Learn About ChildFund

ChildFund Deutschland e. V. is a child protection organization based in Nürtingen. Since 1978, we have been working worldwide to improve the future prospects of children in need, their families, and their entire communities. We support development cooperation projects in over 30 countries—primarily in the areas of education, food security, livelihood support, and child protection. We also provide humanitarian aid in times of crisis.

ChildFund Deutschland e. V. is registered in the Register of Associations at the Stuttgart Local Court and is recognized as a nonprofit organization. In addition to our office in Nürtingen, we have a branch in Berlin and a country office in Lviv, Ukraine.

Our association is governed by its members. The highest governing body is the General Assembly. It elects the volunteer Supervisory Board, which in turn appoints and oversees the Executive Board. The Executive Board works full-time and is responsible for operational management.

ChildFund Germany is a member of the ChildFund Alliance, an international network of eleven child protection organizations, as well as the Association of German Non-Governmental Organizations for Development Policy and Humanitarian Aid (VENRO). Since 1995, we have continuously been awarded the Donation Seal by the German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI). We are also a member of the Transparent Civil Society Initiative, which advocates for uniform disclosure standards and greater accountability among organizations.

Our project work is funded by private donations and institutional grants. The latter include, among others, public funds from the Federal Foreign Office (AA), the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the EU, or the UN, as well as support from foundations and companies.

ChildFund Germany was founded on January 17, 1978, in Nürtingen by Astrid Greiner under the name CCF Kinderhilfswerk. Within a very short time, the organization achieved remarkable success. In 1990, Greiner was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit for her extraordinary life’s work. In the early 2000s, in addition to child sponsorships, two other funding methods were established at the child protection organization that remain in place today: grants from public funds and project-based donations.

In 2006, the ChildFund Stiftung gGmbH was established in addition to the association: a foundation center that currently serves as the home to 22 trust foundations (as of 2024) working under the umbrella of ChildFund.

In 2009, CCF Kinderhilfswerk renamed itself ChildFund Deutschland. This was done with an eye toward the ChildFund Alliance, as the members wanted to increase their collective visibility as a network. Despite the name change, the values and standards guiding our work remained the same.

With Ukraine’s rapprochement with the EU in 2014 and the accompanying outbreak of war against Russia, a shift in policy has also taken place in Ukraine. In addition to our work in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, we have since intensified our project work in Eastern Europe and, through the establishment of the Eastern Partnership team, are increasingly committed to improving future opportunities for children in Armenia, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine.

On July 8, 2017, the General Assembly of ChildFund Germany, as the organization’s highest governing body, adapted the organization’s structure to meet the growing demands of its work. Since then, a full-time Executive Board has been responsible for leadership and management. The volunteer Supervisory Board oversees its activities.

With the intensification of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, we have further expanded our work in Ukraine. In addition to our existing development cooperation in this Eastern European country, we have also established humanitarian aid there. In addition to the procurement and distribution of food, clothing, and hygiene products, medical and psychosocial support are also at the forefront of our aid programs.

Everything we do, we do out of conviction. Making the world a better place is only possible if we put our hearts into it. Our vision is a world in which all children and young people can exercise their rights, have the chance at a bright future, and thus reach their full potential—confident and self-determined.

That is why we advocate for children and young people worldwide. For their rights and their protection. For their opportunities and possibilities. Together with our donors and sponsors, as well as our local partner organizations on the ground. But also together with the children, young people, and families with whom we collaborate in our projects. Together, we find sustainable solutions that strengthen their rights and well-being in the long term, thereby enabling children and young people to take control of their own futures.

Our values define the core of our work. They are the path we follow. Our conviction that guides us. They are our standard and our motivation. Our expectation and our guiding principle.

Our work is based above all on the three values of personal commitment, sincerity, and reliability. Competence, respect, responsibility, transparency, collaboration, and sustainability are key principles we adhere to. Our commitment is therefore guided by clear quality standards and codes of conduct, as well as transparent and effective impact monitoring. 

Through our work, we aim to achieve the best possible results. In doing so, we always interact as equals. Everyone involved is essential to achieving our goals. We work in a solution-oriented and pragmatic manner. We are not concerned with counting the obstacles that lie ahead of us, but with clearing them out of the way. We focus our attention on opportunities and alternatives. This ensures that our approaches and solutions remain innovative and goal-oriented. To achieve this, our projects are tailored and needs-based. Everyone is important, which is why our projects are developed in close collaboration with local communities. We adapt to local situations and needs—not the other way around. In doing so, we always strive for sustainability and a holistic approach in our work. We don’t always seek quick fixes; instead, we consciously choose to take the long road when necessary. Because our focus is on creating deep and lasting change for children, youth, and families.

When interacting with project participants, our partner organizations, and our donors, personal connection is a matter close to our hearts. We listen, understand, and find solutions. Because we do what we love. That’s why we only do what we truly believe makes sense. In doing so, we are transparent, reliable, and responsible. We work efficiently, clearly, and transparently. We keep our promises. This builds trust and lays the foundation for a strong partnership.