September 5, 2024, Beijing. Recently, Volkswagen, in collaboration with its charity partner One Foundation, launched the 2024 Volkswagen Football Charity Day and Wolfsburg Football Camp. Coaches from the Bundesliga team VfL Wolfsburg’s youth team visited Zeyue Primary School in Guangming Town, Xide County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, and Xuekoushan Town Central School in Mabian Yi Autonomous County, Sichuan Province, bringing professional German football training and engaging football activities to nearly 1,000 children in the region. In addition, to further support local children with equal opportunities to enjoy football safely, helping them courageously pursue their dreams in development, Volkswagen donated five "Dream+" football fields and 1,500 "Volkswagen Football Charity Kits" to youth in regions with limited football resources. The five schools receiving these donations are located in Chuanshan Town, Liuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; Gulang County, Wuwei City, Gansu Province; Zhongning County, Zhongwei City, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region; Zhenkang County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province; and Wuchuan Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, Zunyi City, Guizhou Province.

Stefan Mecha, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Brand for China, said: "The passion, discipline, perseverance, and team spirit that football embodies are closely aligned with the essence of the Volkswagen brand. Globally, Volkswagen actively supports football. In China, we have been committed to youth football development for eleven consecutive years. Through our football charity initiatives, we aim to support the growth and development of young people, allowing more youth to experience the spirit of football, enjoy the game, and build a positive and optimistic outlook on life."

At Zeyue Primary School in Guangming Town, Xide County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, and Xuekoushan Town Central School in Mabian Yi Autonomous County, professional youth coaches from VfL Wolfsburg conducted a variety of football training sessions for nearly 1,000 local students. These sessions included courses about football theory, culture, and skill. Through the sessions, the students enhanced their skill sets, experienced the charm of football and appreciated the significance of hard perseverance, resilience and team spirit in football. Additionally, the project introduced advanced German youth training concepts and methods to local rural PE teachers, helping them broaden their perspectives and refine their teaching approaches, thereby enhancing the quality of youth football activities in the region.

Mr. Li Hong, Secretary-General of the One Foundation, said: "The majority of rural areas still lack football resources, and sustaining football activities remains a challenge. We are delighted that Volkswagen is bringing high-quality football resources to children and youth in rural areas, helping them enjoy football more safely, equally, and joyfully, while also shaping their optimism, resilience, and confidence. Additionally, through the power of charity, we hope to draw more public attention to the needs of children and youth in rural areas for their development and growth."

40 Years Volkswagen in China, Never Stop. Adhering to the “In China, For China” strategy, Volkswagen Group China has actively fulfilled its corporate social responsibility over its 40-year presence in China. By effectively leveraging corporate resources, Volkswagen has designed a series of impactful CSR projects. Since joining the "Rainbow Bridge Program" in 2013, Volkswagen has utilized its extensive football resources to support the development of youth football in China for eleven consecutive years. Over this period, Volkswagen has launched a series of football-themed charity initiatives in both China and Germany, including the "Youth Football Training Camp," the "Train-the-Trainer Program," and the "Football Charity Day." With a focus on grassroots youth football, these initiatives aim to share football culture and spirit with young players and contribute to the high-quality development of youth football in China. So far, the Volkswagen Youth Football project has positively impacted more than 100,000 young footballers and trained over 650 grassroots coaches.

In the future, Volkswagen will continue to collaborate with partners to support the development of Chinese society. Through the youth football project, Volkswagen aims to support the healthy growth and development of young people. 

2024 Volkswagen Football Charity Day and Wolfsburg Football Camp visited Xuekoushan Town Central School in Mabian Yi Autonomous County, Sichuan Province

2024 Volkswagen Football Charity Day and Wolfsburg Football Camp visited Zeyue Primary School in Guangming Town, Xide County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture

Volkswagen donated five "Dream+" football fields and 1,500 "Volkswagen Football Charity Kits" to youth in regions with limited football resources

Volkswagen, in collaboration with its charity partner One Foundation, launched the 2024 Volkswagen Football Charity Day and Wolfsburg Football Camp

Local students experienced the spirit of football through a series of football activities

Coaches from the Bundesliga team VfL Wolfsburg’s youth team visited local schools

The football camp brought professional German football training and engaging football activities to local children