🔋 16,000 volts of volunteer energy set to ignite UEFA EURO 2024!
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
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The countdown to the most electrifying football spectacle is on! With a team of 16,000 passionate volunteers from 124 nations welcoming fans from all over the world, UEFA EURO 2024 is set to become an unforgettable experience across Germany's ten vibrant host cities.
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Picture this: the thrill, the pride, the sheer excitement of living and breathing EURO from the inside. That's precisely what our team of volunteers is gearing up for this summer! Supported by our official national partner ERGO, the volunteer team sifted through over 146,000 applications, conducted 25,000 interviews, and teamed up with 16,000 diverse, motivated, and skilled individuals to ensure EURO 2024 is a resounding success.
These unsung heroes are essential to the tournament, working tirelessly alongside UEFA and local staff behind the scenes to make things run smoothly. But who are these volunteers? Let's break it down:
- 32.2% are first-time volunteers, while 67.8% have done it before
- 124 nationalities
- 36.8 years old on average
- 52.8% male, 47.1% female, and 0.1% non-binary
Whether it’s your first time, or if you are a regular, being a volunteer is a one-of-a-kind adventure: a very hands-on job, which could encompass anything from interacting with fans to driving trucks and assisting with accreditation. Every skill is invaluable!
So, what fuels the passion of our volunteers? Here are the hottest spots requested:
- Match organisation ⚽
- Fan welcome & info ℹ️
- Ticketing 🎫
- Driving 🚗
- Fan zones 🧣
A role for everyone
Volunteers extend their impact far beyond the confines of the stadium. Roles that may not seem directly tied to the game are crucial for ensuring smooth operations. Take, for instance, this year's 'Get Trained, Save Lives’ campaign, which emphasises the significance of first aid gestures and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
In support of this initiative, we require volunteers to assist in fan zones, where spectators can learn and practice CPR techniques on mannequins, under the guidance of trained professionals. This opportunity resonated deeply with Vanessa, who is not only passionate about football but is also pursuing studies in the medical field.
Vanessa (24) - CPR Volunteer in Gelsenkirchen
"I'm really looking forward to supporting such a big event as a volunteer. I've always been a football fan and when the EURO came to Germany, it was clear to me that I wanted to apply as a volunteer so that I could take a look behind the scenes. I am all the more happy that I have been accepted as a CPR volunteer in the fan zone in Gelsenkirchen. I think it's very important to teach this important topic (in a playful way) to all fans and to raise awareness of it. For me, it also fits in perfectly with my medical studies. It will certainly be a lot of fun and I'm also looking forward to getting to know lots of people and other cultures."
Now that the team is complete, what's next?
The first volunteers will be under the spotlight for the France-Germany friendly game in Lyon, France, following a new partnership between UEFA EURO 2024 GmbH, the German Football Association (DFB), the French Football Federation (FFF) and the Franco-German Youth Office.
In March, volunteers will be invited to complete e-learning training, before heading to the on-site briefing in May/June. Between mid-April and early May, we will run ten volunteer kick-off events in all host cities.
In May, some volunteers will already spring into action at the IBC (International Broadcast Centre) in Leipzig .
Eugen (65) - Accreditation Volunteer in Stuttgart
"I've been a volunteer with the Baden Football Association for over 20 years and, having already been a volunteer at UEFA EURO 2020 in Munich, I didn't hesitate very long to apply again. It was a unique experience three years ago and a very nice memory. This time I'll be volunteering for around 20-25 days and I'm already looking forward to being part of a great team and spending time together. It will once again be a unique atmosphere!"
