The event will build further on the previous two workshops, on Governance and Finance, as well as the 16 exchange visits between the partners. The initiative is co-financed by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and Uefa.
The third workshop of SD Europe‘s Erasmus+ project will be take place this weekend (16-18/6) at the stadium of Schalke 04, one of the biggest member-run clubs in the world, and in Germany, the country most suitable to welcome an event on members and volunteers since its long tradition in democratic football structures has been the key element of the sporting, financial and social success for German football.
Over the three days, participants will have the opportunity to exchange best practice on the democratic process in their organisations and on member and volunteer management at club and supporters organisation level. They will also listen to expert speakers on how to include in their activities supporters with disabilities or who are under-represented or in minorities.
We will also kick off the SD Europe 10-year anniversary campaign – it was in July 2007 the need for a European movement that would translate the ideas of democracy, transparency and accountability in football sparked the creation of small, initially, network of like-minded national supporters’ organisations.
Ten years later, this network is an independent umbrella organisation for member-run clubs and supporters groups that want to be involved in the running and decision-making of sport. For the next six months we’ll be celebrating our past achievements – we’ve done a lot and there’s plenty more to do!
We will be reporting live from the Veltins Arena through our Facebook and Twitter accounts. You can also follow the Erasmus+ partners to get updates on your own language – SFSU for Sweden, Supporters in Campo for Italy, FASFE for Spain, Irish Supporters Network for Ireland, Unsere Kurve for Germany. Or if you’re a fan or member of one of the clubs, try Schalke04, Cork City FC, FC United of Manchester, CAP Ciudad de Murcia, Malmo FF and Cava United.
Apart from partners, contributing organisations and the project’s advisory board, the workshop has sparked interest among all stakeholders of the football family and we are also looking forward to welcome UEFA as well as CAFE, FARE, FSE, Hapoel Katamon, Israfans, Za Celik and Celik Zenica, Eskabee, ACTasOne, Norsk Supporters Alliance, SD Scotland, Supporters Direct, the Bulgarian Football Union, Beroe and the Sounders Community Trust from across the Atlantic.