Annual Report 2023

“Perpetual crisis” might be the most apt description of the conditions under which we are currently working. The climate crisis, the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and the rise of authoritarian populist forces around the world present constant challenges. 

The brutal attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7 and the war in Gaza are having dramatic consequences on the ground as well as globally, including in our offices, for our partners, and on our work as a German political foundation that operates both domestically and internationally. One example of how the wider context impacts our work was the decision not to attend the Hannah Arendt Prize award ceremony, as the awardee, Masha Gessen, had equated Gaza with Jewish ghettos in occupied Europe on The New Yorker website on December 9, 2023. Our decision sparked controversy, ranging from accusations of cancel culture towards Jewish intellectuals who criticize Israel, to calls to revoke Masha Gessen’s award. We took these varied reactions as an opportunity to invite Masha Gessen to a public discussion at the Foundation. 

It was one of many controversial and sometimes emotional conversations we have had on this issue over the past few months, both publicly and internally. How do we honor a variety of perspectives while staying recognizable as a Green political foundation with a clear profile and compass? As an independent political foundation, we are free from the constraints of bipartisan politics and party loyalty, yet, at the same time, we are an integral part of the Green movement, and we work in partnership with others to advance the Green project. 

Each day, we feel how the backlash is getting fiercer. Many employees at our International Offices have been working under difficult conditions for a long time. They are subjected to repression and attacks. They have to justify what they do. The situation is exacerbated by an erosion of democratic structures and an ever more polarized public. The colleagues in our German regional offices also have to deal with an increasingly intimidating environment, and it has become difficult to host certain events unimpeded. 

The results of the European elections have clearly shown that democracy, and thus also the Green political project, are under pressure. Many do not believe that a socio-ecological transformation will change our world for the better, or that such a change must be achieved by democratic means alone. In such times, a key factor for our success and reach will be to look to the future rather than act defensively and to communicate success stories great and small. 

One of many such stories is our new podcast Pod of Good Hope, which offers useful ideas on how to address the climate crisis. Internationally, we support the work of human rights defenders, investigative journalists, and climate and environmental organizations in an effort to document injustices and promote change. Our wide range of programs and activities would not be and never was possible without all those who infuse our daily work with their ideas, political intuition, and passion. We know that for many of our employees, our Foundation is more than just a workplace. They love being part of a project that tackles the big issues of our time with courage and from a variety of perspectives. 

We are also grateful for the supportive and honest feedback from our Supervisory Board, our General Assembly, our Expert Committees, and many other parts of our organization. They help us set the course in turbulent times. Finally, we would like to announce that the Executive Board has launched a new format to get our message out - our monthly editorial böll.kolumne (written in turns) . 

We look forward to your feedback!