Last year, Stiftung Mercator spent over 55 million euros on projects, according to the annual report published today. The non-profit foundation from the Ruhr region supports projects in the Centres for Digitized Society, Europe in the World, Climate Action as well as Participation and Social Cohesion in a diverse society.
Acknowledging multiple global crises, Stiftung Mercator has adopted a new motto: #StandingUpForDemocracy. “Attacks on our liberal constitutional order come from a wide variety of directions and endanger the fundament of our coexistence,” explains Dr. Wolfgang Rohe, Chairman of the Executive Board. “As a European foundation, we strongly advocate democratic values in Germany and the world, promote understanding between people from different cultures, and are committed to social cohesion.”
With the mentoring program Diversify, for example, Stiftung Mercator is committed to equal opportunities nationwide. The program facilitates access to politics for disadvantaged groups. The foundation also supports the consistent implementation of the Digital Services Act with an extensive framework program. One of its goals is to strengthen the rights of users vis-à-vis large online platforms. In 2023, another major program was launched with several trade unions to work out the synergies between climate protection, competitiveness, and the preservation of good jobs.
Due to global polycrisis, the Centre for Europe in the World revised its strategy last year. The key objective of the new approach is to contribute to making the international reorganization more inclusive and to involve the global South more consistently.
Another important field of action is the world’s second-largest economy: China. In this context, the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2023, makes an internationally recognized contribution.
Last year, Stiftung Mercator supported 79 new projects. Since its inception, it has funded 2052 projects with almost 962 million euros. The funding benefits project partners such as scientific institutions, civil society actors or think tanks and is usually spread over several years.
PRESS CONTACT
Lothar Kuhn | Director Communications
T +49 201 245 22 36 | lothar.kuhn@stiftung-mercator.de
ABOUT STIFTUNG MERCATOR
Stiftung Mercator is a private, independent, and non-profit foundation that acts on the basis of scientific expertise and practical project experience. Since 1996, it has been advocating for a society based on solidarity and participation. To this end, it supports and develops projects that improve participation and cohesion in an increasingly diverse community. Stiftung Mercator stands up for a cosmopolitan, democratic Europe, a digital transformation of state and society based on fundamental rights, and socially just climate change mitigation. Stiftung Mercator pursues activities in Germany, Europe, and worldwide. It feels particularly connected to the Ruhr area, home of its founder’s family and the foundation’s headquarters.