This Partnership Is a Testament to the Power of Football Beyond the Pitch
Interview with Christina Gassner, Director of Institutional and Political Relations & Strategy at the German Football Association (DFB)
“Over the years, the collaboration between GIZ and DFB has reached young people in many different settings. Can you share a moment or example that particularly moved or inspired you during this time?”
Certainly, the Future Leaders in Football (FLF) programme has been one of the most inspiring elements of our collaboration. Since 2021, we have brought together young female (future) leaders from football ecosystems around the world to connect, learn, and grow together. The 2024 edition was especially powerful: we invited top alumni from previous cohorts—mainly from the Middle East and Europe—for an advanced leadership module. Witnessing how these young women supported each other by openly sharing their challenges and experiences was deeply moving. It showed us the strength of peer learning and the transformative power of football as a platform for empowerment.
“What role do you see young leaders—especially from partner countries of German development cooperation—playing in promoting gender equality and female leadership in and through sports?”
Young leaders from partner countries are at the forefront of driving change in their communities. Through the FLF programme, we have seen how they challenge traditional gender roles, advocate for inclusive policies, and create safe spaces for women in sport. Their local knowledge, passion, and resilience make them powerful agents of change. By equipping them with leadership and management skills, we are not only supporting individual growth—we are investing in a ripple effect that promotes gender equality and strengthens female leadership across entire football ecosystems. At the same time, we have observed that women across different contexts often face similar challenges, and that acknowledging this has made intercultural exchange within the programme particularly valuable.
“Looking ahead, the DFB and GIZ will continue their cooperation—including the Future Leaders in Football programme. What are your hopes or priorities for the next phase of the partnership? Where do you see new opportunities or areas to deepen the impact?”
Sports for development is a great tool for enabling social change, and we are proud to continue this partnership with GIZ. Looking ahead, we aim to expand our reach to regions where FLF has been less active—particularly North and South America. Upcoming FIFA tournaments offer a perfect opportunity to leave a lasting legacy in these regions. Strengthening the FLF alumni network and ensuring its sustainability is another priority. Beyond FLF, we’re committed to continuing our work in the broader field of Sports for Development, and we hope our partners will do the same. Over the past editions, we have also benefited greatly from the expertise and engagement of local stakeholders, which we plan to build on further.
“The partnership between DFB and GIZ has spanned more than a decade, working at the intersection of football and development cooperation. From your perspective, what makes this collaboration so valuable—and why is it important for the DFB to be engaged in this kind of international partnership?”
This partnership is a testament to the power of football beyond the pitch. For the DFB, engaging in international cooperation is both a responsibility and an opportunity. We have been doing so for decades. Working with GIZ allows us to combine our football expertise with development know-how to create meaningful impact. It is a collaboration rooted in shared values—empowerment, inclusion, and sustainability. Over the years, we have learned from each other, adapted to different contexts, and built a strong foundation for using football as a tool for positive change. It is this synergy that makes the partnership so valuable—and why we’re committed to continuing it.
Photos: Portrait © DFB/Thomas Boecker; Article Photo © DFB/Nico Florow