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Sports, Clubs & Volunteering in Bielefeld

Play sports, join a club or volunteer in Bielefeld

Progress0 of 6 steps completed

Sports, Clubs & Volunteering in Bielefeld

Responsible authority

Bielefeld Volunteer Agency

Stadtbibliothek Bielefeld, 1. Etage, Neumarkt 1, 33602 Bielefeld

Ehrenamtskarte NRW (participating since August 2024). Club register: Amtsgericht Bielefeld.

✅ Online application: Yes🔓 Appointment: Walk-in possible

Online application ↗

Beratung Mittwoch 15:00–17:00 Uhr oder nach Vereinbarung, Tel. 0521 32 99 530.

•Teilnahme an der Ehrenamtskarte NRW seit August 2024
•Anlaufstelle befindet sich in der Stadtbibliothek Bielefeld

Official sources: Freiwilligenagentur Bielefeld – Ehrenamtskarte, Einführung Ehrenamtskarte NRW in Bielefeld · As of 2026-08

6 Schritte · ca. 4 Minuten0%

✓ Du bist in 4 Minuten fertig

Step 1⏱ 2–5 Min

Find sports & leisure activities

Through the Bielefeld Sports Office you can find information on sports clubs, sports facilities and leisure activities in Bielefeld.

⚠️Many clubs offer free trial sessions – take advantage of this opportunity!

⏰ No deadline💰 0 €

💡 Weitere Tipps

Bielefeld Sports Office: central point of contact for sports clubs, sports facilities and leisure activities
Many sports clubs offer free trial training – take advantage of this opportunity
German Sports Badge (Sportabzeichen): annual events to participate

Bielefeld Sports Office↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 2⏱ 5–10 Min

Join a club

Contact your chosen club directly. Most clubs offer a free trial session. Membership usually starts with an application form.

⚠️Pay attention to cancellation periods – often 3 months before year end!

⏰ No deadline💰 Mitgliedsbeitrag je nach Verein (meist 5-30 €/Monat)

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

ID card(Required)

For identification

SEPA direct debit mandate(Required)

For fee payment

Medical certificate (for some sports)(Optional)

Depending on sport

💡 Weitere Tipps

Trial training is usually free
Ask about discounts for families, students or unemployed
Many clubs offer flexible memberships
Children and youth often pay reduced fees

Bielefeld Sports Office↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 3⏱ 5–10 Min

Find & take on volunteering

The Bielefeld Volunteer Agency matches suitable volunteer engagements. The contact point is located in the Bielefeld City Library.

⚠️Volunteering is insured! NRW has collective liability and accident insurance for volunteers.

⏰ No deadline💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

ID card(Required)

For identification

Extended certificate of conduct (when working with children/youth)(Optional)

Free for volunteers

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•Personal advice at the Bielefeld Volunteer Agency: Bielefeld City Library, 1st floor, Neumarkt 1, 33602 Bielefeld

💡 Weitere Tipps

Advice hours: Wednesday 3–5 pm or by appointment, tel. 0521 32 99 530
Short-term engagement also possible
Extended certificate of conduct is free for volunteers

Bielefeld Volunteer Agency↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 4⏱ 2–5 Min

Clarify insurance & liability

Volunteers in NRW are insured against accidents through the state's collective insurance. Club members are insured through the State Sports Association.

⚠️State insurance only applies if no other insurance is responsible!

⏰ No deadline💰 0 € (durch Land NRW abgedeckt)

💡 Weitere Tipps

Accident insurance: Covers all volunteer activities
Liability insurance: Protects against third-party claims
Sports clubs: Additional sports insurance via LSB NRW
For club board: Check D&O insurance

Collective insurance info↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 5⏱ 5–10 Min

Cancellation & club change

🚨

Frist: According to statutes (usually 3 months before year end) · Always cancel in writing with confirmation of receipt!

Cancellation must be in writing. Note the cancellation deadlines in the club statutes – usually 3 months before year end.

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

Written cancellation(Required)

Letter or email

💡 Weitere Tipps

Cancellation period is in the club statutes
Written form is usually required (letter or email)
Registered mail or personal handover with receipt
Revoke SEPA mandate separately if necessary

Cancellation templates↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 6⏱ 5–10 Min

Funding & NRW Volunteer Card

With at least 5 hours of volunteering per week (or 250 hours/year) you can apply for the NRW Volunteer Card. It offers over 4,700 discounts statewide. Bielefeld has taken part in the programme since August 2024.

⚠️The Volunteer Card is also available as an app – apply digitally and use immediately!

⏰ No deadline💰 0 €