The aim of the project, which is being implemented as part of the climate plan, is to provide concrete, sport-specific recommendations with checklists to help. In addition, a guide will provide information on sustainability issues and show funding opportunities. The aim is to give sports clubs and their members - especially those run on a voluntary basis - ideas on how they can make their day-to-day activities more sustainable. Stefan Günther, Head of the Sports and Pool Office, is delighted about the start of the cooperation: "Sport can not only promote health, but also sustainability. As implementation is not always easy, we want to provide sports clubs with uncomplicated but reliable tips. The more clubs take part, the more sport contributes to Bonn's sustainability strategy."
The checklists and guidelines are based on action tips (opens in a new tab) that the Sports and Pool Office, the SSB and representatives of sports clubs developed in a workshop in 2021. They cover four fields of action in Bonn's sustainability strategy and are based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (opens in a new tab) (SDGs). "The SDGs are primarily aimed at government activities and are often difficult for the association base to grasp. We want to change that. We have made a start with our action tips, now it's about expanding them for sports clubs and making them even more accessible," explains Ute Pilger, first chairwoman of the Stadtsportbund.
Best practice examples from other sports organizations, such as the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), and the experience of the ZNU - Center for Sustainable Leadership at Witten/Herdecke University will also be taken into account. "The ZNU standard 'Sustainable Management' has proven to be well suited to providing structures for greater sustainability and placing our own work within a broader framework. The new initiative therefore benefits from its credibility and we look forward to contributing our experience in areas such as climate protection and resource-conserving purchasing," explains Dr. Axel Kölle from the ZNU.
Expertise from associations and the aim of an initiative
In workshops, the Sports and Pool Office, the SSB and the ZNU present their collected practical suggestions for more sustainability to some sports clubs. They can evaluate the suggestions and add sport-specific recommendations.
The focus is on topics such as club organization, youth work, environmentally friendly mobility concepts, inclusion, integration and resource-saving sporting events. The process will begin with a kick-off meeting on April 10, 2024 and is expected to be completed by the start of the summer vacations. The results will then be used to develop participation and funding conditions for the "More sustainable sports clubs in Bonn" initiative. The aim is for as many different sports clubs from Bonn as possible to join.