July 15 – The UEFA Euro 2024 Climate Fund has allocated a total of €7 million to support sustainable infrastructure projects across Germany.
The funding had reached 190 amateur clubs and 21 regional associations, aimed at enhancing operations related to energy, water, waste, and mobility.
The third and final wave of funding, amounting to €698,000, has been distributed among 30 amateur clubs.
Over the course of three funding waves, UEFA has allocated €4.9 million to 190 clubs and an additional €100,000 to each of Germany’s 21 regional associations, solidifying the total investment to just over €7 million.
Since early 2024, grassroots clubs in Germany have been able to apply for financial support for climate-protection projects., generating a substantial response of over 5,586 applications.
Clubs could apply for up to €250,000, with a requirement to cover 10% of the total project costs, capped at €5,000.
In the initial wave in March, 2,307 projects were submitted, with 80 receiving funding.
The second wave in May saw 2,019 submissions, resulting in 81 funded projects.
The recently-concluded third wave allocated funds to 30 clubs, emphasising the continued commitment to sustainable development.
The investments are projected to save approximately 60,000 tonnes of carbon emissions – equivalent to the electricity use of over 11,000 homes for one year or the emissions from over 14,000 gasoline-powered vehicles driven for a year.
The committee has said that popular funded projects include over 100 installations of photovoltaic solar panels, 67 battery storage systems, and 35 LED floodlight setups.
This climate fund initiative is a cornerstone of UEFA EURO 2024’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, aiming to set a benchmark for event sustainability in sports and promote sustainable development in German and European societies.
The fund offsets ‘unavoidable’ emissions generated by the event, with €25 donated to the climate fund for each tonne of CO2e emissions produced, based on pre-tournament projections.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1735305753labto1735305753ofdlr1735305753owedi1735305753sni@g1735305753niwe.1735305753yrrah1735305753