Who we are

Together with our partners, we support people all over the world where poverty is most prevalent. We work to achieve social and ecological justice in Germany, Europe and worldwide.

'Misereor super turbam’ (‘I have compassion on the crowd’): this is the motto under which we were founded in 1958 as a campaign ‘against hunger and disease’. As an episcopal agency, we draw strength and hope from our faith. For us, there is only one big human family living on our planet earth. The people we work with are our brothers and sisters. 

We support partner organisations in 85 countries around the world that stand side by side with the people experiencing injustice and poverty. Their work is made possible through German public funds and donations entrusted to Misereor. 

Thousands of people support us with their personal gift or get involved during the annual Lenten Campaign. Parishes and groups work with our Lenten Veil during this time.

Misereor weltweit

In 85 Ländern weltweit sind Misereor-Partnerorganisationen aktiv.

Wenn Sie ein konkretes Projekt unterstützen möchten, finden Sie unter "Spendenprojekte" eine Auswahl.

Spendenprojekte

Alle unsere Spendenprojekte stehen unter der Regie einheimischer Partnerorganisationen und folgen dem Prinzip der Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe. Wir haben Spendenprojekte für Sie ausgewählt, die die elementaren Sorgen der Menschen lindern & strukturelle Ursachen bekämpfen. 

Wählen Sie auf der Karte ein Land oder klicken Sie die Themen an, für die Sie gerne spenden möchten.

Status: June 2024

Important milestones in our history

Gepa
1975 : Fair Trade movement & GEPA

From the 1970s onwards, an ecumenical Fair Trade movement emerged in West Germany, as in other European countries. More and more groups and OneWorld shops sold coffee, tea and spices. Together with like-minded individuals from the OneWorld shops and the Protestant Church, Misereor founded the Fair Trade company Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Partnerschaft mit der Dritten Welt (GEPA). Over the next few years, GEPA became the largest European importer of Fair Trade goods and successfully introduced Fair Trade products to the wider public.

Lent campaign poster: I want to be human | Misereor
1983: "I want to be human"

With the 1983 Lenten Campaign and its motto “I want to be human” Misereor drew attention to the human rights violations in South Africa and took a firm stand against the racist apartheid regime. At the time, criticism of the South African government was politically contentious. Misereor supported consultation centres, educational institutions and trade unions in South Africa. Artists in exile contributed to the Official Opening of the Lenten Campaign.

Teaser Milestones Misereor
1996 : Sustainable Germany

The research study “Sustainable Germany: A Contribution to Sustainable Global Development”, conducted by the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy and commissioned by Misereor and BUND, was the first scientifically grounded sustainability strategy for Germany. With unflinching clarity, the study highlighted the German society’s resource consumption. The ensuing societal debate paved the way for the development of the very first national sustainability strategies.

  1. More about our history

Transparency

Openness and transparency are the foundations of our work. We ensure that the donations entrusted to us make a difference. Learn more about our use of funds and project work in our most recent annual report and annual evaluation report. Get to know our environmental management and our commitment to non-violent work around the world.

Working for Misereor

For a just world, we learn together, build networks of like-minded people, and take action: learn more about working for Misereor.

Meet us – on site or online

Exhibition of Misereor hunger cloths

05.03.2025 - 27.04.2025, all day
Museum de Schat van Simpelveld, Simpelveld / NL

The Misereor hunger cloths have been a central component of the Lenten campaigns for 50 years.

Learn more
Maypole campaign 2025

30.04.2025, 09:30 - 14:00 Uhr
Mozartstraße 9, 52064 Aachen

We are reviving the Rhenish maypole tradition and giving out maypoles to lovers in return for a donation.

Learn more
Online event: No energy at the expense of the poorest.

12.05.2025, 19:00 - 20:00 Uhr
Online

Online event series: Current challenges in development cooperation.

Learn more
  1. All events