GSJ - Gesellschaft f. Sport u.Jugendsozialarbeit gGmbH

What GSJ - Gesellschaft f. Sport u.Jugendsozialarbeit gGmbH does

GSJ - Gesellschaft f. Sport und Jugendsozialarbeit gGmbH is a Berlin-based non-profit organization (gemeinnützige GmbH) that delivers sport-oriented youth social work for children and adolescents in difficult life situations. The organization operates a portfolio of programs combining sport and movement with social work methodology, including Mobile Teams (Freizeitsport-Team, Streetball Team, Projekt Erlebnisräume), SportJugendClubs, MädchenSportZentren (girls' sports centers), KICK youth facilities, school social work (Schulsozialarbeit, SchulWork, Ganztag), and activation measures (NEUKÖLLN-AKTIV, WILD-AKTIV) supporting vocational integration. GSJ serves youth across 12+ Berlin districts including social hotspots in Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Wedding, and Marzahn, with a dedicated focus on disadvantaged youth, girls, refugees/Roma communities ([ankommen] project since 2014), and at-risk youth transitioning from school to vocational training.

The organization's underlying delivery model relies on in-person program operations through its own facilities, mobile outreach teams, school-based interventions, and community events such as the annual Streetball Challenge Berlin (now in its 31st year). The core methodology is a sport-pedagogical framework that systematically combines physical activity with social work practices to address social exclusion, integration barriers, gender inequality in sports access, and unemployment risk among Berlin youth.

GSJ's business model is structured around public sector funding streams, including grants from the Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie, Berlin district offices (Bezirksämter), Landessportbund Berlin, and the Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA). As an "anerkannter freier Träger der Jugendhilfe" (recognized independent youth welfare provider), the organization qualifies for government contracts and project-based funding, with minimal revenue from nominal participant fees (e.g., €70 per 10-day summer program). The sole shareholder is the parent association Verein für Sport und Jugendsozialarbeit e.V. (VSJ), making this a non-profit structure without venture capital or institutional investor backing.

Name

GSJ - Gesellschaft f. Sport u.Jugendsozialarbeit gGmbH

Legal name

GSJ - Gesellschaft für Sport und Jugendsozialarbeit gGmbH

Website

https://gsj-berlin.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GSJ - Gesellschaft f. Sport und Jugendsozialarbeit gGmbH is a Berlin-based non-profit providing sport-oriented youth social work programs for children and adolescents in difficult life situations, funded primarily through public sector grants across 12+ Berlin districts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Development & Sports Outreach Programs (EDAIAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Community Relations & Grassroots Program Management (MPAKAKAJ), Behavioral Health & MTSS/RTI Tiered SEL Supports (EDAKAMAE)

Keywords

• Sport-oriented youth work
• Youth social services
• School social work
• Youth welfare programs
• Community sports outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public sector funding: GSJ operates as a non-profit organization (gGmbH) primarily funded through government grants from Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und Familie, district offices (Bezirksämter), and public foundations. The company is an recognized independent provider of youth welfare services (anerkannter freier Träger der Jugendhilfe).
2. Project-based funding: Various projects receive specific funding for defined periods, such as NEUKÖLLN-AKTIV, WILD-AKTIV, KICK, SchulWork, and others operating under state youth welfare programs.
3. Program participation fees: Some programs charge nominal participation fees, such as the summer program 'Mein bewegter Sommer' at 70 Euro for 10 days (reduced rate 35 Euro).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GSJ delivers sport-oriented youth social work programs for children and adolescents in difficult life situations in Berlin, systematically combining sport and movement with social-pedagogical practice. It operates a portfolio of services including Mobile Teams outreach, SportJugendClubs, MädchenSportZentren, school-based Schulsozialarbeit/Ganztag/SchulWork programs, activation measures for school-to-work transition, and special projects, all delivered directly through its own facilities, schools, and community venues across Berlin districts.

Product overview

GSJ is a non-profit organization (gGmbH) providing sport-oriented youth social work in Berlin. The organization operates a network of programs including Mobile Teams (Freizeitsport-Team, Streetball Team, Projekt Erlebnisräume), SportJugendClubs, MädchenSportZentren, KICK facilities, Schulsozialarbeit, Ganztag in Schulen, SchulWork, Aktivierungsmaßnahmen (NEUKÖLLN-AKTIV, WILD-AKTIV), and special projects like SpOrt365, GSJ NIGHTS, and the annual Streetball Challenge Berlin. These programs serve children and youth in challenging life situations, operating in social hotspots across Berlin through sports as a medium for youth social work.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mobile Teams
• SportJugendClubs
• MädchenSportZentren
• KICK
• Schulsozialarbeit (School Social Work)
• Ganztag in Schulen (Full-Day School Programs)
• SchulWork
• Aktivierungsmaßnahmen (Activation Programs)
• Streetball Challenge Berlin
• SpOrt365
• [ankommen]
• Hilfen zur Erziehung
• Mein bewegter Sommer
• SportJugendZentrum Lychi

Quantifiable outcome

• PHINEO analysis confirmed that NEUKÖLLN-AKTIV and WILD-AKTIV accomplish more than just removing barriers to employment: Sport, education and professional testing change the entire living environment of young people
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• Evangelische Hochschule BerlinstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 January 2017Evangelische Hochschule Berlin, Sportjugend Berlin and GSJ signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen sport-oriented youth social work. The partnership formalizes academic collaboration in the field.
• Netzwerk 'Inklusion im Berliner Sport'strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 October 2016GSJ has participated since 2013 in the network 'Inklusion im Berliner Sport' initiated by Landessportbund Berlin e.V. and Sportsverein Pfeffersport e.V., promoting inclusion in sports.
• Landessportbund Berlin (LSB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGSJ works closely with LSB and Sportjugend Berlin as an recognized independent youth welfare provider. GSJ participates in the network 'Inklusion im Berliner Sport' initiated by LSB and Sportsverein Pfeffersport e.V. since 2013. LSB logo appears prominently on GSJ website as key partner.
• Sportjugend BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSportjugend Berlin is a key strategic partner for GSJ. Both organizations hold annual joint meetings of their boards. Sportjugend Berlin supports various GSJ events and programs including 'Mein bewegter Sommer' summer program.
• Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Jugend und FamiliecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government funding body for youth social work programs. Provides funding for various GSJ projects including [ankommen] project, Landesprogramm Jugendsozialarbeit an Berliner Schulen, and supports programs like 'Mein bewegter Sommer'.
• Stiftung SPI (Programmagentur)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStiftung SPI serves as program agency for Berlin's state youth welfare office. GSJ participates in the Landesprogramm Jugendsozialarbeit an Berliner Schulen, with Stiftung SPI managing application and review procedures in close coordination with Senatsverwaltung.
• Verein für Sport und Jugendsozialarbeit e.V. (VSJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSJ e.V. is the sole shareholder of GSJ gGmbH. The association develops concepts like the generationenübergreifende Frauensporthalle in Marzahn and holds annual joint board meetings with GSJ and Sportjugend Berlin.
• Berliner BezirksämtercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVarious Berlin district offices (Bezirksämter) partner with GSJ for local youth programs, including Bezirksamt Pankow, Bezirksamt Reinickendorf, Bezirksamt Neukölln, Bezirksamt Spandau, and others.
• Senatsverwaltung für Justiz, Vielfalt und AntidiskriminierungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreviously funded BEIspielhaft project under the state program against right-wing extremism, racism and antisemitism. Note: Funding ended June 30, 2022.
• Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerBZgA provides GUT DRAUF certification program. SJZ Lychi achieved GUT DRAUF certification through BZgA audit. GSJ also participates in GUT DRAUF youth actions organized by BZgA.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Pfeffersport e.V. Berlin-based sport club that explicitly combines sport with social work for disadvantaged youth; co-initiator with LSB of the 'Inklusion im Berliner Sport' network in which GSJ participates, making it the closest direct peer by mission and geography.
• Sportjugend Berlin: The youth organization of the Landessportbund Berlin and a core strategic partner of GSJ; it operates overlapping sport-based youth programs across Berlin and competes for similar Senatsverwaltung and Bezirksamt funding streams.

Others

• Stiftung SPI: Berlin-based program agency administering the Landesprogramm Jugendsozialarbeit an Berliner Schulen; functions as both a strategic partner and the gatekeeper for the state program in which GSJ's SchulWork operates, making it an ecosystem peer rather than a direct competitor.
• Berliner Sport-Club (BSC) / Landessportbund Berlin: Umbrella sports organization that GSJ works closely with; not a direct youth-social-work competitor, but a key ecosystem participant that channels sport-based youth programming funding and policy in Berlin.

Broad incumbents

• Outlaw gGmbH: A larger, nationally operating freier Träger der Jugendhilfe with Berlin presence, offering school social work, youth welfare, and activation programs; competes with GSJ for the same public-sector contracts but at significantly greater scale.
• SOS Kinderdorf Berlin-Brandenburg: Large welfare organization operating youth and family services in Berlin-Brandenburg, including school social work and youth welfare; comparable freier Träger status and target population, but with residential care and national fundraising capacity GSJ lacks.
• Caritas Berlin: Berlin arm of the Caritas welfare network, providing youth social work, migration services, and family support; competes for the same Senatsverwaltung contracts and serves overlapping disadvantaged-youth populations, with a far larger donor and volunteer base.
• Diakonie Berlin: Berlin chapter of the Diakonie welfare network, offering youth welfare, school social work, and integration programs; shares GSJ's freier Träger status and public funding model but operates at multi-state scale with a stronger fundraising apparatus.
• Internationaler Bund (IB Berlin): National freier Träger with substantial Berlin operations in youth social work, migration services, and school-based programs; directly comparable to GSJ in target population and funding sources, but with a much larger national infrastructure.

Regional players

• Kinderschutzbund Berlin: Berlin chapter of the Deutscher Kinderschutzbund focused on child welfare, counseling, and family support; shares GSJ's freier Träger status and Berlin focus, with comparable but child-welfare-rather-than-sport-oriented programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4EqRjZyrj1ZgnG9dBM3hdw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gsj---gesellschaft-f.-sport-u.jugendsozialarbeit-ggmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about GSJ - Gesellschaft f. Sport u.Jugendsozialarbeit gGmbH