With two recent reports on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Polish football leagues now published (on Ekstraklasa and 1 Liga), it is worth reflecting on the impact of this eight-year project. What began in 2017 as a singular study of professional clubs’ CSR efforts has since evolved into an annual analysis of the CSR activities of top-tier football leagues (now in its seventh edition) and a broader examination covering most professional sports clubs in Poland. Crucially, we have maintained a consistent methodology, allowing for comparative analysis, the identification of trends, and the highlighting of best practices.
The Evolving Landscape of CSR in Polish Sports
The recognition of CSR in Polish sports today is markedly different from what it was in 2017. Back then, CSR was largely an uncharted territory for most clubs. In contrast, within the past three months alone, two separate events specifically addressing societal responsibility and ESG in sports have been held in Poland.
This growing emphasis on social responsibility is largely driven by international pressure. One notable example is UEFA’s strategy and guidelines, which led the Polish Football Association to adopt its own sustainability strategy. Consequently, Polish professional football clubs are now required to develop Football Social Responsibility (FSR) strategies, covering a range of areas. These strategies are assessed as part of the licensing process. While the immediate impact of this regulation remains limited, it signals a fundamental shift in expectations surrounding responsibility in the sector.
Promoting Social Responsibility in Polish Sports
The primary objective of our project is to promote CSR in Polish sports, and its impact should be measured through this lens.
The project’s longevity underscores its influence: with thirteen reports published, including seven consistent analyses of Polish Ekstraklasa clubs’ CSR activities, our findings have become a key reference for stakeholders and clubs. Our CSR analysis is now nationally recognized as a leading source of knowledge and inspiration, frequently cited by clubs’ representatives and major media outlets. To extend our reach in 2024 we have also published the first reports in English to engage an international audience interested in Polish sports.
Over the years, our findings have been featured in national media, including television, radio, and newspapers, with more than 100 external media outlets referencing our results. Nine academic research papers have cited our work. Since 2018, I have presented our findings on the main stages of Polish sports sector conferences. More recently, thanks to fresh talent in our team, we have expanded our communications strategy, engaging partners involved in CSR/ESG advocacy and major sports sponsors.
Importantly, our project has garnered support from within the sports sector itself. The Polish First League (1 Liga) has continually assisted in data collection, and meetings have been held with league representatives to discuss our findings. Sports clubs, in turn, have utilized and promoted our results through their own channels.
For clubs seeking to enhance their CSR efforts, our findings serve as an external evaluation of their current standing. Some clubs have even used our reports as a framework for defining and articulating their CSR strategies. More broadly, our research helps clubs identify areas for improvement and adopt a more strategic and holistic approach to responsibility.
Recognizing and Supporting CSR Leaders
Our reports highlight clubs that can be considered CSR leaders—both in terms of the breadth of their initiatives and the depth of their integration with club strategies. Leadership in this area is dynamic; new frontrunners emerge while previous leaders sometimes lose ground. For example, Widzew Łódź and Miedź Legnica, recent standout performers, were not among the leading clubs in the early editions of our study.
Recognizing these leaders is vital for the entire league, as our findings serve as a benchmark for other clubs seeking inspiration. Polish clubs primarily look to their domestic peers for best practices, and our reports help them identify trailblazers.
Each report also showcases exemplary CSR initiatives across various leagues. These good practices not only inspire other clubs but also serve as internal promotional tools. Given the limited internal support for CSR in most professional clubs, external recognition of a club’s CSR efforts or foundation has proven to be a valuable endorsement. As external pressure to enhance CSR grows, these documented best practices provide a practical reference for clubs looking to implement meaningful and achievable strategies.
An Alternative Perspective on CSR in Polish Sports
As regulatory requirements and stakeholder interest in sustainability grow, our analysis provides a critical alternative to the prevailing narratives presented by national sports associations, leagues, and clubs. Unlike official reports, which often emphasize success stories, our research takes a more comprehensive and critical approach, offering an independent assessment of CSR and governance in Polish professional sports.
This makes our reports unique, even beyond the sports sector. Few, if any, independent studies in other industries systematically assess CSR while also highlighting challenges and gaps, rather than focusing solely on best practices. As a result, our reports have become a crucial reference point for responsibility within the Polish sports industry.
Educating Future CSR Leaders
Since the project’s inception, student volunteers have played a key role in data collection. Throughout the project over 50 students from seven academic societies specializing in sports management, marketing, and law were researching the clubs. These students gain hands-on experience in CSR analysis, conduct research on current club practices, and engage directly with club representatives. Some of our past student participants have already taken on influential roles within the Polish sports sector, representing sports associations and major sponsors.
What Lies Ahead?
The project continues to evolve. We have recently introduced new indicators related to environmental sustainability and, in upcoming editions, plan to increase our focus on financial sustainability—an area that has, until now, been largely overlooked. However, our core methodology will remain unchanged, as consistency is key to maximizing long-term impact. It often takes years before an idea gains recognition and is widely adopted.
We also aim to expand our direct impact on clubs’ CSR efforts. This will involve sharing knowledge, training club officials responsible for CSR, and advocating for greater accountability at the board level. Additionally, we will seek to leverage existing regulations—such as those promoting transparency in league licensing processes—to exert further external pressure on clubs to enhance their CSR strategies.
The journey continues, and with it, the responsibility to shape a more sustainable and socially engaged Polish sports sector.
The Analysis of Social Responsibility of Professional Sports Clubs is a project conducted by the Institute for Sport Governance and Sportimpakt.