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 worldwide

Misereor partner organisations are active in around 85 countries worldwide.

Would you like to support a specific project? Click on "Projects" to see a selection of our projects.

Projects

All our projects are run by local partner organisations and follow the approach of helping people help themselves. We have selected projects for you that address people's fundamental needs and concerns & combat structural root causes.

Select a country on the map or click on the topics for which you would like to donate.

Version: August 2026

Important milestones in our history

Logo 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.

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Meet us - on site or online

Qualification course in development policy engagement

30.10.2026, 18:00 Uhr - 29.11.2026, 13:00 Uhr
Munich and Aachen

The qualification course on development policy engagement delves deeper into topics such as sustainability, SDGs and human rights, supported by experts from Misereor. The course enables practical assignments and networking.

Learn more
South Africa & Germany in Transition – Panel Discussion

05.11.2026, 13:00 - 14:30 Uhr
The Jakob Kaiser Hall at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Academy, Berlin

Together with high-profile guests from South Africa and Germany, we will discuss South Africa’s challenges and role in the changing world order, as well as the prospects for the German-South African partnership.
Organisers: Misereor (Berlin) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation

Learn more
Special: Wills for couples without children and single people

05.11.2026, 17:00 - 18:30 Uhr
Online

A joint event organised by the Catholic charities. Dr Eva Kreienberg, a specialist solicitor in inheritance law based in Kaiserslautern, will provide you with free information on the basics of inheritance law, specifically for people without children.

Learn more
  1. Further dates