Club Licensing Workshop organized by FFM | FFM

The Licensing Department of the Football Federation of Macedonia (FFM), within the framework of the program for support and training of clubs in the licensing process for obtaining a license for UEFA competitions, as well as national championship competitions (First MFL, Second MFL and First JMFL), held a six-day workshop (25.11.2024 - 02.12.2024.) at the "House of Football".

This workshop was attended by persons authorized by their clubs for the licensing process, as well as the general secretaries of the clubs that will compete in UEFA competitions and National Championship matches in the 2025/26 season. 

Within the workshop, participants discussed the following topics and activities:

1. Introduction to club licensing:

• Basic principles and goals of club licensing.
• The importance of club licenses, with an emphasis on finance, management and development.

Key licensing criteria:

• Sports criteria: club successes, development of youth categories, participation in leagues.
• Infrastructure criteria: Stadiums, security.
• Administrative-Personal criteria: organization, transparency, coaches, doctors, physiotherapists, safety commissioners.
• Social Responsibility Criteria: Strategy and policy for the protection and well-being of youth.
• Legal criteria: management processes, legal structure.
• Financial criteria: budget analysis, financial sustainability and transparency.

The application and screening process:

• Setting up plans and preparing application documents.
• Process of checking compliance with the conditions by the experts involved in the process.
• Deadlines and important aspects when submitting documents.

Ethics and regulations in sports management:

• How to avoid abuses and how to maintain fair competition.

Practical training and case studies:

• Working in groups to use the new IT licensing tool - MuComet.
• Presentation of previously successful examples from clubs that have successfully gone through the licensing process.

Communication with the licensing department:

• Effective communication in the club licensing process is essential for the successful fulfillment of the criteria and obtaining the license. Clubs should have an organized approach to communicating with all stakeholders, ensure transparency at all stages of the process, and maintain professional relationships with the licensing department and staff.

The aim of these workshops/trainings is to provide participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to enable their club to successfully go through the club licensing process, to optimize their operations and to support the sustainability of the club. Upon completion of the training, they will be prepared to meet all the criteria and face the challenges on the path to a successful licensing process.

Aleksandra Gjurchinovska – Club Licensing Department

"The licensing process for clubs participating in UEFA competitions in particular is crucial to ensuring high standards in European football. This process not only ensures that clubs meet the standards for participation in international competitions, but also ensures that the integrity and quality of competitions are maintained, which is essential for the development of football at all levels."

As the Football Federation of Macedonia, our role in this process is of great importance. Our support and assistance to clubs in preparing for licensing not only facilitates these efforts, but also significantly contributes to their success in international competitions.

Our role is to support clubs through various training, consultancy and technical assistance to meet the strict criteria for UEFA and national licensing. This not only helps clubs qualify for participation in European competitions, but also ensures the long-term development and stability of Macedonian football. Every effort made to support clubs is an investment in the future of the sport, which will contribute to better quality of matches and the development of football culture in Macedonia.".