Inspiration
What we are passionate for
“There are so many ideas and many scientific studies on how agriculture or the production of material can be reconciled with the protection of biodiversity and the environment… What is it that matters now? To implement and disseminate these ideas!”
Dr. Laura Breitsameter, founder and managing director
Our Topics
The work of Stiftung WissenWecken focuses on three areas:
Forest gardens and agroforestry
In agroforestry, agriculture (e.g. arable farming) is combined with woody plants such as fruit trees. In the temperate climate zones as well as in the Global South, agroforestry creates ecosystems that for multiple uses: In addition to fruits and arable crops, they provide, e.g., wood or animal feed. And they bring about numerous further benefits: Their soils have a higher water retention capacity, and they can bind more carbon. Due to their high biodiversity, agroforestry systems also require less fertilizer inputs, and they are more resistant to pests and weather extremes.
Implementation
Stiftung WissenWecken supports the establishment and development of agroforestry systems worldwide. In this way, we particularly aim to enable smallholder farmers to make their farms more resilient to climate change and thus secure their livelihoods.
We are currently supporting agroforestry projects in Madagascar and Germany.
Educational gardens and environmental education
Educational gardens are places of learning for nature and agriculture. They enable children and adults to get to know how a farm works in a practical setting and a way to illustrate how it interacts with the environment. Where does our food come from? How is harvested and processed? How can we save water and keep the soil healthy in the long term? Schools use educational gardens as green classrooms for literally “tangible” learning experiences. For farmers, education gardens offer working examples sustainable forms of cultivation.
Implementation
Via the establishment and further development of educational gardens, Stiftung WissenWecken promotes environmental and nutritional education for people of all ages. In addition, the training centres help smallholder farmers to better secure their livelihoods.
We are currently supporting educational gardens in Brazil, Madagascar and Germany.
Just Transition
The aim of all our projects is to contribute to the development of a just social and economic order, particularly against the backdrop of climate change. Ecological and social challenges are given equal consideration. With many of our projects, we wish to particularly support women in developing and realising their opportunities for education, business start-ups and innovation. An important element of this is health education for women and providing them with basic hygiene products – to which millions of women worldwide currently do not have sufficient access (source: UN Women).
Implementation
Stiftung WissenWecken is connected with organisations in Europe and Africa that are dedicated to education and health care for girls and women. We support the training of women in sustainable agriculture help to enable them and their families to lead economically stable and independent lives.
Mission and Work
Stiftung WissenWecken realises its goals in three main areas of activity:
Operative Projects – Outreach and Education
We develop our projects together with local partners worldwide. By interconnecting science, education and practice, we are creating and disseminating a dialogue-based and holistic approach to land use.
Project and Individual Grants
We provide start-up support for projects so that new ideas can grow and gain visibility. For students with a great societal commitment , we are sponsoring the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship.
Professional Advice and Mentoring
1 + 1 is more than 2! We pass on our experience to initiatives and individuals who are committed to promoteíng sustainable land use. In this way, we help good ideas grow and gain visibility and impact.
Example Projects
Support Us!
Contribute to our mission and support our work with your donation.
GLS Bank
IBAN: DE04 4306 0967 1105 9930 00
BIC: GENODEM1GLS
