Press releases

To mark its 30th anniversary, non-profit Stiftung Mercator is providing €100,000 to Förderpott.Ruhr, a funding programme run by the Stiftungsnetzwerk Ruhr, as part of its anniversary celebration. Until 30 September 2026, 12:00 noon, individuals, non-profit organisations, initiatives and associations can apply for funding of projects that aim to improve community life in local communities across the Ruhr region. [...]

Last year, the Ruhr-based charitable organisation supported a further 80 projects with funding totalling approximately €61.3 million. At the same time, it further developed the strategies of its four centres: Digital Society, Europe in the World, Climate-Resilient Society, and Participation and Cohesion. These developments are outlined in the 2025 Annual Report, published today. [...]

Dr Magdalena Kirchner, Director of the Europe in the World Centre at Stiftung Mercator, has decided to pursue a new professional direction for personal reasons. Dr Christian Straube, previously a project manager in the centre, has taken over her responsibilities on an interim basis. 

To mark the anniversary of Germany’s Basic Law on 23 May, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has launched a new initiative called “Ehrentag”. Stiftung Mercator is one of the partners supporting the initiative, which aims to recognise and honour voluntary civic engagement – as democracy depends on people who contribute to the common good, take responsibility, and foster social cohesion.  At a time of rapid political and economic change, initiatives, associations, neighbourh [...]

In 2016, Stiftung Mercator’s liaison office in Turkey began its work. Since then, it has enabled exchange and dialogue between stakeholders from politics, academia and civil society – especially among young people – as well as supporting research projects and cultural initiatives. To date, the foundation has funded more than 100 projects with a total budget of over €50 million.  One example of the office’s work under the leadership of Dr. Jannes Tessmann is the Istanbul Policy  [...]

In 73 per cent of companies, responsibility for sustainability transformation remains anchored at board or executive management level. Companies’ self-defined climate targets are largely maintained. However, the issue is noticeably losing priority and momentum. This is the finding of the fourth Sustainability Transformation Monitor (STM), published by Bertelsmann Stiftung, Stiftung Mercator, the University of Hamburg and the Peer School for Sustainable Development.  The STM surveyed 822 c [...]

Stiftung Mercator has established Finance for Transition – Centre for Resilient Economy and Finance, a Berlin-based think tank designed to show how private capital can be strategically mobilized for the modernization and decarbonization of the economy. The centre will be led by Silke Stremlau, one of the most prominent voices in Germany’s sustainable finance market. [...]

Balancing continuity and change, the charitable Stiftung Mercator has updated the strategy that will guide its work over the next five years. At the same time, Lars Grotewold assumed his new role as Chairman of the Executive Board at the beginning of the year, succeeding Wolfgang Rohe, who is stepping down due to his retirement. Stiftung Mercator will continue to focus its work on digitalisation, Europe’s role in the world, climate, and participation and social cohesion. [...]