Our projects
Thanks to strong partners such as the Zenaga Foundation, the WWF or myclimate, as well as generous initial funding from the Dietmar Hopp Foundation, we have already initiated and supported the projects described below in August 2020. Successes are already visible.
As of May 2023, our donations have made it possible to plant more than 100,000 trees in Africa and 101,000 mangroves in the Philippines and in Nigeria, to protect a forest area the size of 9,805 soccer fields, and to involve around 49,000 schoolchildren throuout the implementation of our projects.
Together with our partners WWF and myclimate, we travelled to East Africa in September 2022 to get an overview of the progress of the projects initiated by Sports for Future and Sports 4 Trees.
If you want to know what Stefan Wagner, 1st Chairman of Sports for Future, has to say about his experiences, then feel free to drop by!
KENYA
Reforestation of the Chepalungu-Forest
The project in Kenya is focused on the reforestation and re-growth of a forest reserve in Province of Bomet. The landscape is one of the most ecologically important ones for nature conservation in East Africa. The well-known Mara Serengeti urgently depends on water from the forests, such as the Chepalungu, for its survival.
The focus is now on protecting the diversity of species and animals, maintaining the ecological functions and sustainable usability of this landscape and, to this end, ensuring that ecosystems are fully protected and – where necessary – restored. In addition, community forest reserves are being created with fruit and fast-growing tree species that can be used sustainably by surrounding communities.
By February 2023, a total of 340,000 trees had been planted on an area of 300 hectares. More than 39,500 plantings were initiated with the support of Sports4Trees by May 2023. In 2022 alone, more than 3,000 trees were donated, especially with the help of our Christmas campaign and the Ruderwald.
Project partner: WWF
Projekt supporter: Rowers forest, Athletes4Climate, FC 1910 Lößnitz
TANZANIA
Forest conservation together with indigenous communities in the Yaeda Valleys
This project is about protecting the forests for indigenous hunting and gathering groups as well as wildlife – and, of course, the climate. The project secures the land rights of the indigenous population and supports local land use plans to protect the forest area, which largely consists of acacia and myrrh trees. The resulting reduced deforestation prevents greenhouse gases from being released into the atmosphere.
A wildlife corridor also allows endangered wildlife species to migrate between the Yaeda Valley and the Ngorongoro Highlands. With the support of Sports4Trees, 6,800 hectares of forest (equivalent to 9,800 soccer fields) have been protected so far (May 2023).
Project partner: myclimate, Plan Vivo / VCS CCB Gold
Project supporter: SID (compensation payment)
SENEGAL
Green Schools
The idea of the Green Schools arose from an environmental school project that we implemented in 2020 together with the Zenaga Foundation and Foret International in three schools in the municipality of Goudiry in the Tambacoundas region of Senegal. Due to the satisfactory results, the Green Schools Project was launched in 2021 in three schools in the regions of Kaolack (Sidy Lamine Sow Primary School), Fatick (Thiagoune Ndiaye Primary School) and Joal (Joal College 3).
In the face of global challenges, including the effects of climate change, our aim is to support the “Green Schools” and the local population with local helpers.
To this end, the Green Schools combine the three components of climate protection, education and sport:
- Planting fruit tree seedlings in the school gardens including equipment for the care of the seedlings & the nursery
➤ Contribution to climate protection
➤ Improving the nutrition of students and teachers
➤ Sale of surplus
➤ Revenue for the school - Solar energy
- Installation of photovoltaic systems on school roofs
Mobile solar lamps for students
➤ Electricity and light in schools
➤ Sport even in the dark
- Environmental and climate education units in schools
- Wall painting in schools with environmental themes
- Involvement and sensitisation of teachers
- Teaching and learning equipment
➤ Creating awareness for nature and the environment among young people
- Improvement of sports facilities
- Equipment with sports equipment
- Sporting events
➤ Promoting social interaction of students, their health and team spirit
In the meantime, a lot has been done: the first photovoltaic systems have been installed on the roofs of schools to provide energy for the solar lights on the sports field. And the first 1,600 of the planned 3,500 seedlings have already been planted in the schools in Kaolack and Fatick. Another 800 plantings will follow in Joal.
In the community of Goudiry, around 2,000 pupils and teachers were involved when a school forest was built, wall paintings were created, garbage was collected and new seating was built. At the end of the active phase, 1,566 trees were planted and 2,000 seedlings were attracted to the nursery.
Both projects have progressed enormously since the start of the project, so that a total of 10,000 trees could be planted by May 2023!
In 2022, other projects were implemented: A Green School in Bissassou, a town in the Sédhiou region of Senegal, with a duration of three years, in which a minimum production of 130,000 plants and then 30,000 seedlings per year are to be achieved. In addition, three Green Schools are being implemented in the towns of Gossas, Donaye Taredji and Sandiara. These were supported by the DFB-Aktionsspieltag Klimaschutz in the season 2022/23.
Project partner: Zenaga, Foret International of the Dakar University
Project supporter: DFB matchday “climate protection”, Deutsche Sportjugend, Paul Schockemöhle Logistics
NIGERIA
School project and gardens with afforestation in Akwa Ibom
In Nigeria, Sports4Trees is engaged in environmental education at schools and in the creation of school gardens with new tree seedlings. The students and teachers become ambassadors for environmental and climate protection. By integrating climate protection into the entire school day, planting community trees and subsequent planting of tree seedlings, a sustainable reforestation program with scaling potential is created. The project has quickly gained attention and numerous schools in the area are eager to participate.
In the first project step, the target of 1,500 seedlings has already been exceeded and the first five participating schools have planted 2,770 trees and planted 5,000 seeds in the tree nursery. In addition, in the second project step, the topic of education and sports was strengthened and solar lamps were distributed to students.
As of August 2022, 12 schools in Nigeria have participated in the project, ten additional schools are planned. A total of about 600 trees and 1000 nursery seedlings per school tree could be planted. In addition, 24 solar lamps were installed. The current status (May 2023) amounts to a total of 17,000 trees planted.
Project partner: Zenaga, African Centre for Environment, Agriculture Rural Development
Project supporter: Georg-Kerschensteiner-Schule Holdorf, SV Waldhof Mannheim 07, DFB matchday “climate protection”, RSV Rugby Damen
NIGERIA
Mangrove reforestation in Akwa Ibom
Uyo State is known for its massive petroleum damage and by supporting this project we want to help protect the nature and enable renaturation. Mangroves are perfect for this purpose as they clean polluted waters, produce oxygen and stabilize sandy, muddy soil. This strengthens shores and coasts. Adapted to extreme conditions such as tropical heat, salt water or tidal changes, mangroves are true survivors and are found where other plants could not survive. Due to the local climate, planting can be done all year round.
By the end of March 2023, more than 8,700 mangroves had been planted with the help of the climate ticket of SV Waldhof Mannheim. As of June 2023, a total of 11,000 mangroves had been planted in Nigeria.The social aspect is not neglected either: The employed locals are provided with warm meals and work clothes.
Project partner: Forstfreunde / Climate Pioneers
Projekt supporter: Waldhof Mannheim
DR CONGO
Empowerment of women through reforestation and sports in Menkaus
In the DR Congo, the lack of awareness for climate protection and sustainability – due to poverty and lack of education – is to be tackled through reforestation, training and sports for women. The goal is to plant more than 180,000 trees and to educate trainers and multipliers for sustainable development.
Topics include environmental impact, sustainable agriculture and forestry, and the benefits of reforestation and climate protection. The combination with the sport “Nzango”, which is mainly practiced by women, holds an additional incentive and dynamic for the project.
On September 25, 2020, the first inspection of the land took place together with the visit to the “Village Chief” for the traditional obtaining of the permission for the start of the project. Project staffs were able to start with land surveying on site from October 5 and between October 28 and November 7, the land was prepared.
Although the Corona pandemic complicated the project’s progress, 7,150 seedlings were planted by the end of the first two phases of the project (September 2021), which was more than previously planned (6,750). In addition, a total of over 700 people were involved in the project.
Project partner: Zenaga, ASEAD – Academy of Sciences & Engineering for Africa Development
UGANDA
Small-scale farmers in Uganda reforest forests in Uganda
Our partner project encourages small-scale farmers in Uganda to reforest and better manage existing forests. The project lays the foundation for long-term sustainable land use that guarantees carbon absorption by trees and storage in their biomass. At the same time, it supports biodiversity and improves community well-being. With the help of Sports4Trees, the project was initiated with the planting of 17,252 trees. To date, 6,512 hectares of forest have been reforested and a total of 44,245 trees have been planted as of May 2023. Project standard: Plan Vivo.
Project partner: myclimate
Project supporter: TSG Hoffenheim (Klimaticket), Summer Feeling Bayreuth, Move4Trees
SOUTH AFRICA
Hockey-Forest of the German Women Field Hockey Team - DANAS
The women’s national field hockey team is facing up to its responsibility for the planet and taking action: The ladies have created a field hockey forest in South Africa with the help of the Grootbos Foundation. This forest is also available for other nations, field hockey players, fans and supporters to plant. A tree costs 25€ – for this the Danas ensure that the trees are planted in the field hockey forest and send a certificate with the coordinates of the trees. So far, the Danas and their supporters have planted 900 trees.
Project partner: Grootbos Foundation
Project supporter: Hockey National Team
PHILIPPINES
1.000.000 mangroves for the Malizia Mangrove Parks
The sailor Boris Herrmann and his team Malizia have created the Malizia Mangrove Park in the Philippines together with the Mama Earth Foundation. There, one million newly planted mangroves will be added to the existing ones, thus making an enormously important contribution to restoring the ecosystem and storing high amounts of CO2. Sports4Trees supported the project in November 2020 with a donation of 33,000€ resp. the planting of 100,000 mangroves. Mangrove donation total: 815,967 mangroves (as of October 2023).
Project partner: Mama Earth Foundation, Malizia Mangroves Park
Projekt supporter: Team Malizia
