Stiftung Umwelt und Entwicklung Nordrhein-Westfalen

The Stiftung Umwelt und Entwicklung Nordrhein-Westfalen is a non-profit foundation under civil law, established in 2001 by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It promotes civic engagement for sustainable development and the implementation of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each year, the foundation supports around 100 new projects from civil society and has so far funded approximately 1,900 initiatives with a total of around €94 million in grants. Its focus areas are environmental, climate, and nature conservation, education for sustainable development (ESD), global learning, intercultural learning, as well as sustainable consumption and fair trade. In addition to financial support, the foundation offers advice, networking opportunities, and practice-oriented training.

"Promoting commitment. Driving change." The foundation is dedicated to strengthening the broad participation of citizens in the transition to a sustainable society. It supports initiatives and projects that link environmental and development concerns and create impact beyond immediate funding.

Eligible for funding are primarily volunteer-engaged groups, associations, and initiatives in North Rhine-Westphalia that implement projects in the areas of environmental, climate, and nature conservation, development education, intercultural learning, or sustainable consumption. The target group ranges from local environmental education centers to intercultural exchange projects and networks for global learning. The foundation supports both individuals and organizations that aim to reach new target groups and achieve long-term impact.