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.
As of April 2024, our donations have made it possible to plant more than 109,000 trees in Africa and 108,000 mangroves in the Philippines and in Nigeria, to protect a forest area the size of 9,805 soccer fields, and to involve around 90,000 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 March 2024, a total of 480,000 trees had been planted on an area of 500 hectares. More than 40,900 plantings were initiated with the support of Sports4Trees.
Project partner: WWF
Projekt supporter: Rowers forest, Athletes4Climate, FC 1910 Lößnitz
KENYA
Kipchoge Project in the Kaptagat Forest
The Kaptagat Forest in Kenya is part of the northern Mau ecosystem in western Kenya and includes five forest reserves as well as adjacent community areas. The landscape of the Kaptagat Forest is a vital watershed, providing essential livelihoods for the surrounding region of the major city of Eldoret. The forests protect against erosion and flooding and supply water to the entire surrounding area.
For this reason, Eliud Kipchoge, Olympic champion in 2016 and 2020, marathon world champion, and record holder, has been actively involved in the reforestation of the Kaptagat Forest for years. In 2019, a planting action was conducted with a challenge that symbolically represents the race against time: Can one plant a tree in 1:59 minutes – inspired by Kipchoge’s record of running the marathon distance in 1:59 hours.
This planting action was part of the WWF campaign “Keep Kenya Breathing” from 2018. With this campaign, the WWF aims to support the Kenyan government’s goal of planting one billion trees by 2030. Since then, more than 2,235,791 tree seedlings have been planted.
A personal goal for Eliud Kipchoge: “I dream of seeing the first marathon run in the Kaptagat Forest. Other athletes can also come to the forest to train.” To move closer to this goal, Sports for Future also supports the Kaptagat Forest. Through the sale of our Sports for Future climate socks, we have so far been able to donate over 120 trees.
Project partner: WWF
Projekt supporter: Sports for Future climate socks, Summer Feeling Bayreuth
KENYA
Tree nursery in Kisumu
In April 2024, together with the Zenaga Foundation, we began implementing a tree nursery project in Kisumu, a city in the northeast of Lake Victoria in Kenya. To support the local population, who lack nutritious food, clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene products, we established the “DANA WILFRIDA AYUGI OSODO” tree nursery. In Phase 1 of the project (until Dec. 2026), 90,000 tree seedlings will be planted. Initial steps included constructing fences and gates to protect the equipment and preparing the land for the first plantings.
The next steps involve hiring and training gardeners, planting and sowing the first seedlings and seeds, and caring for them.
Additionally, we are initiating a Green School in Kisumu, which will include 1,000 tree seedlings, solar spotlights, mobile solar lamps, sports and gardening equipment, and murals.
Project partner: Zenaga Foundation
Projekt supporter: Sports for Future
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
UGANDA
SLAC for Eden - Stream the light for African Communities in Uganda
The community-based organization “Steam the Light for African Communities” (SLAC) was founded in 2019 by William Prosper, an agricultural teacher at a Ugandan girls’ high school. Dinklager Hannah Bruckmann, ethnology student and volunteer math teacher in Uganda joined the organisation in January 2023 and in March founded the German Partner Association of the same name. In close cooperation with the surrounding farmers, the “SLAC for Eden” project was founded, a “Nature Based Solution” development project for poverty reduction, environmental protection and emancipation. The project is being implemented in the Kibaale District in southwestern Uganda.
SLAC for Eden consists of a two-hectare project site in the village of Buseesa in Kibaale District, where 5,000 tree seedlings, 1,000 banana plants and 4,000 spice seedlings have been planted by December 2023. The products of these fruit, nut and medicinal trees, as well as spices, contribute to quantitative and qualitative nutrition, provide natural medicine, promote biodiversity and generate income. In addition, this agroforest serves as an educational location for surrounding farmers and schools to inform them about the ecological and economic benefits of forests and climate change. The spices planted are also used to produce essential oils from them. The production facility was built in October 2023. After production, the oils are sold to a wholesaler in Kampala.
For the year 2024, the focus is on oil production, of which a sample shipment of around 60 litres is also to be delivered to Germany. In addition, the acquisition of a second plot of land for a second demonstration forest and a second production site is planned.
We are very impressed with the project, which is why we want to support SLAC for Eden with you and our Sports4Trees network.
GERMANY
Waldkicker - A project of Aktion Baum
Aktion Baum is a non-profit organization that, in cooperation with foresters and forest managers, saves or reforests our forests in a sustainable, biodiverse and “proper way”. To this end, they implement their own planting activities and participate in existing projects. In 2024, Aktion Baum wants to plant a total of 100,000 trees (current 12,450 trees, February 2024). In addition to planting trees, the exchange with scientists and tree experts, as well as education and enlightenment, play an important role. The aim is to inspire and sensitize people, especially children and young people, in order to protect the forests in Germany in the long term.
With the “Waldkicker” project, Aktion Baum is launching an education and awareness-raising project in children’s football on the theme of forests and sustainability. The “Waldkickers” are a sports team that once a year conducts a waste collection and afforestation campaign in cooperation with Aktion Baum. In return, they receive a jersey set for their team from Baumi, the mascot. In addition, Baumi regularly sends exciting videos on the subject of forests and climate protection to the forest kickers.
We want to support this sporting project with Sports for Future: For every tree planted by the forest footballers, we donate a tree to the Kaptagat forest in Kenya. So the number of trees planted is doubled!
Project partner: WWF (Kipchoge Project in the Kaptagat Forest)
Project supporter: Forestkicker
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
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
TANZANIA
Forest maintenance together with indigenous peoples in the Yaeda Valleys
This is about protecting forests for indigenous hunters and gatherers as well as wildlife – and of course the climate. The project secures the land rights of the indigenous population and supports municipal land use plans to protect the mostly forested area of acacia and myrrh trees. The resulting reduction in deforestation prevents the release of greenhouse gases 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, as of May 2023 the
6,800 hectares of forest (equivalent to 9,800 football fields) are protected.
Project partner: myclimate, Plan Vivo / VCS CCB Gold
Project supporter: SID (compensation payment)
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
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
2.000.000 mangroves for the Malizia Mangrove Parks
The sailor Boris Herrmann and his team Malizia together with the Mama Earth Foundation founded the Malizia Mangrove Park in the Philippines. There, one million newly planted mangroves should be added to the already existing ones, making an enormously important contribution to the restoration of the ecosystem and sequestering large amounts of CO2. Sports4Trees supported the project in November 2020 with a donation of 33,000€ and the planting of 100,000 mangroves. The mangrove donation target of one million mangroves was reached in March 2024, the new target is now: TWO MILLION!
Current situation: 1.708.855 mangroves (June 2024). To reach the target of two million mangroves, 291.145 mangroves are still missing.
Project partner: Mama Earth Foundation, Malizia Mangroves Park
Projekt supporter: Team Malizia
