INKOTA network

INKOTA-netzwerk e.V. (INKOTA network) is a German non-profit development policy organisation headquartered in Berlin, with a regional office in Dresden. It was founded in October 1971 in Halle (Saale) as an ecumenical working group by Protestant and Catholic students and other activists, including agricultural scientist Erich Hoffmann. The name INKOTA stands for INformation, KOordination, TAgungen (information, coordination, conferences), reflecting its origins as a platform for independent information and networking on North-South issues in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). After German reunification, INKOTA continued its work from 1990 as an independent registered non-profit association based in Berlin. Its members include development policy grassroots groups, church congregations, world shops (Weltläden), and individual supporters. The organisation works with partners in the Global South—including Côte d’Ivoire, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Mozambique, Nicaragua, and Vietnam—to support self-determined development and the enforcement of rights. At the same time, it advocates for structural change in the Global North through campaigns and educational work in Germany and Europe. INKOTA's thematic priorities include global food and agriculture, textiles and shoes, cocoa and chocolate, raw materials and mining, and corporate social responsibility. It is a founding member of the German Attac network and participates in multi-stakeholder initiatives such as the Fair Wear Foundation and the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles. Its campaigns include "Make Chocolate Fair!" (launched in 2013) and its involvement in the "Wir haben es satt!" agricultural transition movement. The organisation publishes the quarterly magazine Südlink and the INKOTA-Texte series. Funding comes from membership fees and donations, church and private foundation grants, public grants (e.g., from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, BMZ), European Commission funds, and the INKOTA Foundation. INKOTA holds the donation seal of the German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI) and adheres to transparency codes such as the Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft and VENRO codes. The organisation is led by managing directors Arndt von Massenbach and Emily Büning.

INKOTA-netzwerk e.V. was founded in October 1971 in Halle (Saale) by Protestant and Catholic students and other activists, including agricultural scientist Erich Hoffmann. It continued the work of the "Aktionsgemeinschaft für die Hungernden" (Action Community for the Hungry), which had been initiated in 1957 by Präses Lothar Kreyssig, Bishop Kurt Scharf, Willy Brandt, Heinz Galinski, and others as one of the first German development policy organisations. The name INKOTA stands for INformation, KOordination, TAgungen (information, coordination, conferences), reflecting its purpose of exchanging independent information, coordinating joint actions, and organising conferences on development policy topics. In the GDR, the association advocated for independent information on the North-South conflict, the vision of a solidarity-based life, and North-South partnerships across closed borders. In the 1980s, as an ecumenical working group under the umbrella of the Federation of Protestant Churches, it helped shape the Conciliar Process for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation in the GDR. Like other groups of the civil rights movement, INKOTA-netzwerk was in opposition to the existing conditions. After German reunification, INKOTA continued its work from 1990 as an independent registered non-profit association based in Berlin. A regional office is located in Dresden. Its members include development policy grassroots groups, church congregations, world shops, and individual activists. Over the decades, INKOTA has focused on educational, public relations, and campaign work on development policy issues, aiming to mobilise public support for socially just, ecologically sustainable, and peaceful globalisation. Thematic priorities have included debt relief for developing countries, international trade and agricultural policy, and corporate social responsibility of globally operating companies. INKOTA is a founding member of the globalisation-critical network Attac in Germany. Publications such as the magazine Südlink and the INKOTA-Texte series provide information and discussion forums. In the first half of the 1990s, INKOTA also supported the publication Mahfel. In 2009, it promoted nationwide screenings of the ARTE film "Monsanto, mit Gift und Genen" to spark discussion about the seed corporation's power over world food. The organisation is part of the "Wir haben es satt!" movement for agricultural transition and co-organiser of the annual demonstration since 2011. In 2013, it launched the Europe-wide "Make Chocolate Fair!" campaign, soon supported by numerous organisations in twelve European countries. INKOTA works in multi-stakeholder initiatives such as the Fair Wear Foundation and the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles to improve working conditions in the textile and clothing industry. It also supported the "Change your Shoes" initiative to achieve better working conditions and the right to organise in trade unions in the Indian shoe industry. Development cooperation projects support grassroots organisations in El Salvador, Guatemala, Vietnam, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, India, Sierra Leone, Bangladesh, and Mozambique. The goal is to improve the long-term living situation of underprivileged people and promote alternative social, economic, and political structures. Project focuses include local rural development, human rights, women's empowerment, and work with disabled and traumatised children. Funding comes from membership fees and donations, grants from churches and private foundations, public grants (e.g., from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, BMZ), European Commission funds (e.g., EuropeAid), and resources from the INKOTA Foundation. The association holds the donation seal of the German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI). It is a member of numerous organisations, alliances, and campaigns, including Aktionsgemeinschaft Dienst für den Frieden (AGDF), Attac, Berliner Entwicklungspolitischer Ratschlag, Netzwerk Unternehmensverantwortung "Corporate Accountability", Entwicklungspolitisches Netzwerk Sachsen, Erlassjahr.de, Forum Fairer Handel, Forum Umwelt und Entwicklung, Kampagne für Saubere Kleidung, Klima-Allianz Deutschland, Koordinierungskreis Mosambik, Oikocredit, Supermarkt-Initiative, and VENRO.

• 2013

  Launches the Europe-wide 'Make Chocolate Fair!' campaign.

• 2011

  Co-organises the first 'Wir haben es satt!' demonstration for agricultural transition.

• 2009

  INKOTA promotes nationwide screenings of the ARTE film 'Monsanto, mit Gift und Genen'.

• 1990

  After German reunification, INKOTA continues as an independent registered non-profit association based in Berlin.

• 1971

  INKOTA founded in October in Halle (Saale) as an ecumenical working group by Protestant and Catholic students, including Erich Hoffmann.

• 1957

  Predecessor organisation 'Aktionsgemeinschaft für die Hungernden' founded by Lothar Kreyssig, Kurt Scharf, Willy Brandt, Heinz Galinski and others.

Non-profit development policy organisation advocating for global justice, corporate accountability, and sustainable supply chains.

• Südlink magazine

  Quarterly magazine published by INKOTA, covering development policy topics.

• INKOTA-Texte series

  Publication series providing information and discussion forums on development policy issues.

• Make Chocolate Fair! campaign

  Europe-wide campaign launched in 2013 for fair cocoa and chocolate production.

• Change your Shoes initiative

  Initiative for better working conditions and union rights in the Indian shoe industry.

1. 1INKOTA-netzwerk e.V. | INKOTA-netzwerk e.V.inkota.de
2. 2Über uns | INKOTA-netzwerk e.V.inkota.de
3. 3Unser Team | INKOTA-netzwerk e.V.inkota.de
4. 4Transparenz | INKOTA-netzwerk e.V.inkota.de
5. 5INKOTA networkwikidata.org
6. 6INKOTA-netzwerkde.wikipedia.org