The new RWE Foundation has set itself the goal of creating more equal opportunities for children and young people. This spring, RWE established a new foundation to mark the company's 125th anniversary. It was endowed with a starting capital of 125 million euros and uses the income from the foundation's capital to support charitable projects for socially disadvantaged children and young people throughout Europe. Shortly before the end of the year, the RWE Foundation presents two of the seven projects approved by the Advisory Board.

Gabriele Tennagels, Managing Director of the RWE Foundation: “RWE is taking responsibility - not only for driving forward the energy transition, but also for better social cohesion with the new RWE Foundation. Our foundation for the benefit of children and young people aims to promote equal opportunities and social participation. With #netzTalente throughout Europe and lernHaus in Essen, we are delighted to be able to support two great initiatives that are doing valuable work in this area.”

Europe-wide funding project #netzTalente of the TalentMetropoleRuhr Foundation will receive more than 670,000 euros over three years

The project, an initiative of TalentMetropole Ruhr, teaches young people digital and social skills. Pupils strengthen their ability to deal with digital phenomena such as hate speech, fake news and cyberbullying in a reflective manner and to stand up for democratic coexistence. They apply the knowledge they have acquired in class, expand their social skills and develop a responsible approach to the internet and social media. Teachers receive training in digital tools to support the project. Digital exchange formats for pupils and teachers are also being developed with partner cities for example in France, Spain, and the Czech Republic. In the third year, all of the experiences and results will culminate in an education festival in the Ruhr region. More information on the initiative can be found here.

Educational project lernHAUS in Essen receives 150,000 euros 

All children and young people have the right to equal opportunities, a good education and training, regardless of where they come from, how much money or what profession their parents have or what language they speak. This is what the Kinderschutzbund has been working towards for over 20 years with its lernHÄUSERN centres.

Children and young people are supported early and long-term during their school careers and are encouraged to participate in social, societal, cultural, and political life. More than 200 schoolchildren in Essen regularly attend the four lernHÄUSER centres and make use of the support services for their personal educational path. In addition to homework supervision and individual learning support, the programmes also include joint leisure activities. Children and young people are encouraged to discover their potential in the lernHÄUSER centres and receive holistic support. In each lernHAUS, a team of specialists work together with around 40 volunteers and are committed to the successful educational biographies of children and young people. More information can be found here.

Pictures of the donation handover in Essen (Credit: RWE):

The photos show from left to right:

• #netzTalente: Kornelia Neumann (Project Manager RWE Foundation), Dr Britta L Schröder (Managing Director Stiftung TalentMetropole Ruhr) and Erich Thiedemann (Managing Director RWE Foundation)
• lernHÄUSER centres: Prof Dr Ulrich Spie (Chairman of the Board Deutscher Kinderschutzbund/Ortsverband Essen e.V.), Gabriele Tennagels (Managing Director RWE Foundation), Corinna Erdmann und Martin Hollinger (both Managing Directors lernHÄUSER centres) and Kornelia Neumann (Project Manager RWE Foundation)