EFC Corporate Sustainability

Giving young people a voice in how a club is run

VfL Bochum wanted to rethink what good governance looks like for a modern football club. Their answer was simple but bold – involve the people who will shape football’s future.

What do they do?

They created the Advisory Board of the Future, a group of 12 young supporters aged 14 to 25. Working with the NGO Kindernothilfe, VfL Bochum invited the young advisory board to take part in real decision-making across strategy, operations and governance, and share ideas on how the club should evolve. The group focuses on four areas:

• Fans, content & stadium experience

• Club merchandise and retail

• Environment and climate

• Partnerships

Why does it matter?

Bochum listened to its supporters and turned their discussions into action. Although in its infancy, this initiative means that young people now help shape longer-term club initiatives, from climate projects to new fan experiences. It also makes the club more transparent and more connected to the next generation. Others across Europe are already looking at Bochum as a model for their own organisations.

The impact

• Young supporters work directly with senior leaders

• Fresh, practical ideas feed into club strategy

• Working groups have launched new sustainability and community projects

• Bochum’s approach is inspiring other clubs

The message is clear: if you want to build the “club of tomorrow”, you need to start by inviting tomorrow’s decision-makers into the conversation today.

Breaking down barriers through Ability Counts

Celtic’s long-standing community values come to life through Ability Counts, a programme designed to open football to young people and adults with disabilities.

What do they do?

The Celtic FC Foundation runs tailored football sessions for participants with physical, learning and sensory disabilities. The sessions are friendly, welcoming and adapted to individual needs. Everyone is encouraged to take part, improve skills and have fun. The programme sits at the heart of Celtic’s wider social mission and was recognised in the EFC Sustainability Awards shortlist. The three tailored strands:

• AC Down Syndrome (ACDS): Sport and play based sessions for children and young people, with a pathway into adult provision

• AC Autism (ACA): Personalised support built around each participant’s strengths and behaviours

• AC 18+: For young adults, combining physical activity

Why does it matter?

Football should be for everyone, yet too many people face barriers to joining in. Ability Counts tackles those barriers by creating safe, inclusive spaces where participants gain confidence, independence and friendships. For families, it offers support and community. For the club, it shows how football can strengthen society.

The impact

• Attendance has grown from just 25 in its first year to over 3,400 in 2024/25 (1,800 in Glasgow; 1,600 in Ireland)

• 98% retention rate; all participants report improved mental and/or physical wellbeing; most show improved football and motor skills

• Parent and guardian workshops, wellbeing days and alternative therapies to strengthen family resilience

• Long-term pathways from childhood to adulthood, promoting inclusion, diversity, health and social integration, while challenging stigma and stereotypes

Through Ability Counts, Celtic demonstrates how a club can use its platform to open doors to everyone.

Planting roots for a greener city

AS Roma turned everyday match moments into lasting environmental action. Their work focuses on reconnecting the club with Rome’s green spaces, cutting waste and using the club’s facilities as learning hubs for sustainable food and water practices.

What do they do?

• Score a Goal for the Earth: every time the men’s first team score, the club plants three trees with RomaNatura. It helps restore green space and supports local nature reserves

• Food recovery and social solidarity: surplus hospitality food goes straight to local charities. More than five tonnes have already been donated

• Urban garden at Trigoria: the organic vegetable garden produces around 1,200 kg of fresh food each year for players, youth teams and staff. It also hosts school visits and learning sessions

• Water and energy efficiency: the club uses groundwater irrigation and efficient pitch watering and has installed filtered water stations to cut single-use plastic. Renewable energy options are also being explored

Why it matters

These actions link matchday excitement to real climate and community benefits. Planting trees helps biodiversity and urban cooling. Donating food reduces waste and supports vulnerable families. The garden teaches young people how food is grown and why sustainable agriculture matters. Together these projects show how a club can be a community neighbour and an environmental actor.

The impact

• Trees planted tied directly to on-field goals — a visible, ongoing reforestation effort

• Over five tonnes of surplus food redirected to people who need it

• More than 1,200 kg of fresh produce grown annually at the training ground

• Practical water-saving measures in place and reduced plastic use across facilities

AS Roma’s approach is simple and replicable: use the club’s reach to support nature, cut waste and teach the next generation how football and the environment can succeed together.