Umweltstiftung der ostwestfälischen Wirtschaft

The Environmental Foundation of the East Westphalian Economy is a non-profit foundation established in 1995, whose affairs are managed by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) East Westphalia in Bielefeld. It was founded following the awarding of the German Environmental Prize to five environmental initiatives. Since its inception, it has supported projects and initiatives in East Westphalia dedicated to nature and environmental protection. The foundation's board decides on a broad range of funding, which includes environmental education programs for children and youth, studies on legal regulations in environmental protection, renaturation measures, and school competitions. Additionally, the foundation regularly awards an East Westphalian Sustainability Prize.

The Environmental Foundation of the East Westphalian Economy is committed to supporting environmental and nature conservation projects in the East Westphalia region, thereby promoting sustainable developments in the economy and society in the long term. It creates incentives for education, research, and practice, strengthens awareness of ecological interrelationships, and contributes to improving the ecological quality of its home region through targeted project funding.

The funding opportunities of the Environmental Foundation of the East Westphalian Economy are aimed at a wide range of actors in East Westphalia: companies, scientific institutions, educational providers, secondary and primary schools, municipalities, associations, as well as initiatives and individuals who wish to implement or develop projects in the field of environmental and nature conservation. Particular emphasis is placed on projects that have a connection to the regional economy and are realized in East Westphalia.