Overview
- President Frank-Walter Steinmeier presented the €10,000 national honor at a ceremony in Berlin’s DZ Bank near the Brandenburg Gate.
- Herford’s winning project, “Vereinsheld 2025,” boosts young volunteers through targeted training, networking formats, and financial support.
- VfB Eilenburg placed second with €7,500 for mentoring programs that pair novice referees with experienced officials on and off the field.
- MTV Stuttgart took third with €5,000 for its Parasport Academy, launched in February 2025 to provide professional training for athletes with disabilities pursuing Paralympic goals.
- All other state winners received €1,000 each, as the DOSB and Germany’s cooperative banks continued the award program founded in 2004.