Little is known as yet about the work German foundations carry out in the field of development cooperation. The newly published Foundation Report by the Association of German Foundations offers numerous facts and figures, good practice examples, and opinions concerning the engagement of German foundations abroad.  

The report shows that 1,766 German foundations of all legal forms have a connection to development cooperation or global learning. The Association of German Foundations is aware of a further 458 trustee foundations that deal with development cooperation.

Seventy per cent of foundations in cooperation development have a connection to the African continent, 60 per cent are active in Asia, while 57 per cent are engaged in Southern and Middle America. 

Foundations are becoming more important actors in international development, reveals the report. They serve as initiators, networkers, financial pillars, project carriers and mediums for innovation.

Often they can provide help in regions and areas that are inaccessible to others, without any red tape. They are in direct contact with the local population and sometimes have an excellent reputation and high credibility thanks to their many years of local work. 

The report discusses the challenges tackled and what other foundations can learn from this. Altogether more than 80 German foundations and their projects or methodological approaches are mentioned. 

The free publication is available as a 134-page book in German and as a digital summary edition in English.  

For more information:
http://www.stiftungen.org/foundation-report-summary