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30 January 2025 Global Nature Fund and 1. FC Nürnberg start cooperation for fair and sustainable textiles in sports & merchandise

Press release of the Global Nature Fund & Femnet e.V. in the project ‘Fair Wear Works’

The Global Nature Fund (GNF) and the Traditionsclub 1. FC Nürnberg have started a cooperation as part of the Fair Wear Works project. Together, they are committed to sustainable textiles in sports and merchandise as well as fair textile supply chains. The cooperation aims not only to promote ecological standards in purchasing, but also to strengthen social justice in the global textile industry.

Bonn/Nuremberg. The official launch of the GNF's intensive cooperation with the 1. FC Nürnberg fell during a workshop on 6 November 2024 as part of the ‘Fair Wear Works’ project. Under the title ‘Why is it worth buying sports textiles sustainably?’, employees of the Merchandise Team and the Sustainability Working Group discussed the challenges and opportunities of sustainable sportswear and textile fanshop items. A particular challenge was the ecological and social problems in the textile supply chains, for which initial solutions were developed at the workshop.

Responsibility in the supply chain is one of eleven focus topics of the red-black Elf for more sustainability, the sustainability strategy of the 1. FC Nuremberg. The focus here is first and foremost on transparency along the entire supply chain – from the extraction of raw materials to production and fair pay for workers. This strategy is characterized by an effort to make responsible purchasing decisions and establish sustainable practices in the industry.

Niels Rossow © 1. FCN"By working with the GNF and through the joint workshops, we want to gradually improve our processes and, in the long term, define a checklist for suppliers and our own evaluation system for sustainable products. GNF helps us to set strategically meaningful purchasing targets, which we can then actually implement in practice," says Niels Rossow, Director of Strategy & Marketing at 1. FC Nuremberg.

A strong sign of sustainability in sport

For the 1st FC Nürnberg sees this cooperation as an important step towards assuming its own responsibility for environmental and social standards. "The club wants to raise awareness of sustainable action among its staff, members and fans. Sustainable fan articles are an excellent driver for this. Through them, we reach many people and can use the emotions of football for sustainability in the supply chain", explains Niels Rossow. “We are delighted to have an experienced partner at our side, the Global Nature Fund, to support us along this path.”

As early as September 2024, the 1. FC Nürnberg participates in Fair Week with its fan shop, supported by the GNF’s ‘Fair Wear Works’ project team.

“Sport is a connecting force and has the potential to make important issues such as environmental protection and social justice accessible to a wide audience. Together with the 1. We would like to show that sustainable and fair sports textiles are not only an exception, but can also play a relevant role in the range", says Bettina Faust, project manager ‘Fair Wear Works’.

Innovative solutions for fair supply chains

Since 2020, Global Nature Fund and FEMNET e.V. have been working together as part of the project to promote socially fair and ecological supply chains in textile purchasing. The women's rights organisation FEMNET e.V. contributes its proven expertise in labour rights along the supply chain, while the Global Nature Fund complements the project goals with its experience in global environmental and nature conservation projects. With their respective expertise, the partners advise sports clubs as well as companies in the health sector and universities. The aim of the project is to improve the conditions in the textile supply chains and to create sustainable alternatives for associations, companies and consumers. The 1st FC Nürnberg is already the second Bundesliga club to be advised by the GNF on this topic after VFL Bochum 1848.

The German football leagues, which enjoy great attention and have a strong role model character, bear a social responsibility here. With sustainable purchasing solutions, associations can not only set an example for human rights and resource protection, but also strengthen society's awareness of sustainable development. The GNF's advisory and educational programme is open to all sports clubs. For more information:

Fair Wear Works is funded by ENGAGEMENT GLOBAL gGmbH on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Postcode Lottery and Fairtrade Germany.

 

About the project partners

The Global Nature Fund is an international foundation for the environment and nature conservation. With projects such as Fair Wear Works, the GNF is committed to promoting sustainable business practices and fair working conditions.
www.globalnature.org/fair-wear-works/

FEMNET e.V is a women's rights organization that has been campaigning for better working conditions in the global apparel industry for over 15 years with political commitment, educational and advisory work, and projects abroad.
www.femnet.de/fairwearworks

 

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