Award

Sepp Herberger Awards

Annual awards for outstanding voluntary commitment in organized football with prize money totaling up to €100,000 in various categories. Applications can be submitted via an online form.

Sports Social Social Cohesion/Democracy

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Grant criteria

Application Deadline: Ongoing
Application level: Advanced
Region: Germany (nationwide)
Funding amount: Total prize money up to €100,000 distributed across categories; individual prizes between €5,000 and €12,500.

Funding objective

Recognition and promotion of outstanding voluntary commitment in organized football and creation of visible examples of football's integrative power.

Eligible to apply

  • Interest Groups and Other Associations
  • Public Institutions
  • Individuals

Funding requirements

  • Actor in organized football (e.g., regional association, club, individual, referees' association)
  • Practical example in one of the categories (disability football, resocialization, school & club, social work)
  • Submission via the online form on the program website

Evaluation criteria

  • Innovative value of the commitment
  • Integrative power in football
  • Sustainability of the projects

Description

The Sepp Herberger Awards annually honor outstanding voluntary commitment in organized football and recognize inspiring practical examples in the categories of Disability Football, Resocialization, School & Club, as well as in the Social Work sector (Horst Eckel Prize). With a total funding volume of up to €100,000, the three top winners in each category receive individual prize money ranging from €5,000 to €12,000, while the special prize for football foundations endowed with €12,500 and the Horst Eckel Prize are each awarded €12,500. The award ceremony takes place in the festive setting of a gala and highlights the integrative power of football by publicly showcasing exemplary models of lived inclusion, sustainable structures, and innovative approaches.

Eligible applicants are members of organized football – including DFB regional associations, clubs, individuals, referees’ associations, as well as judicial institutions in the field of resocialization. Applications are accepted continuously via an online form and are evaluated based on the criteria of innovation, integrative strength, and project sustainability. In addition to the main prizes, up to 105 further Sepp Herberger certificates are awarded. This initiative by the DFB Foundation Sepp Herberger promotes social participation in football through this award and creates visible role models for solidarity and community spirit.

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