What Schalker Fanprojekt does

Schalker Fanprojekt is a non-profit social-pedagogical fan project established in January 1994 in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, operating under the Nationales Konzept Sport und Sicherheit (NKSS) framework. It serves FC Schalke 04 fans through direct social work rather than commercial products. Its core service portfolio spans matchday fan support at VELTINS Arena (FP-Stand and #stehtauf Anlaufstelle), supervised youth away-game trips for ages 14–17 under the "Auf Achse" program, stadium-ban assistance and representation before the Stadionverbotsgremium, individual case work, and leisure/anti-discrimination activities (Montagskick, Lauftreff, Streetsoccer-Tour, Antidiskriminierung, Hömma). The organization runs a political-education sub-brand, "Schalke macht Schule," operating as one of 12 Lernort Stadion learning centers nationwide, delivering three-day social-skills training to approximately 450 students per season. A second sub-brand, "#hello," delivers democracy and social-skills training for unaccompanied minor refugees in Gelsenkirchen integration classes via a Teach First partnership.

The fan project is also a co-operator in sector-level infrastructure: it co-runs MeDiF-NRW, an NRW-wide discrimination reporting portal housed at LAG Fanprojekte NRW that documented nearly 2,500 reports by March 2025 since its July 2022 launch, and contributes to the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Fanprojekte (BAG) and LAG Fanprojekte NRW coordination. The core underlying "technology" is the NKSS-compliant social-pedagogical methodology — oral hearings, anti-discrimination workshops, supervised travel, and community-based learning — rather than software or IP. A separate online psychosocial counseling channel, Fan-Support (fan-support.de), extends service reach digitally.

The revenue model is grant-funded and non-commercial. Core institutional funding comes from the DFL (Deutsche Fußball Liga), Stadt Gelsenkirchen, and the Ministerium für Kinder, Familie, Flüchtlinge und Integration NRW (MKFFI), with the Trägerschaft held by Gelsensport e.V. Program-specific grants are received from Bundesliga-Stiftung, Aktion Mensch, Schalke hilft!, and Quartierfonds Schalke-Nord. The only user-paid stream is heavily subsidized Auf Achse trip participation (€15–25 per participant). Service delivery is go-to-market via in-person outreach, partner referrals (notably FC Schalke 04's Abteilung Fanbelange), and a website plus Facebook/Instagram presence — there is no commercial sales motion.

Name

Schalker Fanprojekt

Legal name

Schalker Fanprojekt

Website

https://schalker-fanprojekt.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Schalker Fanprojekt is a non-profit social-pedagogical fan project in Gelsenkirchen, founded 1994, that delivers NKSS-based social work to FC Schalke 04 fans — including youth away-game tours, stadium-ban advocacy, anti-discrimination reporting (MeDiF-NRW, #stehtauf), and political-education programs (Schalke macht Schule, #hello) for schools and refugees, funded by DFL, the city, and the state of NRW.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fan Social Work and Youth Outreach

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Other Spectator Sports (711219), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF)

Keywords

• Fan social work
• Youth outreach programs
• Anti-discrimination services
• Political education
• Stadium safety support

Headquarters

HQ city

Gelsenkirchen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Institutional Funding: Core funding from DFL (Deutsche Fußball Liga), Stadt Gelsenkirchen, and Ministerium für Kinder, Familie, Flüchtlinge und Integration NRW. Additional project-specific funding from Bundesliga-Stiftung, Schalke hilft!, and other partners.
2. Program-specific Grants: Schalke macht Schule receives support from Bundesliga-Stiftung and Aktion Mensch. The #hello project for unaccompanied minor refugees is funded by MKFFI NRW and coordinated by LAG Fanprojekte NRW.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Schalker Fanprojekt delivers social-pedagogical fan work for supporters of FC Schalke 04, offering under-18 matchday bus tours, in-stadium accompaniment, individual counseling for fans with stadium bans, anti-discrimination reporting, political education, and integration programs for newly arrived young fans. The organization operates as a neutral mediator between fans, club, police, and social authorities under the Nationales Konzept Sport und Sicherheit (NKSS).

Product overview

Schalker Fanprojekt operates as a comprehensive social work organization serving FC Schalke 04 fans, offering a diverse portfolio of services organized around youth support, fan assistance, discrimination prevention, political education, and community engagement. The core offerings include Auf Achse (U18-Touren) for supervised youth away game trips, Stadionverbote assistance for fans facing stadium bans, and MeDiF-NRW for discrimination reporting. The Schalke macht Schule learning center provides political education programs in the Veltins Arena, while #hello supports refugee youth integration. Additional services include readings/lectures, anti-discrimination projects, leisure pedagogy, the #stehtauf safe space at matches, and Fan-Support online psychosocial counseling. The organization functions as a social pedagogical fan project established in 1994 under the National Concept Sport and Security (NKSS) framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Schalke macht Schule: Learning center providing political education and social competence training for youth in Gelsenkirchen schools at the Veltins Arena.
• Auf Achse
• #hello

Products and services

• Auf Achse (Under-18 away-match bus tours) Supervised bus tours to away Bundesliga matches for FC Schalke 04 supporters under the age of 18, providing safe travel, peer-group experience, and pedagogical support during trips.
• Einzelfallhilfe / Beratung (Individual counseling) One-on-one social-pedagogical counseling for individual fans dealing with personal, social, family, or authority-related issues, including support with stadium-ban procedures.
• Spieltagsbegleitung (Matchday accompaniment) In-stadium and surrounding-area accompaniment of FC Schalke 04 fans on matchdays, providing a neutral on-site contact for de-escalation, conflict mediation, and welfare support.
• Stadionverbots-Beratung (Stadium ban assistance) Counseling and procedural support for fans affected by stadium bans, including mediation with the Stadionverbotsgremium and assistance with appeal and reintegration processes.
• Schalke macht Schule (Learning location) An out-of-school learning location built around FC Schalke 04, delivering project-based education in partnership with local schools.
• #hello (Refugee integration program) Football-based integration and community program for young refugees and newly arrived migrants, focused on social participation and access to local peer networks.
• MeDiF-NRW (Discrimination reporting) Online reporting and case-management service that allows fans to document incidents of discrimination in connection with football in NRW and route them to appropriate support services.
• #stehtauf Anlaufstelle (Safe reporting space) Confidential walk-in reporting space where fans can safely disclose incidents (including discrimination, violence, or other harms) and access follow-up support.
• Fan-Support online psychosocial counseling Confidential online psychosocial counseling for football fans nationwide, delivered through a shared digital platform operated by the German fan-project network.
• Freizeitpädagogik & Ferienangebote (Leisure and holiday programs) Structured leisure-pedagogical programs for young Schalke fans, including regular football meet-ups, a running group, and an open drop-in meeting point, plus holiday activities.
• Politische Bildung & Veranstaltungen (Political education and events) Political education programming delivered through reading events, lectures, and targeted projects (including Hömma, Derby Zivilcourage, and the Streetsoccer-Tour) designed to strengthen civil courage and democratic awareness among fans.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• DFL (Deutsche Fußball Liga)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary institutional funder of the Schalker Fanprojekt, along with Stadt Gelsenkirchen and Ministerium für Kinder, Familie, Flüchtlinge und Integration NRW.
• Stadt Gelsenkirchen (City of Gelsenkirchen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore institutional funding partner for the fan project operations.
• Ministerium für Kinder, Familie, Flüchtlinge und Integration NRW (MKFFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore funder of the Schalker Fanprojekt and specific funder of the #hello project for unaccompanied minor refugees. Also funds MeDiF-NRW through State Chancellery.
• FC Schalke 04coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides tickets for youth Auf Achse tours and supports fan project initiatives. Fan relations department (Abteilung Fanbelange) works closely with the project. Supports Stadionverbotsgremium.
• Gelsensport e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTräger (organizational sponsor) of the Schalker Fanprojekt.
• Bundesliga-Stiftung (DFL Stiftung)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary current funder of Schalke macht Schule learning center, along with Aktion Mensch. Also supports the fan project as institutional partner.
• Schalke hilft!majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFC Schalke 04's own foundation provides essential support for creating positive framework conditions for Schalke macht Schule.
• LAG Fanprojekte NRW e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level umbrella organization coordinating the 16 fan projects in NRW. Coordinates the MeDiF-NRW discrimination reporting project. Responsible for organizing Football Culture Days NRW.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Fanprojekte (BAG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational umbrella organization for fan projects in Germany, providing coordination and standards.
• Lernort Stadion e.V.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational umbrella organization for learning centers in stadiums. Schalke macht Schule is founding member. Schalker Fanprojekt is organized through this network.
• Koordinierungsstelle Fanprojekte (KOS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination office for fan projects, operating under dsj (Deutsche Sportjugend), providing national coordination.
• Aktion MenschmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompetence partner for Bundesliga-Stiftung on inclusion topics, supporting the Lernort Stadion project.
• DFB (Deutscher Fußball-Bund)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Football Association, partner organization visible in logo display.
• Brune BusseminorOthersBus company from Gelsenkirchen providing the 50-person coaches for Auf Achse U18 tours on a reliable basis.
• Ehrenamtsagentur GelsenkirchenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer agency that distributes 'community service' participants to social institutions in Gelsenkirchen for first-time offenders to perform voluntary work instead of receiving stadium bans.
• MeDiF-NRW (Meldestelle für Diskriminierung im Fußball)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscrimination reporting center in NRW football, housed at LAG Fanprojekte NRW. As of March 2025, nearly 2500 discrimination incidents have been documented since July 2022 launch. Coordinates with Ruhr-Universität Bochum for research.
• Supportersclub e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporter organization that is a practical partner for Football Culture Days NRW 2025.
• Anno 1904 e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical society partner supporting Football Culture Days NRW 2025.
• Schalker Fan-Initiative e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFan initiative partner for Football Culture Days NRW 2025.
• Schalker Fan-Club Verband e.V. (SFCV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFan club umbrella organization partner for Football Culture Days NRW 2025.
• Teach FirstminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork partner active in Integration and Promotion Classes (IFÖ) in NRW schools, cooperating with the #hello project.
• DatenpunksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital rights organization that co-hosted a digital lecture on protecting fan culture from surveillance with LAG Fanprojekte NRW on February 17, 2025.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Koordinierungsstelle Fanprojekte (KOS): National coordination office for fan projects, operating under dsj (Deutsche Sportjugend). Direct peer organization providing standards, advocacy and coordination for the same social-pedagogical fan work.
• Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Fanprojekte (BAG): National umbrella organization for German football fan projects. Direct peer in mandate and constituency — sets standards and coordinates the network of social-pedagogical fan projects of which Schalker Fanprojekt is a member.
• Lernort Stadion e.V. National umbrella for the 12 stadium-based learning centers. Schalker Fanprojekt's Schalke macht Schule is a founding member; comparable mission of using Bundesliga venues for political education and social competency training.
• Fanprojekt München (FC Bayern): Fan project serving FC Bayern München supporters. Direct peer operating under the same DFL-funded NKSS model with comparable service portfolio including matchday support, youth programs and discrimination reporting.
• Fanprojekt Köln: Fan project serving 1. FC Köln supporters in the same NRW state network (LAG Fanprojekte NRW). Direct peer operating identical services (matchday support, youth work, anti-discrimination) in a comparable urban environment.
• Fanprojekt Dortmund: Social-pedagogical fan project serving BVB Dortmund supporters under the same NKSS framework. Most direct functional peer given comparable Bundesliga club fan base and stadium-ban advocacy work.
• LAG Fanprojekte NRW: State-level umbrella for the 16 fan projects in NRW. Houses MeDiF-NRW and coordinates Football Culture Days NRW; Schalker Fanprojekt is a member and direct peer in operating model.
• Fanprojekt Hamburg: Fan project affiliated with HSV in Hamburg. Comparable NKSS-based fan project delivering matchday support, youth tours, and political education to a Bundesliga club fan community.
• Fanprojekt Berlin: Fan project serving Hertha BSC supporters. Comparable in delivering the full portfolio of NKSS-based social services to a Bundesliga club fan base in a major German city.

Others

• Schalker Fan-Initiative e.V. Schalke supporter organization and partner for Football Culture Days NRW. Adjacent peer serving the same fan community through organized supporter representation rather than social-pedagogical work.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/schalke.macht.schule
• Instagraminstagram.com/schalke_macht_schule
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schalker-fanprojekt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Schalker Fanprojekt