DFL and DFB support further education program on sustainability in sports
2024-10-02 German football associations are once again cooperating with Leuphana University Lüneburg
Lüneburg/Frankfurt a.M. This fall, the newly launched continuing education program "Sustainability Management in Sports and Sports Organizations" starts at Leuphana University Lüneburg. At Leuphana's Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM), professionals and students acquire comprehensive knowledge to help shape amateur and professional sports in a responsible and future-oriented way. The German Football League (DFL) and the German Football Association (DFB) are jointly supporting the training program and contributing their expertise to the curriculum.
The DFL was one of the initiators of the educational program. Marika Bernhard, Head of Sustainability at the DFL, says: “Sustainability is an important topic for the future, including for professional sports. With our commitment and the integration of sustainability into the licensing of the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2, we are pioneers. Nevertheless, there is still a lot to be done: in order to increase the impact across the board, it is essential to enable the people in the associations and clubs to expand their expertise in the area of sustainability. That is why we support the further education program offered by Leuphana.”
The German Football Association will pass on the offer to the clubs of the 3rd division and the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga. Stefanie Schulte, Head of Sustainability at the DFB, says: “The clubs of the 3rd division and Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga have also committed themselves to introducing ambitious sustainability criteria; in a voluntary test phase this season, and planned to be mandatory from the new season onwards. This qualification program is an important component of our support for our clubs.”
The part-time online course lasts six months and includes a two-day in-person event, but the respective modules can also be taken individually. Participants in the program deal with the basics of sustainability management, sustainability communication, and topics such as mobility, energy, supply chains, and circular economies. In addition, the program focuses on social issues, such as health and inclusion. Leuphana sustainability expert Prof. Dr. Stefan Schaltegger heads the program.
The new cohort will start in October 2024; applications can be submitted via the website until then.