Since 2022, the charity initiative “Wir für morgen” (“We for Tomorrow”) has recognized non-profit associations and organizations across Germany that are committed to social justice, equal opportunities, and greater environmental awareness. This year, a total of around €400,000 in prize money was distributed to support the winning projects. Out of 426 applications, 18 organizations made it to the longlist, each receiving €15,000 in prize money. The festive awards ceremony for the winning projects — whose efforts were recognized by the jury with up to €35,000 each — took place on October 27 at the Städel Museum in Frankfurt.
“Even though sustainability is currently not at the center of public debate, it remains of central importance to us in all its dimensions: ecological, social, and entrepreneurial,” said Sonja Albers, member of the Board of Managing Directors at Union Investment, in her opening speech. She spoke on behalf of CEO Hans Joachim Reinke, patron of the initiative. Under his leadership, a jury selected one flagship project and additional winners in each of the three categories: Social Affairs, Education, and Environment. The jury included former professional football player and foundation founder Neven Subotic (Social Affairs), Netzwerk Chancen founder Natalya Nepomnyashcha (Education), actor and documentary filmmaker Hannes Jaenicke (Environment), and a youth jury. “The award-winning projects impressively demonstrate how important and effective sustainable action is, especially in times like these,” Albers emphasized.
In the Social Affairs category, the jury selected the non-profit association Equal Rights Beyond Borders from Berlin as the flagship project. The Greek-German human rights organization receives €35,000 in funding. Founded in 2016 in response to the EU–Turkey Statement, the association advocates for the rights of refugees and promotes humane conditions at Europe’s external borders. “With their passionate and professional work, Equal Rights Beyond Borders powerfully shows how social engagement not only changes lives but also defends law and humanity in difficult times,” said Neven Subotic in his laudatory speech explaining the jury’s decision.
Robert Nestler, Executive Director of the German NGO, accepted the award:
“The ‘Wir für morgen’ award is an important recognition for all those who work tirelessly at Europe’s borders to uphold the human right to asylum. It strengthens our resolve to continue improving access to justice and protection for refugees in Europe.”
About “Wir für morgen”
With the “Wir für morgen” charity initiative, Union Investment awards a total of around €400,000 in prize money to non-profit projects in the fields of Social Affairs, Education, and Environment that blaze new trails and serve as inspiring examples. The 18 projects that make it to the longlist each receive €15,000. The nine winning or flagship projects selected for the shortlist by the jury receive up to €35,000 in funding.
The projects honored with the “Wir für morgen” award are chosen under the patronage of CEO Hans Joachim Reinke by a jury consisting of Netzwerk Chancen founder Natalya Nepomnyashcha (Education), actor and documentary filmmaker Hannes Jaenicke (Environment), former professional footballer and foundation founder Neven Subotic (Social Affairs), and a dynamic youth jury.
About Union Investment
The Union Investment Group is the asset management expert within Germany’s cooperative financial network, managing more than €511 billion in assets. With 4,402 employees, the company manages 1,304 funds for private and institutional investors. In total, 5.96 million customers entrust their money to Union Investment, making it one of Germany’s largest fund management companies.