Getting started.
Financial support for about 3,600 families in sub-Saharan Africa.
As soon as governments impose restrictions to stem the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, population groups that already live in extreme poverty often are no longer able to earn a living. Rapid and uncomplicated money-transfers by cell phone are particularly helpful for families affected by the crisis, and can be crucial for their survival.
Prevention of about 4,500 rapes in high-risk areas worldwide.
A demonstrably effective prevention-training program sensitizes girls to potentially dangerous situations and teaches them how to defend themselves verbally and physically in case of a sexual assault. Boys are also trained: they not only learn how to behave properly themselves, but also how to help girls who are at risk.
Gain of the equivalent of 3,100 years of life without severe depression.
Mentally ill women in rural areas of Uganda and Zambia generally have no access to medical or psychotherapeutic help and often face social isolation. We helped fund a highly effective group psychotherapy program, with the result that many hundreds of girls and women will no longer suffer from severe depression for years.
Activation of about 50,000 voters.
The US electoral system prevents many people from voting. We guided capital to a demonstrably effective organization that targets disadvantaged voter groups and helps them to exercise their right to vote. In 2020, we financed approximately 500,000 new registrations, enabling an additional 50,000 votes to be cast.
Prevention of untold numbers of false messages.
We provided funding to a leading organization in its field in the UK and US that provides information on how and why false messages are spread around the world, and how they are disseminated via social media. In particular, newsrooms – but increasingly also particularly susceptible population groups – are trained to identify misinformation and disinformation and to counter it effectively.
Creation of an international CO2 compensation platform.
We supported the establishment of a multi-state platform on which almost all nations with rainforest resources have joined forces. The platform will will enable the trading of CO2 certificates based on nationally guaranteed protection of rainforests. (The implementation and effectiveness of this type of program has been externally verified.)
Key financing for policies informing the US climate agenda.
We financed a team within a non-partisan think tank that played a major role in shaping the legal basis for ambitious climate protection in the USA. In total, more than 600 pages of legal text were created, presented to Congress as the CLEAN Future Act in January 2020. This policy document has continued to develop and crucial segments were incorporated in 2020-2021 into the Climate Agenda of the newly elected President Biden.
Significant support of Methane Strategy Europe.
We provided financing for the methane working-group of a non-partisan think tank whose aim is to sensitize the European Commission to the issue of methane emissions in the oil and gas industry. If EU imports are taken into account, this sector produces as much greenhouse gas as the entire EU building sector. Drawing on some of their recommendations the Commission has presented its methane strategy in 2021 – and in some cases tightened it up considerably.
Backing for Fridays for Future programs.
We supported a program within Fridays for Future that was developed to increase the effectiveness of the movement in terms of strategy, organization and communication before the important federal elections in 2021. In order to reach as many activists as possible, a "train-the-trainer" structure was established and will be constantly evaluated going forward. In the medium term, the program is to be extended to other countries in Europe.
Provision of funds to maintain Climate Plan Germany.
Analogous to our successful approach in the US (see Climate Crisis USA, above), we promoted the creation of a comprehensive legal framework through which Germany can achieve the necessary climate targets. By the 2021 federal elections, a promising and practicable set of regulations should be in place, on the basis of which coalition negotiations can make binding climate protection decisions.