo/video storytelling) around the course milestones and festival.

• A high-level visibility moment in Tallinn linked to one of the in-person course blocks, where the Presidents from the two football associations meet to highlight gender equality and equal opportunities.

• Proactive media outreach to national media in Estonia and Norway, and invitations to relevant public stakeholders to emphasise sport as an inclusive civic arena for girls.

• Dissemination of learnings and results within EJL’s club network to encourage replication.

Long-term partnership between NFF and EJL

NFF and EJL have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding expressing their mutual intention to

cooperate on the development of girls’ and women’s football. This application concerns the initial phase of a

broader, long-term partnership between NFF and EJL. While the present project focuses specifically on

gender equality through two coaching course cycle, it is designed as a strategic entry point to a multi-year

cooperation encompassing additional female coaching courses and leadership programs, as well as

organisational development initiatives. NFF and EJL share a clear intention to build a value-based partnership

grounded in democratic values, human rights and non-discrimination, health, gender equality and the

empowerment of women and girls, safeguarding, and inclusion of vulnerable groups. As such, the project

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forms an integral part of a coherent, long-term approach to strengthening gender equality through

grassroots football in Estonia.

Budget outline

The budget is structured by course program and aligned with a lump sum approach, where payments are

linked to the implementation of each coaching course program. The budget covers two course programs to

be implemented in 2026 and 2027 respectively.

Course Program 1 (2026) includes all core costs related to course delivery, including international instructor

travel and fees, accommodation and full board for participants, instructors and staff, venue and pitch rental,

course materials, translation of manuals, access to NFF’s digital learning platform, delivery of a Girls’ Football

Festival, local transport of participants, and direct project administration and coordination by NFF and the

Estonian Football Association (EJL).

Course Program 2 (2027) follows the same structure and objectives but is budgeted at a lower level. This

reflects reuse of course manuals and learning materials, established delivery systems, and reduced

coordination workload. No translation or development costs are included in the second year, and

administrative costs are reduced accordingly.

The digital learning platform is owned by NFF, which pays an annual license fee to the company that

developed the platform in order to use this technical solution. In this project, NFF fully covers the license

granting participants access to the system. The platform supports a blended learning model combining e-

learning, on-site practical training, and continuous individual follow-up of each coach throughout the course.

In addition, participant-related operational costs arise, including technical support, follow-up and storage of

reports (videos, photos, etc.), and the preparation of statistics covering more than eight months of activity,

including the practical period. NFF covers more than 50% of these operational costs, while EEA and Norway

Grants co-funds the remaining share.

All budget lines represent direct, eligible costs necessary for implementation of the coaching course

programs. External audit costs are excluded, as proof of condition will be used. The budget ensures cost

efficiency, clarity, and full consistency with the planned results and activity plan.

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Activity plan 2026

Activity Time Location Cost Participants

Project kick-off & detailed planning (logistics, recruitment plan, safeguarding plan, comms plan)

March Online + Estonia (clubs/regions)

Covered by NFF/EJL NFF project team, EJL coordinator

E-learning: Introduction to Children’s Football (mandatory - completion tracked in learning platform)

April Online NFF fully covers the annual digital learning platform license granting participant access, and also covers more than 50% of participant- related operational costs, while EEA and Norway Grants co-funds the remaining share of these operational costs, including technical support, report follow-up/storage, statistics etc.

24 Female coaches

Coaching Course Part 1: Children’s football (including Girls’ Football Festival and visit by the NFF and EJL presidents.

April Tallinn EEA and Norway Grants (accommodation, pitch, equipment to participants, event logistics, safeguarding measures)

1 NFF representative, 2 Norwegian instructors; 24 female coaches; 1 EJL support staff, 240 girls (8–12 years), 2 football presidents

E-learning: Safeguarding (mandatory - completion tracked in learning platform)

May-June Online NFF fully covers the annual digital learning platform license granting participant access, and also covers more than 50% of participant- related operational costs, while EEA and Norway Grants co-funds the remaining share of these operational costs, including technical support, report follow-up/storage, statistics etc.

Coaches

Mid-phase coaching period: coaches deliver local training for girls (supported monitoring/mentoring through the )

May-

October

Coaches’ local communities

On-site follow-up of coaches covered by NFF/EJL. Digital follow-up: NFF fully covers the annual digital learning platform license granting participant access, and also covers more than 50% of participant-related operational costs, while EEA and Norway Grants co-funds the remaining share of these

Coaches + local girls’ groups + clubs

7

operational costs, including technical support, report follow-up/storage, statistics in the mid-phase coaching period.

E-learning: Football Fitness & Health – linking activity to physical & mental health and healthy habits (mandatory - completion tracked in learning platform)

September–

October

Online NFF fully covers the annual platform license granting participant access, and also covers more than 50% of participant-related operational costs, while EEA and Norway Grants co- funds the remaining share of these operational costs, including technical support, report follow-up/storage, statistics etc.

All female coaches

Coaching Course Part 2: Youth Football (consolidation, youth football principles, assessment, next-step planning)

November–

December

Tallinn EEA and Norway Grants (accommodation, pitch, equipment to participants, event logistics, safeguarding measures)

1 NFF representative, 2 Norwegian instructors; 24 female coaches; 1 EJL support staff, 40 girls/players for the practical sessions (13–16 years)

Communication & dissemination package: media outreach, social media storytelling, stakeholder engagement event in Tallinn

April -

December

Tallinn, Oslo, Social Media

Covered by NFF/EJL communications department

NFF/EJL comms; media; invited stakeholders

Administration, financial management, reporting

March -

December

EEA and Norway Grants NFF/EJL

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Activity plan 2027

Activity Time Location Cost Participants

Project kick-off & detailed planning (logistics, recruitment plan, safeguarding plan, comms plan)

March Online + Estonia (clubs/regions)

Covered by NFF/EJL NFF project team, EJL coordinator

E-learning: Introduction to Children’s Football (mandatory - completion tracked in learning platform)

April Online NFF fully covers the annual digital learning platform license granting participant access, and also covers more than 50% of participant- related operational costs, while EEA and Norway Grants co-funds the remaining share of these operational costs, including technical support, report follow-up/storage, statistics etc.

24 Female coaches

Coaching Course Part 1: Children’s football (including Girls’ Football Festival and visit by the NFF and EJL presidents.

April Tallinn EEA and Norway Grants (accommodation, pitch, equipment to participants, event logistics, safeguarding measures)

1 NFF representative, 2 Norwegian instructors; 24 female coaches; 1 EJL support staff, 240 girls (8–12 years), 2 football presidents

E-learning: Safeguarding (mandatory - completion tracked in learning platform)

May-June Online NFF fully covers the annual digital learning platform license granting participant access, and also covers more than 50% of participant- related operational costs, while EEA and Norway Grants co-funds the remaining share of these operational costs, including technical support, report follow-up/storage, statistics etc.

Coaches

Mid-phase coaching period: coaches deliver local training for girls (supported monitoring/mentoring through the )

May-

October

Coaches’ local communities

On-site follow-up of coaches covered by NFF/EJL. Digital follow-up: NFF fully covers the annual digital learning platform license granting participant access, and also covers more than 50% of participant-related operational costs, while EEA and Norway Grants co-funds the remaining share of these

Coaches + local girls’ groups + clubs

9

operational costs, including technical support, report follow-up/storage, statistics in the mid-phase coaching period.

E-learning: Football Fitness & Health – linking activity to physical & mental health and healthy habits (mandatory - completion tracked in learning platform)

September–

October

Online NFF fully covers the annual platform license granting participant access, and also covers more than 50% of participant-related operational costs, while EEA and Norway Grants co- funds the remaining share of these operational costs, including technical support, report follow-up/storage, statistics etc.

All female coaches

Coaching Course Part 2: Youth Football (consolidation, youth football principles, assessment, next-step planning)

November–

December

Tallinn EEA and Norway Grants (accommodation, pitch, equipment to participants, event logistics, safeguarding measures)

1 NFF representative, 2 Norwegian instructors; 24 female coaches; 1 EJL support staff, 40 girls/players for the practical sessions (13–16 years)

Communication & dissemination package: media outreach, social media storytelling, stakeholder engagement event in Tallinn

April -

December

Tallinn, Oslo, Social Media

Covered by NFF/EJL communications department

NFF/EJL comms; media; invited stakeholders

Administration, financial management, reporting

March -

December

EEA and Norway Grants NFF/EJL

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Planned results 2026/2027

OUTPUT INDICATOR TARGET COMMENTS PROOF OF CONDITION

Coaching

course

program 1

2026

First

coaching

course

program

implemented

1

Foreseen:

24 women enrolled;

22 women certified/qualified (after

course part 2);

240 girls participate in Girls’

Football Festival

264+ girls reached through regular

local training groups during the

practical period;

22 women completing the

Safeguarding module

22 women completing the Football

Fitness & Health module

8 communication and visibility

activities implemented;

6 coordination and follow-up

sessions conducted.

Report describing what has

been implemented; agendas

for Course Part 1 and

Course Part 2; registration

sheets / participants lists;

confirmation of completed

e-learning modules from

the digital learning

platform; basic photo

documentation and

communication outputs.

Coaching

course

program 2

2027

Second

coaching

course

program

implemented

1

Foreseen:

24 women enrolled;

22 women certified/qualified (after

course part 2);

240 girls participate in Girls’

Football Festival

264+ girls reached through regular

local training groups during the

practical period;

22 women completing the

Safeguarding module

22 women completing the Football

Fitness & Health module

8 communication and visibility

activities implemented;

6 coordination and follow-up

sessions conducted.

Report describing what has

been implemented; agendas

for Course Part 1 and

Course Part 2; registration

sheets/ participants lists;

confirmation of completed

e-learning modules from

the digital learning

platform; basic photo

documentation and

communication outputs.

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…………………………………………………………………………. Karl Petter Løken General secretary The Norwegian Football Association