Background

Gazprom is a global energy company. Its major business lines are geological exploration, production, transportation, storage, processing and sales of gas, gas condensate and oil, sales of gas as a vehicle fuel as well as generation and marketing of heat and electric power.

Gazprom views its mission in reliable, efficient and balanced supply of natural gas, other energy resources and their derivatives to consumers. The company holds leading positions in Russian power energy sector and is one of the largest Russian oil producers.

Gazprom holds the world's largest natural gas reserves. Its share in the global and Russian gas reserves makes up 17 and 72 per cent respectively. Gazprom accounts for 13 and 73 per cent of the global and Russian gas output accordingly. At present, the Company actively implements large-scale projects aimed at exploiting gas resources of the Yamal Peninsula, Arctic Shelf, Eastern Siberia and the Far East, as well as hydrocarbons exploration and production projects abroad.

Together with active business development, Gazprom pays much attention to social projects. In particular, the company provides support to a number of sports organizations and events of both international and global scale. Gazprom is the official partner of UEFA Champions League, offering support to the UEFA Super Cup, as well as a whole range of world famous football clubs – German Schalke 04, UK Chelsea and Serbian Crvena Zvezda.

Gazprom is a permanent sponsor of FC Zenit, hockey clubs SKA (St. Petersburg) and Avangard (Omsk region), Zenit-Kazan volleyball club, St. Petersburg Open tournament. The company annually co-finances Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics, volleyball, chess, biathlon and other sports competitions. In its operation areas Gazprom on a regular basis conducts adult and child Spartakiads.

Gazprom for Children program is the Company's largest social project. The program is primarily targeted at creating the environment for harmonious spiritual and physical development of children and teenagers, and helping them to discover and implement their potential.

The program embraces 73 Russian regions. 45 Gazprom subsidiaries and organizations take part in the program as well as 50 regional gas companies forming part of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz Group. In 2007–2013, the Program's budget was 26,9 bln. rubles. These funds, in particular, have already been used for construction and reconstruction of more than 1000 sports facilities. Moreover, within the framework of the Program, Gazprom has been engaging coaches and teachers, providing sports departments and activity groups with required equipment, conducting festivals and sport events.

Football for Friendship international children's social project has been implemented by Gazprom within its Gazprom for Children social program.

Football for Friendship annual international children's forum is the major event of the project. The first Forum was held on May 25, 2013 in London, during which its delegates from 8 European countries (Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia and UK) prepared Open Letter with the key principles of the project: traditions, peace, friendship, victory, health, equality, fair play and devotion. The letter was signed by the representative of each country, and the project's Global Ambassador Franz Beckenbauer. The document was sent to Joseph Blatter, President of the International Football Federation (FIFA), Michel Platini, President of the European Football Association Union (UEFA) and Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee. In September 2013, project participants had a meeting with Joseph Blatter, who confirmed the receipt of the letter, saying he was proud to be one of the people it had been addressed to.

Additional details on the project can be found at website.