Organizations backed by North Rhine-Westphalia
In the heart of Germany, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is stepping in to help sports clubs grappling with financial difficulties caused by rising energy costs. The announcement was made by Stefan Zimkeit, the financial spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group in the state parliament and a member representing Oberhausen-Sterkrade.
Zimkeit has been advocating for an energy cost assistance program for non-profit organisations, including sports clubs, for quite some time. However, his calls have yet to be answered, as the state government rejected such a program last year. The aid, intended to help sports clubs with the escalating costs of electricity, gas, or oil, is now being accepted for applications by the State Sports Association.
The aid program, set to run from April 2023 to March 2024, could provide up to 60 percent of the increase in costs for eligible clubs. Zimkeit supports the subsidies, believing they offer targeted support for local volunteers who keep the sports clubs running.
Despite NRW's commitment to assisting sports clubs, a dedicated energy cost assistance program for non-profit organisations, such as cultural institutions, remains absent. As of August 2025, no publicly documented measures or programs specifically designed for this purpose have been found.
Existing funding in NRW primarily supports green start-ups, regional efforts towards energy transition, and innovation in energy technology and digital infrastructure. However, these initiatives do not extend to operational cost assistance or subsidies for existing non-profits or clubs.
Zimkeit emphasises the importance of sport for social cohesion, and regrets the delay in launching the aid program for sports clubs. He encourages those in need to apply for the assistance, but also calls for continued advocacy for a comprehensive energy cost assistance program for all non-profit organisations in NRW.
For precise, up-to-date information on energy cost assistance for non-profit organisations, contacting NRW’s energy ministry or local government offices could provide further clarity.
The energy cost assistance program, initially proposed for non-profit organizations including sports clubs, is now open for applications by the State Sports Association in NRW. However, a similar program for all non-profit organizations such as cultural institutions remains unavailable, despite repeated calls from Stefan Zimkeit, a financial spokesperson for the SPD parliamentary group in the state parliament.
