Michael Otto Foundation for Sustainability

To address some of the major challenges of our time, the foundation focuses on four key areas: promoting liberal democracy, strengthening human rights, conserving biodiversity, and supporting innovative educational concepts aimed at sustaining democracy and sustainability. For Michael Otto, these fields of action are closely interconnected: tackling climate change and the biodiversity crisis while strengthening social cohesion requires forward-looking and courageous action from all of us.

“Promoting an open and democratic society in which people can live and contribute equally is a cause close to my heart. It is important that we develop solutions together in order to harmonize the needs of both humans and nature.” This is his conviction.

The foundation aims to bring new approaches to implementation, actively shape change and promote the development of knowledge and skills. 

In this spirit, the Michael Otto Foundation for Sustainability acts as a partner and actively engages in funding alliances. Established in late 2023, the foundation places its main emphasis on promoting liberal democracy, particularly in response to increasing polarization in Germany. To this end, it supports concrete approaches in the fields of media literacy and discourse competence, as well as citizen participation and dialogue formats designed to bring people with different perspectives back into conversation - and into action.
Another current focus is the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems internationally, with a particular emphasis on wildlife conservation in East Africa. The primary aim is to work together with local communities to protect ecosystems and link biodiversity conservation with local development - to support sustainable development in the areas of education, health, the economy, and the environment.