KoFaS Berlin is a non-profit organization that has been promoting social work in football since 2012. It advocates for dialogue, conflict resolution, and diversity to create an inclusive football culture. The interdisciplinary team brings extensive expertise to the projects.
KoFaS, the abbreviation for "Kompetenzgruppe Fankulturen und Sportbezogene Soziale Arbeit," is a non-profit organization that has focused on the interface between theory and practice in football and football fan culture since 2012. Founded under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Gunter A. Pilz at the Institute of Sports Science at Leibniz University Hannover, KoFaS has developed into an independent GmbH, which has been based in Berlin since 2021.
KoFaS offers a variety of services that focus on three main areas:
The mission of KoFaS is to strengthen and professionalize social work in football through research, consulting, and training. The organization advocates for the application of democratic principles, the promotion of dialogue and participation, as well as the fight against discrimination and the promotion of diversity. KoFaS works closely with network organizations such as associations, fan projects, police, clubs, and civil society.
Although KoFaS primarily focuses on social aspects, its work also reflects a commitment to sustainable and responsible practices. By promoting dialogue and participation as well as addressing conflicts, KoFaS contributes to developing a positive and inclusive football culture. Its work is long-term and aims to achieve lasting changes in the football world.
The interdisciplinary team of KoFaS consists of experienced experts such as Franciska Wölki-Schumacher, Jonas Gabler, Cristin Gießler, Dr. Almut Sülzle, Jan König, and Alexandra Vogel. These experts bring extensive knowledge and experience in the fields of social work, conflict resolution, and diversity, ensuring the high quality and effectiveness of KoFaS's services.