Our work in brief
For a life of human dignity - our work in brief
Picture: Uta Rademacher Kindernothilfe e.V. (KNH) is a Non-Governmental, Non-Profit Organisation founded in Germany in 1959. Kindernothilfe partners with local non-governmental organisations and their networks in 29 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe to realize and protect children's rights.
Kindernothilfe reaches out to some 700,000 children with programmes and projects which help vulnerable and marginalized children to access sustainable opportunities to grow and develop their full potential.
In Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Luxemburg Kindernothilfe engages in awareness raising, education and advocacy related to development policies and particularly the implementation and amendment (optional protocol) of the United Nations child rights convention. Kindernothilfe is a recognised organisation concerning child rights in Germany.
Vision
Our strategic direction and engagement is based upon Christian values. Our vision is a world, where all children enjoy their rights regardless of their social, economic, political and religious backgrounds.
Mission and Action
Poverty is one of the main factors why children in developing countries are seriously deprived of their rights. Therefore, we contribute to poverty alleviation by financing and supporting around 1,000 sustainable middle and long-term development projects and programmes that reach out to marginalised and vulnerable children, their families and communities. All projects and programmes contribute to a sustainable economic, social and political empowerment of the beneficiaries. Children and their best interest are the focus of all projects and programmes.
To claim and safeguard the children's rights requires powerful national and local civil societies. Therefore, we strengthen civil society by cooperating with and supporting local Non-Governmental and Community Based Organisations. We actively facilitate the development of strong local civil society structures to claim individual and collective rights. We offer humanitarian aid whenever beneficiaries of projects and programmes of our cooperation partners are seriously affected by the results of a disaster. Disaster Risk Reduction is one main focus of our humanitarian aid concept.
In a globalized world children's rights can only be secured by a global civil society. Therefore, we advocate on national and international platforms together with partners and networks for the realization of child rights (VENRO, CONCORD, National Coalition for the Rights of the Child, ECPAT, a.o.).
Poverty, slow development and bad governance cannot only be linked to local and national factors. International commitments, policies and economic factors impede the development efforts of developing countries. Therefore, we raise awareness in Europe with regard to development cooperation, policies, and children's rights. We motivate people to voluntarily engage in advocating the rights of children in international development.
Approach, Strategies and Methods
We develop further our systems, structures, approaches, strategies and methodologies on the basis of learning experiences generated through regular evaluation processes and exchange with its partners.
All projects and programmes are implemented in accordance with the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights", the "International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights", and the "United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child".
Further information on our approach, strategies and methods
Finances
Kindernothilfe is financially secure. For the last 10 years Kindernothilfe has maintained, or increased annual income from private and public financial sources.
These financial sources of Kindernothilfe are manifold:
Private individuals and groups
Kindernothilfe has a stable income through 88,000 reliable and continuous commitments from private supporters who donate a fixed amount on a regular basis. Their regular contributions secure more than half of the total income.
Foundations, inheritances
Income from various national and international foundations is also increasing steadily. A private foundation has been established to handle endowments and legacies.
Funds from public donors
For more than 15 years, Kindernothilfe has received funds from public donors such as the European Union, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Other donations
Additional income is generated through specific fundraising efforts. In cases of severe disasters, Kindernothilfe receives significant amounts for emergency aid from individuals and via aid networks like the Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft (Alliance Development Works).
Personnel
The total number of staff at our head office is about 140, with one third being directly involved in coordination and facilitation of projects and programmes, development strategies and policies.
Controlling and Supervision
Since 1992, Kindernothilfe has annually received the "Seal of Approval" of the "German Central Institute for Social Affairs" (DZI) given to organisations with a proven track record in using donations in a reliable, transparent and responsible manner. Right from the beginning in 2005 Kindernothilfe participated in the annual transparency award competition of PriceWaterhouseCoopers and always ranked among the ten finalists.