About the Foundation
The Erich Wesjohann Foundation is dedicated to strengthening the promotion of development cooperation as well as an international outlook, tolerance in all areas of culture, and the idea of mutual understanding among peoples.
The work focuses on supporting structural development in disadvantaged regions—especially in developing countries. The foundation supports projects that contribute in the long term to improving food, health, and education. This includes measures with social, health, and school and vocational education components, as well as initiatives that enable economic self-reliance and social participation.
A central principle of the foundation is “help for self-help.” The funding strategy concentrates on building viable regional structures that enable people on the ground to improve their living conditions permanently through their own efforts. Pure subsidization is not the main focus—instead, sustainable solutions are supported that strengthen local self-sufficiency and personal responsibility.
In addition to structural development projects, the foundation also supports programs for international understanding, for example international youth encounters. These foster mutual understanding and provide insight into the challenges and opportunities of regional development.
Development cooperation in Africa and South America
The funding activities focus on regions with a particular need for support and always pursue the goal of enabling long-term impact and local independence.
Mission statement
We promote sustainable development by building viable local structures. Our actions follow the principle of help for self-help: people should be empowered to improve their living conditions permanently through their own efforts.
We support projects that strengthen food, health, education, and economic self-reliance, thereby creating long-term prospects. In doing so, we work in partnership with local stakeholders and consciously focus on sustainable solutions rather than short-term support.
At the same time, we promote international encounters and cultural exchange in order to strengthen understanding, tolerance, and responsibility in global coexistence.
Our goal is impact — not short-term help, but lasting development.
Transparency & Governance
Responsible foundation work requires trust. That is why the Erich Wesjohann Foundation is guided by clear governance structures, comprehensible decision-making processes, and careful handling of the funds entrusted to it.
Clear decision-making structures
Funding decisions are made according to defined criteria. The management and the board of trustees review projects with regard to their objectives, sustainability, local integration, and expected impact. The guiding principle is to support only those initiatives that enable long-term structural improvements.
Impact monitoring and traceability
Supported projects are not only approved, but also accompanied throughout their development. Reports, key figures, and evaluations are used to make results comprehensible and to incorporate lessons learned into future funding decisions. The goal is continuous improvement of funding practice.
Careful use of funds
The foundation uses its funds exclusively in accordance with its articles of association and for charitable purposes. Project budgets are reviewed before approval and accompanied during implementation. Partners report regularly on progress, achievement of objectives, and use of the funds. This ensures that funding is used efficiently and for its intended purpose.
Responsibility and integrity
The foundation acts independently, politically neutral, and exclusively within the scope of its charitable mandate. Integrity, partnership, and respect for local structures form the basis of every collaboration. Through transparent processes and responsible governance, the foundation ensures that funding has an impact where it enables sustainable development.