Strengthens Europe through education, integration, and climate action.
Stiftung Mercator is a private foundation based in Germany that aims to strengthen Europe, improve integration through education, drive climate action, and support cultural education. It focuses on four main areas: Digital Society, Europe in the World, Climate Action, and Participation and Cohesion. The foundation has significant financial resources, with an annual grant-making budget of around €60 million. It supports both its own projects and external initiatives. While specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed, the foundation funds a wide range of projects from small local initiatives to large-scale international collaborations. Mercator Foundation seeks to fund innovative projects that align with its strategic goals and have the potential for broad impact. It values cross-sector cooperation and evidence-based approaches. The foundation supports research, policy development, practical interventions, and public engagement initiatives. Recent projects supported by Mercator include the "Daring New Spaces" initiative to foster a European public sphere, research on digital civil society in Germany, and climate action programs. The foundation also provides core funding to organizations working in its priority areas. Stiftung Mercator aims to be a catalyst for social change, supporting projects that can drive systemic transformation rather than just addressing symptoms. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration and learning in its funding approach.