From association law to AI: Training programme for ‘LUnited’ club managers

20 Teilnehmende aus Ludwigshafen und Mannheim

Ludwigshafen, 21 September 2026 – Last Saturday saw the start of the second round of the “Club Manager” training programme. This joint project between the Engagement Agency LUnited, Ludwigshafen Adult Education Centre and – for the first time – the City of Mannheim has attracted a great deal of interest: all 20 available places were filled before the registration deadline. The first seven provisional bookings for the next round have already been received.

• Strong interest in training programmes for volunteers from clubs

The participants represent the full spectrum of the voluntary sector: from a large sports and recreation association (ESV) with 3,000 members to an initiative that is currently in the process of being set up. The areas of involvement are also diverse: alongside sport and culture, animal welfare and environmental protection, citizen representation and the senior citizens’ council, IT and digital support, social services and learning support are all represented.

Across 14 modules and a total of 58 teaching units, participants acquire practical knowledge for the successful and sustainable management of associations. The range of topics extends from association law, finance and membership recruitment, through public relations, social media and data protection, to event organisation and the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence in day-to-day association life. The training is led by experienced specialist tutors from the fields of practice, administration and business.

“I see this further training as an opportunity to combine my existing practical experience with perspectives from the voluntary sector and to draw valuable insights from this for our work at Müttersprache e.V.”

Bianca Kollinger, Müttersprache e.V., Mannheim

“My motivation is to deepen and broaden my existing knowledge. Acquiring a theoretical grounding is an essential part of dealing with the complexity of the issues that those responsible for associations have to address in today’s world. The concept of networking is the second key reason. Exchanging ideas and networking with like-minded people brings new ideas and approaches that can help drive one’s own club forward.”

Jörg Joachim, ESV Eisenbahner-Sportverein 1927 e.V., Ludwigshafen

With this training programme, the cooperation partners are responding to the growing need for skills amongst volunteers. Clubs make an indispensable contribution to social cohesion, yet at the same time face increasing challenges, such as recruiting members, digitalisation or meeting legal requirements.

“We are delighted that, together with our partners, we have been able to extend the club manager training programme to clubs in Mannheim as well. The strong demand shows just how great the need is for practical training in the voluntary sector. In return, since the start of 2026, our entire range of further training courses has also been available to clubs in Ludwigshafen at reduced rates,” says Sarah Schmitt, Commissioner for Civic Engagement for the City of Mannheim.

“People who take on responsibility in clubs invest countless hours of their free time for the common good. With the club manager training programme, we want to give something back to them: knowledge, confidence and practical tools that make their important work easier and prepare their clubs for the future,” says Petra-Paula Marquardt, Head of the Department for Politics, Society and the Environment at VHS Ludwigshafen.

“The overwhelming response has exceeded our expectations. Twenty places filled and already five people on the waiting list for the next intake send a strong signal. The clubs want to gain qualifications and respond actively to social changes. That is precisely why we created this programme,” says Marion Lichti, Head of the Engagement Agency LUnited.

The current training course runs until the end of January 2027 and concludes with a certificate.

LUnited The Engagement Agency is based in Ludwigshafen and was initiated and is supported by BASF and the State Chancellery of Rhineland-Palatinate. As well as providing advisory and training services for organisations and volunteers, LUnited also organises networking events and volunteering fairs such as “One City, 1,000 Organisations” on 2 October at the Rhein-Galerie in Ludwigshafen.