‘Jugend ahoi’ will soon become a motto seen again on the waterways of Köpenick. The independent organisation Roter Baum Berlin's mobile youth centre, the Langer See, brings leisure activities for young people to Müggelheim, Schmöckwitz and Grünau by water, i.e. to places where there are no longer any permanent facilities for children and young people.

The centre of the programme is currently still a rented houseboat that serves as a meeting place and event space. Under the motto ‘Eisern für Menschlichkeit’ (Eisern for humanity), 1. FC Union Berlin and their foundation ‘UNION VEREINT. Schulter an Schulter’ are collecting donations to support the construction of a boat that is specifically designed for youth work.

‘Jugend ahoi’ promotes team spirit, creativity, community and self-confidence; it strengthens young people's understanding of democracy and supports their personal development, ad, as such, they are actively involved in the design of the youth centre. The programme ranges from sporting activities such as stand-up paddling or football to creative projects such as graffiti workshops and cooking afternoons. Educational opportunities, environmental projects and participatory crew meetings, where young people democratically decide on processes and plans, round off the services offered by the mobile youth centre.

The men's team will run onto the pitch for their home game against FC Bayern München on Saturday with the message ‘Eisern für Menschlichkeit’ on the front of their red T-shirts. These warm-up shirts from equipment supplier adidas will then be signed after the game and auctioned off in aid of the mobile youth centre on the club's own auction platform.

The women's team will also be wearing the themed shirts for their home game against SC Sand on 23 March, and will donate them to the auction afterwards. The proceeds from the auction and the donations will go in full to the ‘Jugend ahoi’ project.

"We are enthusiastic about the idea of reaching young people in Köpenick via the waterways. This project fits perfectly with the work of our foundation, so we are happy to provide this support," said Christian Arbeit, chairman of the "UNION VEREINT. Schulter an Schulter" foundation. "We are providing advice, raising awareness with the campaign on two match days of the professional teams and financial support. We hope that this project will be a complete success and offer many young people a new home on the water." 

 The Union Foundation also accepts donations in favour of ‘Jugend ahoi’:

• Siftung ‘UNION VEREINT. Schulter an Schulter’
  Reference: Jugend ahoi
  Paypal: info@fc-union-stiftung.de
• Berliner Volksbank
  IBAN DE50 1009 0000 2876 1440 02
  BIC BEVODEBBXXX