The non-profit federal foundation COMÚN will receive exactly 100,400 euros from Marlene Engelhorn’s inheritance worth millions, as the “Good Council” decided in July 2024. A large sum for the small citizens’ foundation based in the Waldviertel, which is now being funded as part of a… Press conference revealed what the donation would be used for. Three activities were selected to start in collaboration with experts, and more will follow in 2025.
„Social redistribution can only have its full positive effect if the public learns what happens to the money. That’s why we’re now presenting the first projects that we’re launching with the money from the Engelhorn donation. We are dedicated to addressing attacks on our democracy, protecting our forests, and strengthening communities“ said Veronika and Sebastian Bohrn Mena, founders and board members of COMÚN.
Democracy, forests & participation: Activities start in September
The three projects start in September, but are aimed at a longer period. Here is more information about the individual activities:
- Contested democracy: In collaboration with the Volkstheater Vienna, a multi-part series of events on the subject of right-wing extremism is being offered. Four events will take place in 2024, starting on September 23rd. Topics such as “Radicalized Mass”, “Trump and Democracy”, “Right-Wing Conspiracy Myths” and “Right-Wing Hatred of Women” are discussed. Personal participants on site include Annika Brockschmidt, Oliver Nachtwey, Katharina Nocun, Natascha Strobl and Veronika Kracher, each moderated by Veronika Bohrn Mena. More information at https://comun.at/demokratie
- Foundation forest: Model project on an area of 15,000 square meters in the heart of the Waldviertel to turn endangered monocultures into resilient ecosystems again. Under the direction of environmental expert Matthias Schickhofer and with the participation of experts such as Pierre Ibisch, Nina Schönemann, Thomas Kainz & Gerald Blaich, forest ecological measures will be implemented, excursions will be carried out and guides will be created over the course of two years. This should also enable other forest owners to fill their areas with life in the spirit of biodiversity and climate protection. More information at https://stiftungswald.at
- #100People: Many good ideas fail not because of motivation, but because of financing. At the same time, more and more people feel the desire to make a personal contribution to making concrete initiatives and projects possible. The gap should be closed with #100 people. The approach behind it: 100 people donate 100 euros each and use it to finance various initiatives and projects. What’s special: without exception, all fees and costs are borne by the foundation, so all donations go exclusively to the activities presented. More information at https://100menschen.com
OTS ORIGINAL TEXT PRESS RELEASE UNDER THE EXCLUSIVE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SENDER FOR CONTENT – WWW.OTS.AT | TIV