EFDN Welcomes DFB & DFB Stiftungem to the Network!

EFDN Welcomes DFB & DFB Stiftungem to the Network!

EFDN is very happy to welcome the Deutscher Fußball-Bund and the DFB Stiftungen Egidius Braun und Sepp Herberger (The German FA and the DFB Foundations Egidius Braun and Sepp Herberger) to the Network! The DFB Foundations will use the EFDN platform to get to know new CSR approaches and are looking forward to collaborating via the Network between European leagues, FA’s and clubs on operational and strategic level. They will give valuable insights in their own activities by presenting best practice examples of their work and participate in exchanges.

The German Football Association (DFB) is the association of the 21 regional associations, and the league association in which football is practiced within the country. The most important task of the DFB is the organisation of football in championship games and competitions. The DFB represents the interests of its member associations at home and abroad. The DFB has more than 7.4 million members, making it one of the biggest social networks in Germany. The DFB is affiliated with 24,154 clubs (2023).

The DFB fulfils its socio-political and sports policy responsibilities at international level through various activities. The international work of the DFB is divided into two areas: on the one hand, the International Relations and Strategic Projects Unit strives to create knowledge and added value for German football and its partners through cooperation with other football associations worldwide and through strategic partnerships. On the other hand, the DFB has been carrying out international, football-related CSR projects for more than half a century. Amongst others the DFB supports the German government in its sport-related activities in developing countries and emerging markets.

The DFB Foundation Egidius Braun and the DFB Foundation Sepp Herberger realise and support social and socio-political initiatives and projects throughout Germany and beyond. The focus is on the areas of integration & understanding and inclusion & solidarity.

Egidius Braun was president of the German Football Association (DFB) from 1992 to 2001, Sepp Herberger oversaw the national team for 28 years as national coach and won the first World Cup title with his team on 4 July 1954 in Bern. During their lifetimes, both were highly committed to socially relevant issues and disadvantaged people. With the DFB Cultural Foundation, this commitment was supplemented by the promotion of art and culture, among other things. Together, the three DFB foundations ensure that Egidius Braun’s motto “Football – more than a 1:0” is brought to life in the long term.

DFB Foundation Sepp Herberger:

The social rehabilitation project “Kick-off for a new life” uses football as a catalyst to better prepare prisoners for release, find employment and reduce reoffending. Together with a close network of strong partners such as the federal employment agency, the ministries of justice, the regional Football Associations or professional football clubs, the DFB Foundation Sepp Herberger is engaged in 21 prisons whole over Germany.

The DFB Foundation Sepp Herberger’s commitment to disability football aims to integrate people with disabilities into the organized football structure through various active and passive participation opportunities (e.g. as players, referees, coaches, volunteers, spectators). In line with the motto “Into the middle of society with soccer”, the colorful diversity of disability football is demonstrated to a broad public at the Football Inclusion Days. Numerous footballers with and without disabilities from all over Germany are given the opportunity to participate in a special sporting event that provides unforgettable moments.

Since 2008, the Sepp Herberger Foundation has been organizing the Blind Football Bundesliga together with the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS) and the German Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBSV). The league for blind and visually impaired people is unique in Europe and sets an example for disabled sports.

DFB Foundation Egidius Braun:

Since the DFB Foundation Egidius Braun was established in 2001, “Mexico Aid” has been one of the foundation’s main areas of focus. Together with the children’s missionary organisation “Die Sternsinger”, six educational projects are currently being supported in five Mexican cities. Mexico Aid was launched in the summer of 1986 during the FIFA World Cup in Mexico. Under the impression of need and misery, which they encountered above all during a visit to the orphanage “Casa de Cuna” at the venue Querétaro, the head of the delegation and DFB treasurer Egidius Braun and the national team decided on a spontaneous aid campaign.

The football vacation camps are the central project of the DFB Foundation Egidius Braun. 75 Clubs per year which fulfil special social responsibility in different areas (e. g. inclusion, integration, development of women’s football) are invited to this project. The goal of the football vacation camps is the promotion of social skills of the participating youth players by offering special football training sessions, outdoor education programmes, talks about social values or exchanges with popular football personalities.

The aim of the Egidius Braun Academy is to strengthen young people in their commitment and voluntary work. The academy focuses on improving the personal development of volunteers aged 18 to 30 and making them even better at their voluntary work.

DFB – Football United Against Racism (Fußball Verein(t) Gegen Rassismus):

As part of the “Football United Against Racism” project funded by the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), the DFB is intensifying its activities in the area of social sustainability together with its regional associations and 3rd division clubs.

At four selected locations, the pilot regional associations are expanding the anti-discrimination networks at regional and local level together with a third-division club based in their association’s territory, supported by the DFB’s Social Responsibility and Fan Affairs department. Together with this strong network, they bundle and promote prevention and education efforts in and through football.

DFB – NKI: Climate protection in amateur football:

The project “NKI: Climate protection in amateur football – together on the way to a climate-friendly UEFA EURO 2024” is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) with the National Climate Initiative (NKI) over a period of four years.

The appeal of amateur soccer, together with the EURO 2024 as a unique event in Germany, represents a great opportunity to promote climate protection on a broad scale.

DFB – Carbon Footprint Tool:

A free DFB carbon footprint tool for amateur clubs is available at klimaschutz.dfb.de. The clubs can use this tool to calculate their personal carbon footprint for each season, identify potential reductions and then take appropriate climate protection measures.

Hubert Rovers, CEO of EFDN: “It’s an honour to welcome the DFB and its foundations among our member network. The German FA and the different related foundations make an incredible impact on the football pyramid in Germany and have the possibility to reach professional and grassroot clubs on a strategic level while also developing social initiatives within the country. They are a key player in FSR activities in Europe when it comes to social inclusion and I have no doubt that we can learn a lot from our mutual best practices.”