In the wilderness lies the preservation of the world.
Transparency
Together Transparently for Nature
Ever since Wilderness International was founded, transparency was a priority for us. Our unique structure calls for a high level of transparency: 25 founding donors, the board with three members in the organization’s management, as well as our employees and most of all volunteers, and everything supervised by our 8-member council.
In her master’s thesis (in German) “Responsible Management in Foundations – Derivation of a Recommendation for Implementation” using the example of Wilderness International, president of board Ellen Weiland thoroughly analyzed transparency and, with 40 interviews, conducted a broad stakeholder dialogue. Subsequently, we decided to join the “Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft“ (Initiative for a Transparent Civil Community) and post regular reports about the work of Wilderness International. This choice represents the broad consensus of all panel members, employees, volunteers, founding donors, supporters and partners of Wilderness International.
We are aware that as a charitable organization we owe it to everyone involved to use our financial means responsibly, such that they guarantee the maximum possible achievements in our projects. A big part of our work is completed by our many volunteers. Since the founding of Wilderness International in April 2008, we have thus never exceeded the quota of a 10% administration cost. Our biggest expenditures are the purchase of wilderness areas as well as wide regional and international programs for environmental education.
This book published in 2016 (in German) showcases a more profound insight into our work:
On top of joining the Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft, Wilderness International is going to sign the International Non-Governmental Organisations Accountability Charter in 2019. In doing so, Wilderness International is committing to high Standards of transparency, accountability and effectiveness for international NGOs. An annual statement of accounts will do justice to that.
In Germany, there are no universal obligations for publications in the non-profit sector. Nonetheless, we consider it important for charitable organizations to disclose their structures, activities and finances in a transparent administration. Thus, we joined the Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft and signed Transparency International e.V.’s 10-point commitment to disclose our activities.
Transparent, open and honest for the environment
By joining the Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft, Wilderness International commits to publish reports about the activities of the organization, the source of their financial means and use thereof, as well as the names of decision makers on their website. Wilderness International has joined the Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft.
Initiative Transparente Zivilgesellschaft
1. Name, Location, Address and year founded
Name: Stiftung Wilderness International
Location: Dresden
Address: Tolkewitzer Str. 32, 01277 Dresden
Year founded: 2008
3. Information about Tax Concession
Certificate (in German) of Finanzamt Dresden I StNr 201/143/03721 K6 from 15.05.2013 acknowledging a charitable purpose. We hereby confirm that contributions are used solely for the promotion of environmental and natural conservation, animal protection, education, science and research, intercultural understanding and development aid.
4. Name and Role of Essential Decision Makers
The council is composed as follows:
Stephan Hürten (president), Dr. Steffen Kolschmann (vice president), Marit Richter, Sandra Zügge, Vera Philipps, Sissel Hammerstrom, Tom Andersch, Thomas Kimmel
The foundation’s board is composed as follows:
Kai Andersch (chairperson), Jürgen Thiele (financial chief officer), Hans Dierstein
6. Structure of Staff
6 full-time employees, ca. 25 volunteers
Kai Andersch: chairperson of board
Jürgen Thiele: financial chief officer
Hannes Holtermann: Head of Operations
Brigitte Heyduck: Management environmental projects
Henriette Wessel: Western Arctic Project Coordination, Communications
Tobias Hürten: Project Management
Lina Skarabis: Coordination CO2-Calculator
Carina Büder: Federal Voluntary Service Public Relations
Antonia Seifert: Federal Voluntary Service
Fabian Kubsch: Voluntary Ecological Year
Jenin Ziemens: PR
Claudia Römer: Administration