filia.die frauenstiftung

filia.die frauenstiftung is a non-profit foundation based in Hamburg, Germany, dedicated to improving the living conditions of women and girls, expanding their scope for action, gaining decision-making power, and enforcing their rights. It was founded in 2001 in Wiesbaden by nine women with an initial endowment of 250,000 euros. By 2017, the foundation's capital had grown to 16 million euros. Following the financial crisis, filia restructured its fundraising in 2011, shifting from a capital-based model to a donation-oriented one. It ranks among the 6.2% of German civil-law foundations with more than 10 million euros in foundation capital. It is Germany's only foundation that funds women's projects worldwide and, by a wide margin, the largest foundation in Germany led by women and specifically funding women's projects. The foundation's funding goals are that women and girls can live free from violence and gain access to decision-making power and fair resource distribution. Its focus areas are therefore "freedom from violence" and "participation." As of 2017, filia had funded 340 self-determined activities and projects by women and girls in 40 countries around the world. Approximately 80% of funds go to projects worldwide, and 20% of funding goes to girls' projects in Germany. Since 2012, filia has supported the UN General Assembly resolution on the International Day of the Girl through its Girls' Empowerment Program (MädchenEmpowermentProgramm, MPM), emphasizing that girls' participation in decisions affecting them is key to breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence and to promoting and protecting the full and effective enjoyment of their human rights. This is implemented by funding exclusively projects by and for girls and young women in Germany, by having a Girls' Advisory Council of young women aged 14 to 24 co-decide which projects are funded, and by having the girls' council members represent themselves and their perspectives in public. filia's work includes education and upbringing, politics, and women's and girls' projects worldwide, with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe; projects on political participation, sexual self-determination, anti-violence, combating trafficking in women, strengthening girls as leaders; and support for networks and the umbrella association of international women's foundations. All women and girls on the foundation's bodies work on a voluntary basis. The foundation holds an annual assembly where donors, women from the bodies, and the filia team meet to discuss successes, challenges, and future plans. The foundation council (Stiftungsrat) consists of seven women elected every three years by active donors; they determine policy and strategy and decide on funding allocations. The board (Vorstand) consists of three women appointed by the foundation council; they act as employer, represent the foundation legally, and implement the council's decisions through the office team. The chair also serves on the investment committee. Board members are appointed for three years. filia's Girls' Advisory Council allows young women from age 14 to co-decide on funding for girls' projects across Germany. In 2020, filia launched the Empowerment Program Women & Flight (Frauen & Flucht), with an advisory council of ten refugee and migrant women who advise on funding decisions and program development. filia is a member of Prospera – International Network of Women's Funds (INWF), the Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID), and Wandelstiften, an association of 16 foundations, among other networks.

filia.die frauenstiftung was founded in 2001 in Wiesbaden by nine women as a community foundation (Gemeinschaftsstiftung) with an initial capital of 250,000 euros. Its vision was to give women and girls worldwide better opportunities and enable them to shape their own lives. By 2017, the foundation's capital had grown to 16 million euros. Due to the financial crisis, the foundation restructured its fundraising in 2011, shifting from a capital-based foundation to a donation-oriented one. It belongs to the 6.2% of civil-law foundations in Germany with more than 10 million euros in foundation capital. It is Germany's only foundation that funds women's projects worldwide and, by a wide margin, the largest foundation in Germany led by women and specifically funding women's projects. As of 2017, filia had funded 340 self-determined activities and projects by women and girls in 40 countries in various parts of the world. Approximately 80% of funds go to projects worldwide, and 20% of funding goes to girls' projects in Germany. Since 2012, filia has supported the UN General Assembly resolution on the International Day of the Girl through its Girls' Empowerment Program (MädchenEmpowermentProgramm, MPM). The program emphasizes that girls' participation in decisions affecting them is key to breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence and to promoting and protecting the full and effective enjoyment of their human rights. Implementation includes funding exclusively projects by and for girls and young women in Germany, having a Girls' Advisory Council of young women aged 14 to 24 co-decide which projects are funded, and having the girls' council members represent themselves and their perspectives in public. In 2020, filia launched the Empowerment Program Women & Flight (Frauen & Flucht), and since September 2020 there has been an advisory council for it. It consists of ten refugee and migrant women who advise filia on funding decisions and the further development of the program. They bring their own experiences, various focus areas, and intersectional perspectives into the program. filia's work includes education and upbringing, politics, and women's and girls' projects worldwide, with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe; projects on political participation, sexual self-determination, anti-violence, combating trafficking in women, strengthening girls as leaders; and support for networks and the umbrella association of international women's foundations. All women and girls on the foundation's bodies work on a voluntary basis. The foundation holds an annual assembly where donors, women from the bodies, and the filia team meet to discuss successes, challenges, and future plans. The foundation council (Stiftungsrat) consists of seven women elected every three years by active donors; they determine policy and strategy and decide on funding allocations. The board (Vorstand) consists of three women appointed by the foundation council; they act as employer, represent the foundation legally, and implement the council's decisions through the office team. The chair also serves on the investment committee. Board members are appointed for three years. filia is a member of Prospera – International Network of Women's Funds (INWF), the Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID), and Wandelstiften, an association of 16 foundations, among other networks. The foundation continues to be active, marking its 25th anniversary and presenting studies on the underfunding of feminist civil society in Germany.

• 2026

  Celebrating 25 years with the 'Mutfunken' campaign.

• 2020

  Launched the Empowerment Program Women & Flight (Frauen & Flucht) and established its advisory council in September 2020.

• 2017

  Foundation capital reached 16 million euros; 340 projects in 40 countries funded to date.

• 2012

  Launched the Girls' Empowerment Program (MädchenEmpowermentProgramm, MPM) supporting the UN International Day of the Girl.

• 2011

  Restructured fundraising from a capital-based to a donation-oriented foundation due to the financial crisis.

• 2001

  Founded in Wiesbaden by nine women with an initial capital of 250,000 euros.

Change – not charity: a feminist foundation funding organizations by and for women, girls, and LBTIQ+ people, with participatory grantmaking.

• MädchenEmpowermentProgramm (MPM)

  Funds projects by and for girls and young women in Germany, with a Girls' Advisory Council co-deciding on funding.

• Frauen & Flucht Empowerment Program

  Supports refugee and migrant women, with an advisory council of ten refugee and migrant women.

• Grants for women's and girls' projects worldwide

  Approximately 80% of funds go to projects worldwide, 20% to girls' projects in Germany.

1. 1filia.die frauenstiftung – Frauen und Mädchen weltweit stärkenfilia-frauenstiftung.de
2. 2filia.die frauenstiftung – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Filia. Die Frauenstiftung – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org