The DBU funds innovative, exemplary and solution-oriented projects for the protection of the environment, with special consideration of small and medium-sized enterprises. The funding activities focus on environmental technology and research, nature conservation, environmental communication and protection of cultural assets. Education for sustainable development is an important focus in the field of environmental communication.

Funded projects should achieve sustainable effects in practice, give impulses and lead to a “multiplier effect”. It is the objective of the DBU to contribute to the solution of current environmental problems, in particular, which result from unsustainable business practices and lifestyles. The DBU sees the crucial challenges primarily in the areas of climate change, biodiversity loss, unsustainable use of natural resources, and harmful emissions. The funding topics are linked both to current scientific findings on the Planetary Boundaries and to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Activities of the DBU within the framework of UNESCO programmes

The DBU has provided significant support for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) and the UNESCO Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development (2015-2019): In more than 300 projects, the DBU has promoted model solutions and their transfer into long-term structures. DBU representatives are also active in the central committees.

In the UNESCO framework "Education for Sustainable Development: towards achieving the SDGs (ESD for 2030), the DBU is providing new impetus in the form of innovative and exemplary education projects and through its operational activities.

In spring 2020 the DBU launched a call for proposals on "The Great Transformation - Sustainability Dilemmas and Dealing with Uncertainties".

More than 200 applications have been submitted, 26 projects shortlisted, and 14 projects selected by a jury of experts and the Board of Trustees of the foundation.

The broad spectrum of topics includes, for example, dilemmas between (renewable) energy and biodiversity or conflicts of objectives in the areas of climate protection and climate justice, consumption, urban development or land use.

The target groups are primarily children and young people, but also students, teachers, medical professionals and trade unionists.

Project promoters are NGOs, institutions for teacher training, engineering training, universities and small and medium-sized enterprises. Partners in the projects include municipalities, districts and trade unions. Several projects focus even on international cooperation and collaboration between German and foreign ESD stakeholders and ESD institutions.

A digital launch event for the DBU call will be held on Monday, 21 June 2021, starting at 11 am.

Further information on the funded projects and on the event can be found at https://www.dbu.de/ESD.”