About us

We believe that effective and sustainable change is best driven by the people who are directly confronted with the social and environmental challenges of our time in various ways.

That is why we support ChanceMaker with the aim of helping people around the world to lead independent lives. With our innovative solutions, we open up new prospects for disadvantaged people.

Patrick Knodel
Patrick Knodel

CEO

Dr. Christoph Neusiedl
Dr. Christoph Neusiedl

Communications, Fundraising & Impact

Ingrid Eberspächer
Ingrid Eberspächer

Assistant

Peter Cramer
Peter Cramer

Online Communications

After careful consideration, we also offer new, innovative and courageous solutions a chance. We generally provide long-term support to all ChanceMaker initiatives in order to achieve maximum impact and create opportunities to expand the programmes and activities to other population groups.

We operate like an agile start-up, always open to new ideas. We welcome innovation and combine entrepreneurial spirit with a clear focus on the creation of sustainable livelihoods for local people.

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Patrick Knodel contributes his extensive experience, not only as the head of our foundation, but also as the founder of an impact investment company. This company alos invests African impact ventures, prioritising social and environmental impact. This dual role enables us to have in-depth expertise in evaluating viable organisational models and provides access to on an extensive network on the African continent.

In addition to that, Christoph Neusiedl brings many years of experience in development cooperation, living and working in South Asia. This gives us access to a broad network in the region as well as many years of expertise in the evaluation of effective non-profit approaches and models.

We are reliable sparring partners for our ChanceMakers who are looking for exchange beyond financial resources. In doing so, we draw on our many years of expertise in non-profit work and our constantly growing network. Whenever possible, we visit the ChanceMakers on site to gain a direct impression of the impact of their initiatives.

Contemporary learning no longer takes place in conventional classrooms. In the global South, the promise which equals obtaining a school or college degree with obtaining a secure job holds no longer true, if it ever has. In order to build better lives for themselves, young people need practical know-how, locally applicable knowledge, critical thinking skills, creative abilities and an entrepreneurial spirit. That is why we support innovative local learning initiatives that enable learners to acquire relevant skills in a variety of ways. At the same time, learners are supported in developing their personalities and realizing their full potential. Cooperation and community-building, solving local problems and developing new business ideas for a more sustainable world are often at the forefront here.

Humans, nature and animals should be able to develop and flourish together in an intact ecosystem. In order to effectively address some of the most pressing and interlocking problems of our time – poverty & inequality, climate change, species extinction, the loss of vital biodiversity – we need innovative approaches for a fair coexistence. This is achieved by creating sustainable livelihoods for local populations, preserving or expanding natural resources, and protecting nature and wildlife. Through our promotion of interlinked, holistic measures that combine these aspects, disadvantaged people can tap into new life opportunities right where they live. At the same time, as local changemakers, they contribute to making the world a more livable place for all of us.

Everyone has the right to live a self-determined life. In order for us to continuously develop and grow, seize opportunities and improve our lives, certain preconditions are required: Freedom, peace, human dignity and easy access to various resources. Through no fault of their own, many people living in poverty find themselves in circumstances that deny them these prerequisites. Modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation have increased significantly over the past years. Global conflicts and crises are also on the rise due to social inequalities, climate change and dwindling natural resources. In addition, vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, for example refugees, women living in patriarchal structures or people with disabilities, often receive insufficient support in order to take life into their own hands. Therefore, we support initiatives that free people from poverty & exploitation, implement dialogue-promoting & inclusive measures and create the foundations for new life opportunities.

The economy should be in service of life – not the other way around. We often think that our economic system is something “given,” “fixed,” that we cannot change. But over the last few years in particular, many alternatives to the status quo have already developed. These can be summarized under “wellbeing economies”. Instead of pushing for ever higher profits and ever more economic growth as an end in itself, wellbeing economies focus on our human and planetary needs and thus contribute to the development of a sustainable world. That is why we support, among other initiatives, social businesses from the global South that solve social and/or ecological problems and lift people out of poverty.

Thinking and acting responsibly and holistically means making our contribution to a fairer world in Germany as well. Only then can real, systemic change succeed so we can succeed in shaping sustainable world together. Poverty & inequality, the destruction of nature and the collapse of biodiversity are increasing not only globally, but also in Germany. To address these pressing issues, we need concrete and holistic solutions that include all population groups. This includes, for example, creating contemporary educational opportunities that make youth fit for the challenges of our time, an inclusive economy that focuses on human beings and the planet, and strengthening independent media outlets that nurture diverse perspectives.
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