CONTROL AREA FUNDING
WHY FUNDING
Generally, additional financial resources are needed to enable the transformation to sustainable practices and thereby realise long-term benefits for sporting events and society. The provision of financial resources for sustainability services, whether by the organiser, funding bodies or other supporters, is therefore of crucial importance. Without dedicated budget items, there is a risk that the funding of measures to achieve the sustainability goals will be neglected or implemented inefficiently due to limited resources. Defining clear budget lines for sustainability achievements emphasises the priority and obligation of the organiser to implement sustainability measures
THE FOLLOWING CENTRAL TASKS APPLY IN THIS RESPECT
- ✔ Enable realisation: Obtaining sufficient financial resources and budgeting for sustainability measures are a prerequisite for comprehensive and efficient target achievement.
- ✔ Emphasise relevance: By providing financial resources explicitly for sustainability measures, the relevance of the topic is emphasised both internally and externally. At the same time, this strengthens the organiser’s credibility and integrity.
Checklist – Important steps
The funding of sustainability measures at sporting events requires a systematic approach. Important steps here include:
Calculate the specific costs of the planned sustainability measures. The costs result from the additional costs less the savings from the sustainability measures.
Note for beginners: Calculate the additional financial expense of a sustainability measure. To do this, simply estimate the costs of the planned sustainability measure (e.g. purchase of reusable cups) and compare these with the costs of measures that you would have implemented instead (e.g. purchase of disposable cups). Keep the calculation simple and only use values that you can really estimate.
Integrate specific budget items for sustainability measures into the overall budget.
Note for beginners: Start with a single budget item for sustainability measures and adjust it as you gain experience.
Research potential funding programmes and apply for them as necessary.
Note for beginners: Search online for funding opportunities specifically for small, sustainable events.
Establish partnerships with companies that have an interest in sustainable sponsorship.
Note for beginners: Approach local companies that are committed to environmentally friendly or social projects and offer them a simple partnership.
Consider crowdfunding campaigns or other forms of community engagement to raise funds from individuals interested in the sustainability of a sporting event. If possible, implement the ideas.
Note for beginners: Use simple crowdfunding platforms and design an appealing campaign with clear benefits for supporters. This allows a local event with a strong community to also collect smaller but regular financial contributions.
Demonstrate how sustainability funding is used to gain the trust of sponsors, funders and the public.
Note for beginners: Communicate your measures clearly and simply via your website, social media or in short press releases. Use examples to show how the investments have specifically improved the sustainability of the event.
Continuously review the financing of sustainability measures and make adjustments if necessary.
Further information on the timing of the respective steps and the frequency of implementation can be found in the planning tool.