FIFA has launched eight women's football development programmes for member associations for the 2020 to 2023 period ©Getty Images

FIFA has launched eight women's football development programmes for member associations for the 2020 to 2023 period.

The programmes have been launched to further develop women's football on a sustainable basis, while simultaneously pushing it forward.

All 211 member associations are now set to have the opportunity to apply for and access additional resources and specialist expertise to develop women's football at a national level.

This will be across eight key areas of women's football development, including club licensing, league development and coach mentorship and education.  

"The top-class football and billion-plus television viewers of last year's FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 in France showed just how far the women's game has come," said FIFA's chief women's football officer Sarai Bareman. 

"Our goal is to bring it ever more into the mainstream and working hand in hand with our member associations will allow us to do this and make women's football accessible to everybody."

FIFA's chief women’s football officer Sarai Bareman said she wanted to make the sport accessible to everybody ©Getty Images
FIFA's chief women’s football officer Sarai Bareman said she wanted to make the sport accessible to everybody ©Getty Images

FIFA will offer financial assistance to cover the costs in selected programmes.

The programme underlines FIFA's commitment to supporting member associations in developing the women's game, in line with the governing body's women's football strategy. 

It also follows the recent announcement of an additional $500,000 (£387,000/€422,000) grant per member association, as part of the COVID-19 relief plan, that will be specifically allocated to women's football.

"FIFA's commitment to supporting our member associations in developing women's football remains one of our top priorities," said FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura. 

"In addition to the funding currently available via the COVID-19 women's football grant and the FIFA forward programme, the FIFA women's football development programme will provide more support and assistance to member associations so that they can invest in the women's game at all levels."