United by Borussia: Diversity and anti-discrimination

Borussia Dortmund offers a virtually unique platform for bringing people from diverse backgrounds into conversation with one another. Many of them would not talk to each other if it weren't for their shared identification with BVB. In addition, BVB provides guidance on social issues. It acts in a politically neutral, value-based, and democracy-promoting manner. BVB takes a public stance and thus actively fulfills its social responsibility.

Borussia Dortmund sees itself as a mediator, especially when it comes to current social challenges, and stands for diversity and anti-discrimination.

In order to make the measures developed for this purpose as effective as possible, the following five basic components of anti-discrimination work are closely linked: fan work, networking, internal measures, public relations and remembrance work. Together, they form a holistic approach that promotes a diverse society and combats discrimination and the extreme right at all levels.

BVB works on three levels: directly with the participants in its programs, indirectly with the participants' environment, and directly with the general public through BVB's influence. The measures range from educational trips, internal training for employees, events, and workshops to public campaigns.

Every year, Borussia Dortmund offers two memorial trips tracing the history of Dortmund's Jewish community. BVB does not sponsor educational trips organized by external institutions, but only carries out its own projects.

The educational trip to the Lublin region focuses on the history of the Jews who were deported from Dortmund to Zamość in Poland, in what was then the Lublin district, at the end of April 1942. Once there, we visit all the places connected with the fate of the Dortmund deportees. In addition to Zamość itself, these include the memorial sites of the former Sobibor, Belzec, and Majdanek camps.

The educational trip to Oświęcim and the Auschwitz Memorial focuses on the history of the city of Oświęcim and the Auschwitz camp complex. On March 3, 1943, a deportation from Dortmund's South Station also took hundreds of Jews from the city of Dortmund to the Auschwitz camp.

Where and when can I register?

The educational trips are advertised at the beginning of each year. The registration period usually begins at the end of January/beginning of February and ends around the end of February. The selection and binding notification of participants takes place in March of each year. Registration for the trip does not guarantee participation.

Who can participate?

Participation is open to all BVB fans, but the number of participants is limited to 30. Participants should be prepared to walk long distances every day, as the educational trip involves a lot of exploring on foot.

The groups are generally composed of a diverse mix of people. This means that care is taken to ensure a mixed composition when selecting participants. The aim is to create a balanced diversity in each group so that participants can complement each other and learn from one another.

How much does the trip cost?

Participation in the trip costs 50 Euros. This includes travel to and from the destination, accommodation including meals, travel to the memorial sites, and guided tours on site.

How does travel to and from the destination work?

Travel to and from the destination is by plane from Dortmund or Düsseldorf. Local transfers are made by coach.

Is there a preliminary meeting?

To prepare for the trip, a one-day preparatory seminar will be held to introduce all participants to the topic before departure.

The date will be set shortly after the participants have been selected. The preparatory seminar is mandatory for participation in the trip, as the content of the preparatory seminar and the educational trip build on each other.

“United by Borussia” in the BORUSSEUM is the event format through which BVB addresses various topics related to forms of discrimination. In addition to its educational mission, the aim of these events is to create a space for dialogue and open exchange. This format makes it possible to provide multipliers with further offerings and to create opportunities for exchange.

The PANAMA concept was developed to increase fans' sense of security in the stadium. Asking strangers for help in a threatening situation requires courage. The code word “PANAMA” lowers the threshold for asking for help, making it easier to get support.

What does PANAMA mean?

By asking “Where is PANAMA?”, anyone who feels uncomfortable, unsafe, threatened, or harassed in the stadium can get help quickly and easily. This applies to situations such as feeling unwell, overwhelmed, discriminated against, threatened with violence, (sexually) harassed, etc.

The following contact persons will help you immediately:

• PANAMA team
• Security personnel
• Service personnel at the kiosk or mobile stands
• Volunteers
• Paramedics
• Fan representatives
• Fan project

In September 2025, Borussia Dortmund's long-standing Head of Corporate Responsibility, Daniel Lörcher, was awarded the 2025 “Zukunftspreis” by the Israel Foundation in Germany in front of 200 invited guests at the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament in Düsseldorf.

According to the jury's statement, Lörcher's long-standing commitment is “exemplary in that he cultivates friendship with the people of Israel and actively promotes remembrance through targeted educational programs in sports, as well as taking a stand against anti-Semitism. He is not deterred by resistance, which makes Daniel Lörcher a special role model for others.”

The “Zukunftspreis” awarded by the Israel Foundation in Germany is intended to highlight the social significance of the award winners and their work to the public. The prize money associated with the award is linked to the hope that the work and commitment of the award winners will be expanded and continued.

André Kuper, President of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament, emphasized to Lörcher: “We need people like you who, despite the apparent insolubility of all problems, do not give up, who do not resign themselves in the face of countless human destinies.” Gabriele Nitsch, Chairwoman of the Board of the Israel Foundation, explained: “You are persistently committed to fighting xenophobia and anti-Semitism. This makes you an important role model in this society.”

Hans-Joachim Watzke, Borussia Dortmund's CEO, was awarded the prestigious Hope Without Boundaries prize by the Sheba Medical Center in St. Moritz for his fight against anti-Semitism.

The Sheba Medical Center – also known as the “Hospital of Peace” – is Israel's largest medical facility with more than 10,000 employees and one of the most advanced hospitals in the world. Regularly ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the world by "Newsweek", the Sheba Medical Center provides medical care to those in need regardless of ethnicity, religion, nationality, or income. The annual award was presented for the 19th time in 2025.

As Hans-Joachim Watzke was unable to attend in person, Borussia Dortmund's anti-discrimination officer Daniel Lörcher accepted the award on his behalf in St. Moritz.

In 2024, the Central Council of Jews in Germany awarded its highest honor, the Leo Baeck Award, to Borussia Dortmund's CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke.

The award ceremony took place in the Jesse Owens Lounge of Berlin's Olympic Stadium. The laudatory speech was given by Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia.

In his address, Dr. Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, praised Borussia Dortmund for becoming an important partner of the Central Council in the prevention of anti-Semitism under Watzke's leadership: "Hans-Joachim Watzke is the intellectual pioneer of this commitment. In these times, we need people like him who stand alongside the Jewish community and tirelessly promote his stance."

Since 1957, the Central Council of Jews has honored individuals who have rendered outstanding services to the Jewish community with the Leo Baeck Award, which commemorates Rabbi Leo Baeck. Previous recipients include former German presidents Richard von Weizsäcker (1994), Roman Herzog (1998), and Christian Wulff (2011), former German chancellor Angela Merkel (2007), and other public figures.

The Jewish Community of Vienna (IKG) has awarded Daniel Lörcher and Dr. Andreas Kahrs the Torberg Medal for their work for Borussia Dortmund and beyond. Lörcher, former Head of the Corporate Responsibility department and current anti-discrimination officer at BVB, and Kahrs have been campaigning against anti-Semitism and for the remembrance of the Holocaust for many years.

The Marietta and Friedrich Torberg Medal is the highest award of the Jewish Community, recognizing commitment to combating anti-Semitism and promoting remembrance. Daniel Lörcher and Dr. Andreas Kahrs were honored for their commitment to combating anti-Semitism in sports, including through their work at Borussia Dortmund, and for their contribution to the culture of remembrance in Europe. Through their NGO what matters, they currently support companies and associations in developing a stance on social issues such as anti-Semitism, racism, and discrimination and implementing it within their organizations.

The Torberg Medal was presented by IKG President Oskar Deutsch during a ceremony at the Jewish Community Center in the Austrian capital. “Dr. Andreas Kahrs and Daniel Lörcher are pioneers in the fight against anti-Semitism. Their positive social impact is particularly noticeable in football, but now extends far beyond that,” explained Oskar Deutsch.

In 2023, Borussia Dortmund received an award for its “exceptional contributions to the fight against antisemitism in sport” at the annual meeting of European mayors, which was held under the motto “Summit against Antisemitism.” The award was presented to BVB managing director Carsten Cramer by the UK's Anti-Semitism Commissioner, Lord John Mann, and representatives of the Combat Antisemitism Movement.

The ceremony took place at the Phoenix des Lumières art center in Dortmund, a former gas blower hall of the Phoenix West blast furnace plant. In his laudatory speech, Lord Mann said: “Through its work, Borussia Dortmund has succeeded in involving the fan community, all the loyal spectators, in the club's work against anti-Semitism. BVB does much more than just send out good messages. It involves people in its work against anti-Semitism and thereby achieves a real effect.”

The Jewish Community of Düsseldorf has awarded CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, the Josef Neuberger Medal. “For us, the fight for democracy and the fight against racism and anti-Semitism has become an essential core task,” said Watzke. Watzke was awarded the medal for his commitment and that of Borussia Dortmund against anti-Semitism. North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister President Hendrik Wüst gave the laudatory speech.

“It is important that the fight against anti-Semitism and the protection of Jewish life does not remain solely the responsibility of politicians. When a club like BVB, with its 155,000 members and ten million fans, takes a clear stance and acts decisively, it has a huge impact,” said Wüst then, praising Watzke's achievements: “Hans-Joachim Watzke recognized early on that football has a huge responsibility in the fight against anti-Semitism and right-wing extremist ideology.” The medal was presented by Dr. Oded Horowitz, chairman of the Jewish Community of Düsseldorf.

Since 1991, the Josef Neuberger Medal has been awarded to individuals or institutions in the non-Jewish public sphere who have rendered outstanding services to the Jewish community. The medal is named after Prof. Dr. Dr. Josef Neuberger, who was, among other things, Minister of Justice of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Borussia Dortmund was one of two winners of UEFA's #EqualGame award in 2019. The club was recognized above all for its tireless efforts to combat right-wing extremism among its fan base and racism in everyday life, as well as for its humanitarian treatment of refugees and asylum seekers.

UEFA's annual #EqualGame award recognizes individuals and organizations that serve as role models in promoting diversity, inclusion, and access to football for all in Europe, thereby promoting the values of UEFA's Respect campaign #EqualGame.