Taking responsibility
Sustainability for us means both protecting the climate and supporting social cohesion, so the Possehl Foundation is committed to the sustainability goals set by the German federal government and the United Nations.
Climate & society
Here in Lübeck we have long felt the effects of the climate crisis; with heatwaves, torrential rain and droughts. At the same time it is true that advancing social justice makes our city more resilient. The two belong together. So we like to support projects that have an environmental and a social impact – which can be measures to save energy and conserve resources, educational activities, fairer access to community resources or good ideas for how we can live together better.
Guidance is provided by the federal government’s German Sustainability Strategy and the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). They connect environmental, social and developmental issues and can also be put into practice in Lübeck. To do so we coordinate our activities with the city of Lübeck, our subsidiaries and other regional and nationwide networks.
A smaller footprint
A project’s footprint shows the emissions and the consumption of resources associated with it. The aim is to avoid and reduce greenhouse gases (CO2e) and to make careful use of resources – with the long-term aim of achieving net-zero emissions. This can include, for example:
- renewable energy, LED lighting and insulation
- climate-friendly mobility (e.g. public transport, bike, electric vehicles)
- sustainable purchasing (e.g. recycled paper, fair and regional products)
- avoiding waste and recycling
A bigger handprint
The handprint stands for the positive impact that a project can have on others. The question is, how can we motivate people to act more sustainably themselves? For example, by means of:
- education about protecting the environment and the climate
- events to encourage participation
- people who practice sustainability on a daily basis, in clubs, schools and institutions, for instance
- networks that act as multipliers for knowledge and engagement
What we sponsor
The Possehl Foundation’s articles do not allow it to fund projects that focus exclusively on environmental or climate objectives. However, we can sponsor corresponding activities when environmental sustainability is part of an eligible project – in the fields of youth work, education, culture, social welfare, sport or science.
We would like applicants for funding to pay more attention to environmental and social considerations – in everyday life, at events, in infrastructure and in their external impact.
Questions to guide you when making a funding application
-
What are the environmental impacts of your project and how can they be reduced?
-
How does your project contribute to greater participation, education or social engagement?
-
How can you encourage other people to act more sustainably?
Other sources of funding
For many environmental and social activities there are also funding programmes available from the EU, federal, regional and local authorities or other charitable foundations. It is worth looking into these options, especially for larger projects.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
We look forward to hearing about any ideas and projects that make Lübeck fit for the future.
Contact
Public relations
Advising applicants on social projects