Borussia Dortmund is providing active help for the refugees: as part of the nationwide programme “Welcome to Football”, the BVB foundation is starting a new project today which will help young refugees aged between 16 and 20 to better integrate in society in the next two years.

Regular football training will be starting immediately under the guidance of experienced coaches of the BVB academy and TSC Eintracht Dortmund together with amateur BVB fans. In addition to this, the project consists of German courses and integrative evening events organised by BVB fan site schwatzgelb.de.

“Welcome to Football”

The inaugural event, under the direction of BVB assistant coach Arno Michels, took place on Wednesday 18th November at TSC Eintracht Dortmund’s training ground, where there is also a classroom available for teaching German following the weekly training sessions. All participants receive training equipment from Borussia Dortmund on a loan basis. The phrase “refugees welcome” printed on the front of the training tops is an expression of the welcoming culture. Participants are chosen from the Walter-Blüchert-Foundation which also provides German teachers and social workers within the framework of its “Arrived” programme.

“Following the various welcome measures of the last few weeks, Borussia Dortmund would like to take the next steps and help the integration of young refugees in particular. The entire BVB-family can help. Our special thanks go to all the partners who have contributed to this project,” said Marco Rühmann, the manager of this foundation.

“Welcome to Football” is a programme of the German Children and Youth Foundation, funded by the Bundesliga Foundation and the Federal Government Commissioner for Migration, Refugees and Integration. The programme offers young refugees up to the age of 27 access to sport and supports integration and social coexistence. This is based on the cooperation of a Bundesliga club, a 2. Bundesliga club, local players and local clubs. Each welcome group receives financial support of approximately €11,500.

The BVB foundation “lights on” supports the project with €4000.