News (engl.)

The UEFA EURO 2024 Climate Fund has officially concluded, resulting in a total of €7.925 million invested in sustainable initiatives across Germany’s grassroots football landscape. All 66 required contracts were finalised by 1st June 2025, marking the successful completion of one of UEFA's key sustainability projects linked to the European Championship.

Major Boost for Amateur Football

As part of UEFA’s broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy for EURO 2024, the Climate Fund aimed to make the tournament a benchmark for sustainable sporting events. In total, UEFA allocated €30.6 million for ESG initiatives, with the Climate Fund forming a central pillar of this commitment.

Of the €7.925 million fund, €5.825 million was invested directly in club-level sustainability projects, while €2.1 million was distributed to regional football associations. Funding covered a wide range of environmental improvements – from photovoltaic and battery storage systems to LED floodlight retrofits, bicycle parking, electric vehicle infrastructure, and smart irrigation systems.

Local Projects, Nationwide Impact

Grassroots clubs across the country responded with enthusiasm. FC Augsfeld, for instance, had long hoped to upgrade their lighting system: “Installing an LED floodlight system had been a goal for years, but the costs always got in the way. Thanks to the UEFA Climate Fund, we could finally make it happen.”

ASC Schöppingen 1945 also praised the initiative: “The timeline from application to implementation was incredibly fast. A huge thank you to the Climate Fund!”

In total, 225 grassroots clubs implemented projects with funding support. Final documentation has already been submitted and verified by 211 clubs, with the remaining 14 still within their reporting deadlines. Thirteen of 21 regional associations have also finalised their project documentation, with the rest expected in due course.

Sustainable Legacy for German Football

Among the most impactful projects were the installation of solar energy systems and battery storage, as FC Dettighofen noted: “We’re proud to have installed our own PV system thanks to the Climate Fund. This is a big step forward for our club and our members.”

The Climate Fund leaves behind a meaningful legacy, demonstrating how major international tournaments can benefit grassroots football well beyond the final whistle. With nearly €8 million invested, the initiative sets a strong precedent for sustainable development in amateur sport – in Germany and across Europe.

Support for clubs continues beyond EURO 2024

Even after the conclusion of UEFA EURO 2024, the German Football Association (DFB) is continuing its commitment to climate action in football. As part of this effort, all amateur clubs in Germany now have access to the free DFB Climate Balance Tool. Using this tool, clubs can calculate their individual seasonal carbon footprint, identify potential areas for emissions reduction, and implement suitable climate protection measures. Following a relaunch in collaboration with the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), the tool is now also available to non-football sports clubs without a DFB login – making it even easier to get started. The tool was developed as part of the “ANSTOSS FÜR GRÜN – Climate Action in Amateur Football” project.