Borussia Dortmund and UNICEF join forces – Together for children worldwide

Borussia Dortmund and UNICEF join forces – Together for children worldwide

Borussia Dortmund, one of Europe’s most passionate and community-driven football clubs, has announced a heartwarming and visionary partnership with UNICEF titled “Together for Children Worldwide.” The initiative represents more than a traditional sponsorship—it’s a powerful union between football and humanitarianism. It aims to use the global influence of Borussia Dortmund to raise awareness, inspire action, and directly impact the lives of vulnerable children across continents.

The announcement came during an emotional event at Signal Iduna Park, where the club’s leadership, players, and youth representatives stood alongside UNICEF officials to unveil the campaign’s logo—a bright yellow circle symbolizing unity, compassion, and hope, intertwined with the club’s iconic black stripes. Head coach Edin Terzić, known not just for his tactical brilliance but for his deep connection to Dortmund’s local community, emphasized that football has always been more than a game in this city—it’s a family, a responsibility, and a bridge to the world.

At its core, the partnership aims to tackle issues that continue to rob millions of children of their right to safety, education, and opportunity. Borussia Dortmund’s contribution will extend far beyond financial support. The club plans to host annual charity matches, open training sessions dedicated to UNICEF’s causes, and educational campaigns both in Germany and abroad. These will focus on improving access to education in underprivileged regions, providing clean water, and supporting children affected by war, displacement, and natural disasters.

One of the standout features of the initiative is the introduction of the BVB Children’s Academy Program, a project that will merge football training with life skills education. The program will be rolled out in countries where UNICEF is already active—starting in Nigeria, Nepal, and Brazil. Dortmund’s coaches will collaborate with local communities and UNICEF educators to create safe spaces for children to learn teamwork, discipline, and self-confidence through sport.

The club’s CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke, expressed that this collaboration reflects Borussia Dortmund’s long-standing values of solidarity and respect. Over the years, BVB has consistently worked to support children’s welfare within the Ruhr region, but this marks the first time the club is stepping into a truly global mission. Through the new initiative, fans from all around the world are encouraged to participate in what’s being called the Black and Yellow for Blue campaign—a play on colors representing BVB and UNICEF respectively. The campaign will allow fans to donate, volunteer, and share stories of hope using digital platforms, ensuring the movement transcends stadium walls and reaches classrooms, homes, and refugee camps worldwide.

In addition, a special edition Borussia Dortmund kit is set to be released later this season, featuring the UNICEF logo on the sleeve. All proceeds from the sales will go toward funding school supplies, sports facilities, and trauma counseling for children in crisis zones. The players have also pledged to personally engage with children’s programs during off-season tours. For instance, when Dortmund travels for their pre-season friendlies next summer, they plan to dedicate a day in each host country to visiting UNICEF-supported schools and clinics.

Coach Terzić spoke passionately about how the players have embraced this partnership as part of their club identity. He mentioned that many of his players come from humble beginnings, and they understand what it means to grow up with limited opportunities. To them, being part of this mission isn’t an obligation—it’s a calling. Terzić plans to integrate elements of the UNICEF campaign into team activities, such as mentorship programs where senior players correspond with children in partner schools, offering encouragement and sharing their personal stories of perseverance.

The partnership also has a local dimension. Within Dortmund itself, UNICEF and the club will collaborate on child-focused mental health programs, recognizing the growing importance of psychological well-being in young people. Workshops, counseling centers, and family support initiatives will be introduced across North Rhine-Westphalia, with Signal Iduna Park becoming a venue for awareness events.

The initiative’s global rollout is scheduled to begin next month, and early responses from fans have been overwhelmingly positive. Social media channels flooded with messages of pride and support, as BVB supporters celebrated the club’s commitment to doing more than chasing trophies. Many described this as one of the most meaningful partnerships in modern football—a reminder that the power of sport lies not only in the joy it brings on the pitch but in the change it can inspire beyond it.

This collaboration between Borussia Dortmund and UNICEF sends a clear message to the world: football has the ability to unite, to heal, and to empower. In a time when many children are caught in cycles of poverty, displacement, and uncertainty, the sight of the famous black and yellow standing shoulder to shoulder with UNICEF’s blue emblem carries a symbol of hope. It shows that victory is not only measured by goals and trophies but by lives uplifted and futures restored.

As the project unfolds, both organizations are optimistic that this partnership will serve as a model for others in the sporting world. Borussia Dortmund’s passion, fan culture, and sense of community have always set it apart. Now, with UNICEF by its side, the club is extending that spirit of togetherness to every corner of the world—proving that when compassion meets commitment, even the biggest dreams of children can become reality.