Thematic Focus

Global Engagement

Bach vor einzelnen Häusern in weiter Landschaft, im Hintergrund hohe Berge

For decades, the Volkswagen Foundation has been providing regional funding, as for example here in the Central Asia/Caucasus region.

Global perspectives in science and science promotion are of central importance for the foundation. Our global engagement is embedded in the foundation’s statutes and funding guidelines. We constantly adapt our international activities to the changing global context to achieve the best possible impact.

We shape our global engagement in a goal-oriented, responsible and flexible manner! 

Guideline for our global engagement

The four foci of our global engagement:

  • Foundation networks and partnerships
  • Global academic cooperations to build mutual trust
  • Competence building to deal with disruptive changes
  • An open, global discourse

   

Stories #Global Engagement

Frauen mit Kopftüchern sitzen an Tischen und haben Steinblöcke mit Inschriften vor sich liegen, die sie betrachten.
Story 26 February 2025

Archaeology as reconstruction: Ancient Near Eastern Studies in Mosul

He came to Mosul with the task of excavating ancient Nineveh. In the meantime, however, the mission of the ancient orientalist Stefan Maul goes far beyond this: he is rebuilding the study of antiquity in Iraq. And he is teaching the people what the Islamists robbed them of: pride in their cultural heritage.

Zwei Hände halten einen grünen Sack mit Reishülsen
Story 10 September 2024

Affordable water-purification from waste

Trained as a mechanical engineer, the Kampala-based researcher Peter W. Olupot has spent the last decade finding ways to produce affordable water purification systems using rice husks, a common byproduct of rice production.

Funding offers #Global Engagement

Many of our funding programmes have an international focus, the following is a current selection. You can find an overview of all our funding programmes under Our Funding Portfolio

News #Global Engagement

Illustration with a man sneezing, in the background various means of transport (e.g. aeroplane, train, lorry)
Funding Offer 25 January 2024

New call: Transdisciplinary Approaches to Mobility and Global Health

Woman on stage speaking into a microphone
News 15 November 2023

Ukraine aid: "A project for the post-war future"

A Person showing a picture of a burning house on the smartphone
News 20 June 2023

Support for Ukraine: Preparing for peacetime

Woman leafing through a book
Story 24 April 2023

At the University of Jena, a Ukrainian researcher who fled the war in her country is able to continue her work

Podium mit several people
News 04 April 2023

African scientists create "Knowledge for Tomorrow"

Woman in front of a shelf with records
Story 16 March 2023

Supporting Science in Sub-Saharan Africa: Saving people and sounds from being forgotten