BSC Young Boys

BSC Young Boys

The main focus of the social engagement of BSC Young Boys is on three topics: Racism and Discrimination, Children’s health and education, and Mental Health. The CSR activities are planned and organised by the club’s marketing department, but the whole club gets involved in the implementation. Corporate social responsibility is one of six pillars of the club’s overall strategy and gets, therefore, its well-deserved attention. The club’s claim “Young Boys forever”, which dates back to the year of foundation in 1898, is slightly adapted to all communication campaigns regarding CSR: From #ybforever to #ybforeveryone, a statement to show the club’s openness towards all people.

BSC Young Boys against racism, violence…

On March 21th 2021, the International Day against racism, BSC Young Boys played their match against FC Zurich in a special jersey, completely in black, including the YB logo, champions badge and sponsor prints. Various anti-discrimination messages in the mother tongues of all YB players were integrated into the player numbers. YB is sending another strong signal against racism, for openness and against discrimination. The claim #YBFOREVERYONE can also be found on the bottom of the jersey. Fabian Lustenberger wore a rainbow-colored captain’s armband in this game. The original YB special jerseys from the game against FCZ were then auctioned on the club’s platform in favor of the Bern organization GGGFON (Together against violence and racism). 

FARE Action Weeks

Since 2001, BSC Young Boys takes part in the FARE Action Weeks and sends out a statement against Racism, Violence and Discrimination in sports and in society.

One main project during those weeks is a yearly auction of original match-worn shirts. All proceeds are handed over to organisations that tackle discrimination in football and society. Thanks to the generosity of Young Boys supporters, who share the club’s mindset regarding racism and discrimination, a substantial amount of money is sent to those organisations.

Besides the auction, BSC Young Boys is happy to invite yearly up to 400 refugees to a home game as part of the activities during the FARE Action Weeks. The club and its players spread the word against racism and discrimination with communication campaigns across all channels.

Arche Fonds

Since 2015, BSC Young Boys supports “Arche Fonds”. This organisation enables children with cancer to spend one week on holiday with their families without having to let go of the necessary medical support. The families are accompanied by medical staff from a local hospital and can continue their treatments outside the hospital. The BSC Young Boys organise actions to raise money and awareness for this organisation and players visit the children during their holiday.

Batzebär

Another organisation that supports sick children and their families is “Batzebär”. It also raises money to improve the education of nursing staff and to enable research on children’s diseases. Every year, players and staff members from BSC Young Boys visit a local children’s hospital to bring gifts and joy to the youngest patients and to raise awareness for “Batzebär”.

YB Kids Club

A member club established for the youngest generation of YB fans. Children under 16 years can become a member of the YB Kids Club. Each member gets gifts and birthday wishes from the club and gets a free ticket twice a season. Additionally, the kids get invited to participate in several exclusive events throughout the year, such as a kids press conference with players, accompanied journeys to away games, workshops about racism and tolerance in football, workshops to create their own YB book, visits to the local zoo and many more. As often as possible, these events include meetings with the players of BSC Young Boys.

Mental Health

Together with the foundation “Pro Mente Sana”, BSC Young Boys raise awareness and foster the understanding of mental illnesses. Mental illnesses are still a taboo subject and are seen as a weakness. With a series of communication campaigns over the next years, YB wants to talk about this taboo and highlight how important the awareness of mental illnesses is – not only in football, but in life in general.