The Friends of Waldorf Education
The Friends of Waldorf Education (Freunde der Erziehungskunst Rudolf Steiners e.V.) foster Waldorf initiatives worldwide. They advise and support almost 300 facilities in 70 countries.
Since 1976 the association’s work has been focused on funding Waldorf schools and kindergartens as well as therapeutic and curative-educational institutions. Through the “International Relief Fund”, donations without appropriation can be assigned all around the globe and to a 100% to initiatives in need of financial support. Furthermore the mediation of sponsorships allows children living in difficult circumstances to attend a Waldorf school. A key to the development of Waldorf education is the global promotion of teacher training.
In developing countries, the Friends of Waldorf Education fund school buildings together with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Since 2001, official relations exist with UNESCO. In addition “WOW-Day” is being organized as an annual fundraising campaign in cooperation with the European Council for Steiner Education and the German Federation of Waldorf Schools.
Since 1993, the association also offers international voluntary services. With some 600 deployments a year, the Friends of Waldorf Education are one of the largest civil society organizations in Germany offering such an opportunity and are officially certified with the Quifd-Seal. The “weltwärts” program and the International Voluntary Service enable young people to volunteer in a social initiative abroad. At the same time, the incoming program allows international volunteers, to gain practical experience in anthroposophical institutions in Germany. Currently a new collaboration is being established with the Association for Anthroposophical Curative Education, Social Therapy and Social Work for the mediation of internship opportunities in Germany.
The year 2006 marked the birth of the emergency education-program, with the purpose to support trauma victims in war zones and disaster affected areas and assist them in processing dramatic experiences as well as providing psychosocial stabilization. Since then, numerous missions were conducted in countries affected by war and natural disaster.
The work of the Friends of Waldorf Education is entirely funded through memberships and free donations. If you wish to support the aims and work of the Friends of Waldorf Education, we sincerely ask you for your contribution.
Important facts about us in brief
- Each year we pass on more than 4 million Euros in donations to over 200 projects.
- We pass on 100% of the donations.
- Projects co-financed by the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development with around 350.000 Euro per year.
- Around 1,000 members (individuals and institutions).
- Reports from all over the world, contact with around 400 institutions worldwide.
- Free newsletter twice a year.
- Online services (extensive link list, proposals for class projects...).
- Individual sponsorships (around 400 sponsorships for 30 schools).
- Voluntary services for around 500 young people per year.
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