The German Sports Youth

What The German Sports Youth does

Deutsche Sportjugend (dsj), legal entity 'Deutsche Sportjugend im Deutschen Olympischen Sportbund e.V.', is the official youth organization of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), founded in 1950 and headquartered at Otto-Fleck-Schneise 12 in Frankfurt am Main. Operating as a non-profit registered association (e.V.) with 11-50 employees, dsj represents the interests of more than 10.5 million children, youth, and young adults under 27 who are members of German sports clubs, coordinating a network of approximately 90,000 sports clubs and 100+ member organizations including Landessportbünde (state sports confederations) and Spitzenverbandsjugenden (top-level federation youth organizations).

Its product portfolio is programmatic rather than commercial. Core offerings include the DOJL (Deutsches Olympisches Jugendlager) international youth camp accompanying Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Bundesfreiwilligendienst and Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr volunteer programs, international youth exchange coordination, and thematic initiatives on child and youth protection (Safe Sport / SAFE HARBOUR EU project with 26 National Olympic Committees), democracy strengthening and anti-discrimination (Bundesprogramm gegen Extremismus, Vereinspreis 'Sport mit Haltung'), sustainability education in sport (UNESCO-recognized), and the dsj Forschungsverbund research network. Supporting infrastructure includes the 'Zukunft – Jugend – Sport' MOVE Podcast distributed via Podigee to Spotify/Apple/YouTube, the Forum Kinder- und Jugendsport journal co-published with Springer, and a dsj Chatbot für Vereine im Ganztag as the principal AI-assisted feature. The technology stack otherwise depends on third-party tools (ReadSpeaker for TTS, Matomo for analytics, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, Issuu, Google reCAPTCHA).

Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The business model is non-commercial, funded through management and re-grant of German federal KJP (Kinder- und Jugendplan) and bilateral youth office funds, DOSB and member organization membership contributions, Erasmus+ Sport/Youth and European Solidarity Corps project grants administered via national agencies, and minimal cost-recovery publication sales (e.g., Moderationskoffer BNE at €13.50). Distribution operates community-led through the member organization network, sports clubs, schools and Kitas, and direct digital engagement (newsletter, podcast, social channels), with international exchange partnerships spanning Japan, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Turkey, Poland, and Senegal.

Name

The German Sports Youth

Legal name

Deutsche Sportjugend im Deutschen Olympischen Sportbund e.V.

Website

https://dsj.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Deutsche Sportjugend (dsj) is the official youth organization of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), representing over 10.5 million children and youth under 27 in German sports clubs through programmatic initiatives on volunteer service, Safe Sport protection, international exchange, and democratic engagement, funded primarily via government and EU grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Development Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Child and Youth Services (62411), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Olympic & Multi-Sport Movement Organizations (NOCs, Olympic Committees) (MPAKACAI), Youth Athlete Development & Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) (HSADAEAE)

Keywords

• Youth sports development
• Sports federation services
• Volunteer service programs
• International youth exchange
• Child protection in sport

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (KJP - Kinder- und Jugendplan): Partially responsible for managing funds from the German Federal Government's Child and Youth Plan (KJP) and bilateral youth offices. These funds are distributed to member organizations and their subdivisions for youth sport programs and international youth work.
2. Membership Contributions: Funding from DOSB and member organizations through membership contributions
3. European Funding Programs: Erasmus+ Sport, Erasmus+ Youth, European Solidarity Corps funding administered through national agencies
4. Publication Sales: Sale of educational materials and publications (e.g., Moderationskoffer BNE at €13.50)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Deutsche Sportjugend (dsj) is the youth organization of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), serving as the representative body for over 10 million children and youth active in German sports clubs. It delivers youth sport programs, international youth exchanges, voluntary service placements (BFD/FSJ), child protection and Safe Sport standards, democracy and anti-discrimination initiatives, and educational research through its Forschungsverbund. The organization also manages the German Olympic Youth Camp (DOJL) at Olympic and Paralympic Games and administers federal and European funding for member organizations.

Product overview

Deutsche Sportjugend (dsj) is a non-profit youth sports organization operating as the youth division of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), representing over 10 million young members. The organization offers a unified portfolio of programs centered on youth sports development rather than a commercial tech product. Core offerings include the DOJL (German Olympic Youth Camp) international program, voluntary service placements (BFD/FSJ), international youth exchanges, and thematic initiatives on democracy, sustainability, and child protection. Supporting services include the 'Zukunft – Jugend – Sport' podcast, publications via the Forum Kinder- und Jugendsport journal, and thematic tools like the Moderationskoffer BNE for education for sustainable development. European initiatives include the SAFE HARBOUR project with 26 national Olympic committees for safe sport standards. The organization also operates federal programs against extremism and provides funding facilitation for international exchanges through Erasmus+ and bilateral youth offices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DOJL - Deutsches Olympisches Jugendlager: German Olympic Youth Camp - a youth exchange program accompanying Olympic and Paralympic Games
• SAFE HARBOUR
• MOVE Podcast
• Vereinspreis 'Sport mit Haltung'

Products and services

• DOJL – Deutsches Olympisches Jugendlager Flagship international youth program offering young people aged 14-17 immersive experiences at Olympic and Paralympic Games combined with sports-political education and cultural exchange.
• Freiwilligendienste im Sport Voluntary service programs including Bundesfreiwilligendienst (BFD) and Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (FSJ) offering young people educational and orientation years to foster civic engagement and responsibility in sports organizations.
• Zukunft – Jugend – Sport Podcast (MOVE Podcast) Weekly podcast hosted by Carolin Giffhorn and Yara Willems featuring discussions with guests on topics affecting young people in sports, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
• Bundesprogramm gegen Extremismus Federal program co-funded by DOSB and dsj supporting projects that address extremism, democracy education, and discrimination prevention in sports organizations.
• Safe Sport Initiative Comprehensive child and youth protection program implementing prevention, intervention, and processing measures against violence in organized sports at all levels.
• SAFE HARBOUR EU Project European cooperation project co-funded by European Olympic Committees (EOC) and Erasmus+ bringing together 26 European national Olympic committees to develop common standards for safe sport and protection from interpersonal violence.
• Internationaler Jugendaustausch International youth exchange programs with partner organizations worldwide including bilateral youth offices and Erasmus+ Sport funding for cross-cultural sports exchanges.
• dsj Forschungsverbund (Research Network) Interdisciplinary research network conducting practice-oriented research on the educational potential of children's and youth sports, coordinating the Forum Kinder- und Jugendsport journal with Springer.
• Vereinspreis Sport mit Haltung Annual award recognizing sports clubs demonstrating democratic engagement and commitment against extremism, awarding up to €18,000 in prizes, organized jointly with the Federal Chancellery.
• Sportjugend-Portal (Publications) Digital and print publications including studies, research papers, working aids, and informational materials on youth work in sports, including the Forum Kinder- und Jugendsport journal published with Springer.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10.5 million children and youth under 27 active in sports clubs represented by dsj
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Plan InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026dsj and Plan International signed MoU to strengthen children's rights in sport, promoting participation, protection, and development of young people through sport.
• Leopoldina (German National Academy of Sciences)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026dsj supports Leopoldina with expertise in the fight against obesity, contributing to 'Gemeinsam gegen Adipositas' initiative.
• Bundesinstitut für Öffentliche Gesundheit (BIÖG)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026New cooperation agreement between BIÖG, DOSB and dsj for more movement and prevention in youth health.
• ICOACHGIRLS+ Consortium PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026EU-funded project with Sport Ireland and other partners to get more girls active in sport.
• European Olympic Committee (EOC) - SAFE HARBOUR ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025DOSB and dsj participate in SAFE HARBOUR project coordinated by EOC, funded by Erasmus+. Project involves 26 European National Olympic Committees developing common Safe Sport protection standards.
• Sports4futureminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership since 2020 supporting climate action through sport, with dsj sustainability strategy developed in collaboration.
• DOSB (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund e.V.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOSB is the parent organization of Deutsche Sportjugend. dsj is the youth organization within DOSB, representing youth interests in German sport governance.
• TANDEM (Koordinierungszentrum für den deutsch-tschechischen Jugendaustausch)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Czech-German youth exchange coordination in sport, implementing exchange programs and professional exchanges.
• 26 European National Olympic Committees (SAFE HARBOUR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean NOKs (Belgium, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) participating in Safe Sport protection standard development.
• YOUTH for Europe (National Agency)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNational agency providing advice and support for Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps funding programs.
• Thomas More Institute and Asser InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partners in the SAFE HARBOUR project providing expertise on safeguarding in European sports.
• Japanese Sports YouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for Japanese-German youth exchange in sport, celebrating over 50 years of exchange with the 53rd Simultanaustausch.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dsj4sport
• YouTubeyoutube.com/deutschesportjugend
• Facebookfacebook.com/deutschesportjugend
• Instagraminstagram.com/deutschesportjugend

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The German Sports Youth