FIFA doubles the 2015-18 budget (€16.2 million) for women's football development programs

Development funds allocated to the women's game for the 2015-2018 cycle will be doubled, announced FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) on 12/09/2014. $21m (€16.2m) will be allocated for the 2015-18 period, against €7.93m during the 2011-14 cycle.

FIFA also published its 2015-2018 guidelines and development programs for women's football on 12/09/2014. The national federations can choose between nine types of programs in four areas: competition, management, education and promotion (see below).

"FIFA expects and helps its member associations and the confederations to support and develop women’s football. A lot of progress has been made but there is much more work that can be done by the global football community to harness its true potential for growth," stated the regulatory body.

All FIFA member associations can benefit from development programs. They have until mid-October of each year to submit their budget requests to the FIFA Development Office.