Fan Project Bremen eV.

Diverse learning environment

We are a non-profit organization and a recognized provider of independent youth services, founded in 1981 as the first fan project in Germany. Since then, in cooperation with young Werder Bremen fans, we have been providing important impetus for a non-violent and diverse fan culture. Our premises and work are located directly on-site, in the East Stand, the heart of the Weser Stadium.

Through our intervention campaign "Sitting is for the birds," this space has been actively shaped by young fans from the very beginning. This has led to a strong identification with the stands and a high degree of self-determination and personal responsibility, thus laying the foundation for our work in strengthening personalities and promoting democracy.

A diverse learning environment

The East Stand is a place of diversity. Here, all sorts of people come together to support Werder Bremen. To ensure this remains the case, we promote respect and tolerance among Werder fans and work towards a stand free of discrimination

In this sense, the East Stand is also a learning space where we utilize the special magic of the Weser Stadium and the East Stand Hall (OKS) within it. Here, we open a space and enable direct learning experiences for exchange and encounters by bringing the various stakeholders into dialogue with one another.

Our educational mission extends far beyond simply teaching school-related content, encompassing the development of social and practical life skills. This is a mission shared by our "East Curve Hall Learning Center," which has been organizing numerous workshops and project days since 2009.

Always on the ball, both at home and away games

As a highly emotional place and a focal point for social conflicts, the stadium has always held a strong attraction for young people. However, these young people also repeatedly encounter threatening and overwhelming situations there. Our outreach work allows us to recognize such situations and intervene or provide support immediately when the self-regulation of young fans reaches its limits. At the same time, this approach enables us to establish personal contacts and responsibly guide the development of the fan scene.

This requires our regular attendance at home and away matches of Werder Bremen's first and second teams. This fosters acceptance within the fan scene and forms the basis of a relationship of trust, which is essential for our educational work, especially with younger fans.

Bring all girls* and all boys* into the game

We understand the stadium as a place where gender is expressed and explored in its diverse forms, but we don't want to ignore the fact that dominant male- and sexist, as well as homophobic and transphobic, behavior still exists. The role expectations of and for boys* and girls* are different. Therefore, it is important to us to provide gender-sensitive youth work and to be available if there are questions or if help is needed.

Pass the ball on

The Bremen Fan Project is a central hub that refers people to other organizations and institutions and mediates conflicts. This also includes the ongoing dialogue between theory and practice and participation in working groups and committees.

The team consists of full-time and freelance educators and social scientists who face an emotionally charged work environment on a daily basis. The team operates on an equal footing and makes decisions collectively in team meetings. The team's goal is to carry out its tasks in the most cooperative and transparent way possible, with a passion for football. Socio-political engagement is important to everyone, and the protection of minors is a top priority.