EFDN Member of the Month – November 2024

EFDN Member of the Month – November 2024

We are thrilled to announce BSC Young Boys Bern as our EFDN Member of the Month for November! This month, we had the honor of speaking with Timon Lanz, who leads sustainability and CSR activities at the club, to learn more about their outstanding efforts in using football as a catalyst for positive social and environmental impact.

This recognition highlights the exceptional work of our member clubs, leagues, and football associations in advancing social responsibility through innovative programs. Each month, we spotlight an organization for their leadership, creativity, and dedication to making a difference. The selected member receives exclusive visibility across our network to inspire others with their impactful initiatives.

To celebrate BSC Young Boys Bern’s nomination, Timon Lanz shared his personal journey, the club’s initiatives, and the values driving their work with us.

Please give us a short introduction of yourself: name, age, role, and how long you’ve been with the organization.

“My name is Timon Lanz, I’m 29 years old, and I’ve been responsible for sustainability and CSR activities at BSC Young Boys Bern since May 2024.”

What makes you smile in your role?

“I am convinced that I have the chance to make a real difference with my job. The emotional connection to football enables people in my position to achieve sustainable change more quickly.”

What inspired you to work in the CSR/ESG field, and what drew you to making a difference in the football industry specifically?

“Since I chose sustainable development as my degree program, I was convinced that I wanted to make a difference in this field in the future. As I have always been a big football fan, BSC Young Boys gave me the opportunity to combine two passions. Through the increasing exchange with other football clubs, I am inspired every day by their activities and endeavours to do more and more in Bern.”

What core values guide your foundation’s work, and how do you ensure your initiatives have a lasting impact?

“Our mission as a club is to be more than football. Our football stands for diversity, openness, and respect, and it should be accessible to all population groups. It should be a driver of change and development, not exclude people who are different.”

What’s your favorite project, and why?

“Switzerland is a very diverse country that is home to many different nationalities. My favorite project is therefore the ‘Tournament for Integration’, which took place in the summer. Here, 100 participants, regardless of origin, nationality, age, and gender, were divided into teams and were able to compete against each other in tournament mode for an entire afternoon at the Wankdorf stadium. It was obvious what boundaries and barriers football can break down and how much the love of football unites people.”

Can you share a memorable story that showcases the positive impact of your foundation’s work?

“Every year, we give children who are or were patients at Bern Children’s Hospital the opportunity to walk into the stadium with the first team. This year, a little girl who relies on a wheelchair in her everyday life also took part. On match day, however, she insisted on walking all the way from the changing room to the pitch and back again. Despite the effort, the girl always had a smile on her face. It touched me deeply to see that a day like this means much more to sick children than we will ever realize.”

Read further news from BSC Young Boys Bern here