Table of Contents
Chapter 02
2024 Highlights: Working Together to Change the Present
United for Democracy Fund
“From Words to Actions” was the motto the Allianz Foundation and ProjectTogether adopted for their joint launch of the United for Democracy Fund ("Vereint für Demokratie Fonds") in the spring of 2024 against the backdrop of the biggest demonstrations in support of the rule of law and social cohesion in Germany’s history. The aim of the Fund is to support charitable institutions and initiatives – quickly and without a great deal of red tape – that are particularly effective in their work for democracy and against extremism, be it at the national level or online.
Business, civil society and philanthropic individuals and organizations joined forces to set up the Fund. United for Democracy is a collaboration between the Business Council for Democracy (BC4D), Scholz&Friends, Charta der Vielfalt e. V. and other civil society initiatives that pools donations from companies, foundations and other organizations.
Following its launch in spring 2024, funding was allocated to 31 regional and national organizations during the first funding round in May. The Foundation received donations and grants from companies and charitable organizations totaling 0.955 million euros.
0
Supported organizations
0€
financial resources awarded in the first round of the fund
The focus was on funding projects in Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg, the three federal states in eastern Germany that held federal government elections in the summer and autumn of 2024. Funding went to organizations that were able to implement short-term activities and boost their existing, long-term work, including Kulturbüro Sachsen e.V., Aktionsbündnis Brandenburg and Initiative Weltoffenes Thüringen.
Civil society organizations’ need for low-threshold and trust-based support did not, however, stop once the first funding round had ended, which is why the Fund started its second round in autumn 2024, in the course of which another 40 organizations received funding.
For an overview of all the initiatives that received funding, go to the alliance’s website.
“The United for Democracy Fund has enabled projects that strengthen democratic discourse and promote political participation. I was particularly impressed by the consistent focus on sustainable impact and the diverse impetus that enriches social cohesion. ”Thomas Krüger, President of the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, jury member of the United for Democracy Fund
Supporters of the United for Democracy Fund © Allianz Foundation
Workshop as part of the United for Democracy Fund © Allianz Foundation
Workshop as part of the United for Democracy Fund © Allianz Foundation
Workshop with beneficiaries of the United for Democracy Fund © Allianz Foundation
Movers of Tomorrow Award
The Message of the Movers of Tomorrow Award: Tomorrow starts today!
In 2024, the Allianz Foundation and its partners endowed a prize for young people’s engagement. The Movers of Tomorrow Award honors those young people who work for equal opportunities, open societies and a living planet. The award ceremony was held on 15 November 15 at the Allianz Forum in Berlin, at which prizes were given to 54 committed individuals aged between 16 and 24. The award sends a powerful signal by showcasing the young generation’s courage to act and sense of social responsibility.
The impetus for the Movers of Tomorrow Award arose from two questions: “What moves young people?” and “How can we support those who are committed to a fairer future?” It took as its starting point the “The Movers of Tomorrow?” study conducted by the Allianz Foundation in 2023, which showed that one in every seven young people is already involved in some form of civic action – and half of all those interviewed would like to do more.
The 54 prize winners were nominated as part of a nationwide procedure, either by initiatives and other committed individuals, family members or friends, and introduced themselves in a short video. Those projects that received the most votes in a subsequent online voting process were named as the finalists. In the run-up to the award ceremony an independent jury selected an additional 10 Movers of Tomorrow who were also honored for their outstanding commitment.
0
young award winners from all over Germany
0
jury award winners
0
votes in the online voting
0 €
for the award winners
0 €
resources allocated to the Movers of Tomorrow Award
The Movers of Tomorrow Award also facilitates networking among young people. The sense of community bore fruit at the Movers Workshop held following the award ceremony and beyond that in the context of an alumni network.
For more information about the award, go to here.
“The award gave me the opportunity to redefine my boundaries, see new perspectives and make valuable contacts by meeting new people who share my values. ”Keisha Boakye, 2024 award winner
The finalists of the Movers of Tomorrow Award 2024 in Berlin © Leander von Thien
Panel discussion with young committed people at the Movers of Tomorrow Awards ceremony © Leander von Thien
Workshop with the finalists of the Movers of Tomorrow Award © Leander von Thien
Workshop with the finalists of the Movers of Tomorrow Award © Leander von Thien
Other 2024 Highlights: Building Bridges and Promoting Engagement
"Fixing what's broken. Together!" Funding program
The title of our regular funding call in 2024 was “Fixing What’s Broken. Together!” It specifically targeted projects that address social divisions and ecological crises. Actors from European civil society, the arts and culture and the climate and environment sectors received a total of more than 1.5 million euros in funding for work that stands for solidarity, community spirit and respect. While authoritarianism, discrimination, ideological camps, the polarization of the media and exploitation of our planet’s resources are increasing at an alarming rate, the 11 funded projects give us reason to hope. They show how it is possible to establish resilient networks that can withstand the growing pressure and to work at forging new alliances based on trust. To find out more about the projects, follow this link.
Culture of Solidarity Fund – Strengthening A Culture of Solidarity
The Culture of Solidarity Fund – established in 2020 by the European Cultural Foundation and backed by the Allianz Foundation – is a flexible, rapid funding mechanism that addresses pan-European issues. It is an amalgamation of more than 20 partner organizations that pool their funding and forces. The Fund uses its initiatives to respond to the growing tensions within Europe and to counter them with solidarity. The 11th edition of the Culture of Solidarity Fund in 2024 promoted transnational initiatives that mobilized voters to take part in the European elections.
In light of the rise in extremism and populism, the Fund is taking a stance for democratic participation, for a united Europe and for a culture of open debate. For more information, go here.
“The Culture of Solidarity Fund collaboration was part of our response to the growing frustration of many Europeans in the run-up to the EU parliamentary elections - through targeted funding for initiatives whose projects create hope, encourage participation and strengthen a pro-European attitude.”Philipp Dietachmair, Program Manager of the European Cultural Foundation
EYE Berlin
One of the regional editions of EYE (European Youth Event) took place from April 18 to 20, 2024. It was organized by the European Youth Parliament (EYP) in cooperation with the European Parliament and partner organizations such as the Allianz Foundation. More than 1,200 young people from across Europe traveled to Berlin, and another 500 took part remotely. The goal was to discover Europe together, share experiences, learn from one another and support each other. In the run-up to the 2024 European elections the event gave participants a space in which to get to know political decision-makers, civil society organizations and each other. The EYE Berlin program included workshops, debates and trainings in various formats.
Chapter 06
The Allianz Foundation Team: Working For The Network
The members of our team have a wide range of professional qualifications, language skills and intercultural experience as well as a variety of different backgrounds and perspectives. At the end of 2024 the Foundation employed a total of 19 members of staff. Our program and project managers regard themselves as the partners of those who take risks to already make the world of tomorrow a just one today. They have close links with the arts and culture, European civil society and the environmental and climate sector, and they bring their perspectives to bear to achieve a greater impact. We have aligned our strategic areas (“For empowered people,” “For open societies,” “For a living planet”) accordingly to ensure these links bear fruit. All our departments are actively involved in work at the points at which these areas intersect. In addition, team members are part of the Executive Board and the Communications and Administration & Finance departments. Find out more about our team here.
Our Team: The Numbers
0
Employees
0
Full-time equivalents/FTEs
Administrative Spending
The Foundation’s administrative expenditure on materials and personnel totaled 2 million euros. These expenses are not directly assigned to any funding or operative projects.
19.6% Administrative expense ratio
We also incorporate external experts and local expertise into our work, for example via our Allianz Foundation Hubs in various countries. Renowned experts from civil society, the arts and culture, academia and the media support our studies by sitting on our Research Advisory Board and being members of our juries. We cooperate closely with them to select and support the most suitable projects and partner organizations.
Top