Introduction

Promotion of Democracy and Work on Development and Peace

Democracy promotion represents one of the main areas of the international activities of the Heinrich Böll Foundation and it is dealt with as an independent subject and a cross-sectional task. Therewith our work aims primarily at the legitimacy of policy makers and decision-making processes as well as the application of democratic principles in other areas such as climate and gender policy.

Our work in the field of Democracy Promotion is taking the specific context of each county into account and varies in relation to its needs and scope of actions. We are working in strong cooperation with partners from different levels of interest, the civil society and state actors. However, civil society has a continuously important role for the successful implementation of our projects worldwide.

Promoting gender equality is another important goal of our work. Our programs on conflict management, reconciliation and reconstruction of democratic institutions are characterized by a gender-sensitive approach. Since 2007, the Heinrich Böll Foundation is a member of FriEnt (Working Group on Development and Peace). The foundation takes an active part in building competence and contributes its experience in the political management of conflicts and in dealing with civil society and state actors.

Beside the focus on climate change and its consequences for democracy we are supporting human rights activities.

Thus, we are promoting projects concerning the empowerment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersexual (LGBTI) people and acting as a network- and a co-operation partner of different group of interests.