DSW Annual Report 2025/26

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Dear readers, dear supporters of Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW),

At a time marked by multiple crises and ongoing conflicts around the world, development cooperation is facing increasingly turbulent conditions. Rising nationalism and shrinking public budgets are fostering a growing inward focus, while multilateral agreements and international organisations – including the United Nations – are increasingly being questioned. While some criticism may well be justified, it is often overlooked just how much progress has been achieved through decades of global cooperation – and how carelessly these achievements are now being jeopardised by drastic funding cuts. One striking example from the field of family planning is maternal and child health. The decline in maternal mortality by almost 40 per cent since the turn of the millennium stands among the greatest achievements in global health. Yet since 2024, maternal deaths have begun to rise again for the first time. You can read more about this development in this annual report.

There is, however, also reason for optimism. Difficult times often bring people closer together – and this seems to apply, at least in part, to Europe as well. Our advocacy team in Brussels reports that a stable majority has formed within the European Parliament in support of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). At the same time, our Berlin team has successfully re-established a strong All-Party Parliamentary Group for the new legislative period, bringing together members of parliament from across party lines who are not only interested in our issues, but actively committed to championing them.

The Foundation Alliance for Africa (SAfA) in Ethiopia and Tanzania demonstrates what can be achieved when private foundations combine their expertise and work together with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development to implement projects on the ground. Together, the Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung, the Kühne Foundation, the Rossmann Stiftung and DSW bring together training in agriculture, logistics, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). During the first phase alone, up to 67,000 young people in Ethiopia received training in either agriculture, logistics or SRHR.

Finally, we are delighted to welcome our new Chief Executive Officer, Sebastian Tripp, who has been leading DSW alongside our Director of Programmes, Angela Bähr, since spring 2026. As DSW celebrates its 35th anniversary, this is not only a moment to reflect on and celebrate what has been achieved, but also a call to safeguard and further strengthen these achievements – for a strong and sustainable future for young people in Africa.

Wishing you an insightful read,

Helmut Heinen

Chair of the DSW Board of Trustees

Focus Topic

Maternal mortality

Since 2000, global maternal mortality has fallen by around 40 per cent – one of the greatest public health achievements of recent decades. Today, women have better chances than ever before of surviving pregnancy and childbirth. Yet this significant progress is now under threat. The decision by Donald Trump and the US administration to dismantle the development agency USAID marks a severe setback. For the first time in two decades, maternal mortality rates are rising again.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines maternal mortality as the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth or within 42 days of the end of a pregnancy. According to a United Nations report, around 260,000 women worldwide died in 2023 from causes related to pregnancy or childbirth, with approximately 70 per cent of these deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. The leading causes include severe bleeding, infections such as sepsis, pre-eclampsia, complications during childbirth and unsafe abortions – all of which are largely preventable or treatable with access to adequate healthcare.

When a mother dies, her child’s life is also placed at grave risk. Newborns in particular are far more likely to die before the age of two if they lose their mother.

For many years, the United States was among the world’s largest donors to international development cooperation. In 2024, it provided around US$14 billion in global humanitarian and development assistance – but by 2025, this figure had fallen to just US$3.5 billion. These drastic cuts are having severe consequences for healthcare systems in many countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Governments are being forced to scale back or even shut down essential services for mothers, newborns and children. Hospitals are closing, medical staff are being laid off, and supply chains for life-saving medicines and medical equipment are breaking down. As a result, treatments for conditions such as severe bleeding, pre-eclampsia, malaria and HIV are becoming increasingly inaccessible. HIV in particular is a major contributor to maternal mortality, as reduced access to essential medication poses serious risks to both mothers and children. Effective treatments do exist – especially to prevent mother-to-child transmission – yet HIV infection rates are now rising rapidly again after years of significant decline.

A look at the recent past illustrates just how devastating even short-term disruptions to aid can be. During the COVID-19 pandemic, severe interruptions to supply chains and healthcare services had far-reaching consequences. In 2021 alone, an estimated 40,000 additional women died from pregnancy-related complications – both as a direct result of COVID-19 infections and because access to essential medical care was restricted. While no official figures yet confirm a renewed increase in maternal mortality, early estimates point to alarming developments. According to the “Impact Counter”, more than 260,000 additional adults and over 500,000 children died during the first year following the dismantling of USAID alone.

Current developments raise serious concerns that the hard-won progress made over recent decades in reducing maternal mortality could be undone. Access to high-quality, respectful healthcare is not only a fundamental human right, but also a key prerequisite for gender equality. Marginalised groups – including many pregnant women – are among those most severely affected by cuts to development and humanitarian funding. Yet the vast majority of these deaths could be prevented. The cuts to US aid funding represent a major setback. Yet rather than leading to resignation, they should serve as a call for even greater commitment from both national and international actors to strengthen and build resilient healthcare systems.

The dismantling of USAID has therefore triggered not only a humanitarian crisis, but also a crisis of gender equality. When women and girls are denied access to healthcare, safe abortion services, essential medicines and contraception, their right to bodily autonomy is also placed at risk. Access to contraception enables women and girls to make informed decisions about their lives and family planning. Without it, they are exposed to avoidable risks related to sexuality, pregnancy and childbirth.

The cuts to US aid funding represent a major setback. Yet rather than leading to resignation, they should serve as a call for even greater commitment from both national and international actors to strengthen and build resilient healthcare systems.

Focus Topic

Interview with DSW's new CEO, Sebastian Tripp

You come from the world of sport – more specifically sports marketing – and most recently served as Managing Director of the Panda Sponsorship Company, part of WWF. You are now taking on the leadership of DSW, which from the outside appears to be a fascinating shift in focus. How did this transition come about, and what is it that particularly excites you about your new role at DSW?

Yes, from the outside it may seem like quite a journey — from Champions League matches and Nordic World Ski Championships to a role as important as this one at DSW. But throughout my life, I have always been driven by curiosity for new topics and, above all, by an interest in people. After more than eight years working in nature conservation and environmental protection, DSW’s approach appealed to me not only because of the subject matter, but also because I felt genuinely honoured by the opportunity. At a time when civil society and international solidarity are under increasing pressure, issues as important as self-determination – especially for women and young people in East Africa, on a continent that is so vital to the global future – need every possible effort to ensure that this success story can continue. What makes DSW unique in many respects is the combination of hands-on project work on the ground and political advocacy. That is why I am particularly pleased to now be able to contribute my own experience and commitment to this work.

DSW is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. During this time, a great deal has been achieved for young people in Africa – especially for young women and girls. At the same time, however, we are currently witnessing a period of backlash in which many of these achievements are being fundamentally challenged, both politically and socially. How do you see DSW’s role evolving in the years ahead?

What is needed now is a strong, reliable and outspoken voice. Development cooperation in particular is currently under intense scrutiny, making it one of our most urgent tasks to forge new paths and build sustainable alliances across politics, civil society and the private sector. Only in this way can we prevent the achievements of recent decades from being undone and progress from being reversed. This is where I see a central role for DSW: to ensure that vital issues such as self-determination, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and access to voluntary family planning remain firmly on the agenda – and to continue advocating for them with conviction and persistence.

What is the first goal you have set yourself at DSW?

Listening. My foremost goal is to learn as much as possible – and as quickly as possible – from this outstanding team, from our partners and supporters, and from the tremendous expertise that has been built up over the past 35 years. Only by doing so can we set the right course for a successful future. I see DSW not only as a strong and influential voice, but also as a trusted partner and convenor – bringing together the right people, institutions and companies to maximise the impact of our work, both strategically and financially.

The challenges ahead are as diverse as they are exciting. What is your favourite way to recharge and regain the energy needed to tackle them?

I very much enjoy spending my weekends cheering on my two sons at their sporting activities, while also staying active myself through sport. It helps me keep both mentally and physically fit for everything that lies ahead.

About us

DSW is an international development organisation, which was founded in 1991 by the Hanover-based entrepreneurs Erhard Schreiber (†) and Dirk Rossmann. We focus on the needs and potential of the largest youth generation in history. Our objective is to empower young people, especially young women and girls, by creating demand for and access to youth-friendly health information and services including modern contraceptives, and by securing their right to bodily autonomy. We achieve this through a combination of youth-oriented programmes and gender transformative advocacy that also champions for investments in research and innovation to fight poverty-related diseases and to foster women’s health.

In addition to our headquarters in Hanover, DSW has offices in Ethiopia and Tanzania, as well as in Berlin and Brussels. As part of our localisation process, the former DSW offices in Uganda and Kenya have been transformed into the independent non-governmental organisations Action 4 Health Uganda and Youth for a Sustainable World.

Together with Young People

We work closely with young people to strengthen their understanding of sexual and reproductive health and gender equality. Our focus is on improving access to modern contraceptive methods and empowering them to make informed and self-determined decisions about their lives.

Anchoring the Right to Health

In collaboration with political decision-makers, we advocate for the implementation and financial support of youth-friendly health services. Our goal is to firmly embed these services within health policy frameworks and ensure their long-term sustainability.

Support at All Levels

By working closely with a diverse range of partners, we develop multisectoral solutions to challenges related to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Through this holistic approach, we aim to create lasting improvements in the lives of young people.

Driving Political Change

At the political level, we advocate for a strong commitment to global health. We call for increased investment in research and development, particularly in the fields of poverty-related and neglected diseases as well as women’s health, in order to create lasting and meaningful change.

Our Organisational Structure

Organisational Structure in Detail

Impact Monitoring

Keeping Our Goals in Sight

A team of experts from Ethiopia, Germany, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda continue to support the implementation and impact of DSW projects in 2025/26. Using participatory methods and the digital monitoring tool WebMo, we collect real-time project data and continually refine our processes. This enables us to stay close to the needs of young people – even in a rapidly changing environment – and to respond flexibly to new developments.

Here's what we've achieved:

97,535

participations by young people were recorded in peer-led SRHR awareness and knowledge-building activities.

153

outreach sessions were conducted in cooperation with selected health facilities providing SRHR services such as HIV/STI-Testing.

Over 150,000

youth-friendly SRHR services were provided.

89,035

youth were provided with modern contraceptives.

347

youth organisations received organisational capacity building support from DSW to be active in SRHR.

1,318

peer educators were trained.

324

youth champions were trained.

410

healthcare staff were trained to offer youth friendly SRHR services.

72

flying nurses were trained.

These achievements are only possible thanks to your support.

Donate here

Our Projects

Below, we present a selection of our projects.

You can find an overview of all of our projects here.

Foundation Alliance for Africa (SAfA)

Shaping the Future Together

Through an innovative, holistic project approach, the Foundation Alliance for Africa (SAfA) brings together the expertise of three foundations —the Hanns R. Neumann Foundation, the Kühne Foundation, and the Rossmann Foundation in partnership with DSW—in both Ethiopia and Tanzania across the thematic areas of agriculture (with a focus on coffee and employment), logistics and education, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Through the joint efforts of these three foundations in Ethiopia, the rapidly growing young population in the Amhara and Oromia regions gained more attractive prospects for their future, along with greater opportunities to support their communities. During the first phase of the SAfA initiative, up to 67,000 young people received training in either agriculture, logistics, or sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Teachers, together with other influential community and political leaders, received training on topics including HIV and STI prevention, family planning, menstrual health, safe abortion, and the prevention of gender-based violence and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). These individuals went on to serve as multipliers within their communities, alongside 1,250 peer educators — young people trained to share their knowledge with their peers. Through community events, school clubs, media campaigns and engaging edutainment activities, the initiative reached more than 50,000 community members. In addition, 10,500 married young women received tailored counselling through home visits.

Staff at local health facilities, youth clubs and student representative bodies received training in SRHR and the prevention of gender-based violence, while efforts were made to strengthen the provision of youth-friendly services. During the one-year bridging phase, the project also explored opportunities for collaboration with universities and examined how SRHR interventions could be linked with peacebuilding initiatives. The lessons learned from these pilot activities are informing the design of SAfA Phase II, in which these approaches will be further developed and scaled up.

“This initiative empowers me and other young women, many of them remain in school and some who had once dropped out resumed. Like most girls and women of my age, I benefited from the SAfA project and received practical training at DSW’s Youth Empowerment Center in making reusable sanitary pads. Many of us have already become the change champions to break the silence on menstrual health and promote SRH issues in our community. Not only that, I have uninterrupted access to dignity kits but also been able to produce them and make these commodities affordably available for many more young women and girls whose needs continued to grow."
Meseret Tariku, Walif Youth Empowerment Centre, Oromia

*SAfA is a partnership between, the Rossmann Foundation, in partnership with DSW, the Kühne Foundation (specialising in logistics and supply chain education), the Rossmann Foundation (committed to health and social well-being), and the Hanns R. Neumann Foundation (which focuses on supporting smallholder farming families in coffee-growing regions and empowering young people in Germany to improve their living conditions). By combining their expertise and resources, these three foundations work together to address complex challenges, with the aim of achieving the greatest possible impact. The projects are funded with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Direct-to-Consumer

Self-determination and Participation

“Taking part in the project helped me overcome my fears about contraception,” says Monicah Wairim (19, Njoro). “The youth-friendly services made it easier for me to ask questions openly and I now fully understand the importance of reproductive health.” The Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) project was a two-year pilot initiative implemented by Youth for a Sustainable World (YSW) in partnership with the Nakuru County Department of Health and with support from DSW. The project aimed to improve access for young people aged 18 to 24 to modern contraceptive methods, age-appropriate counselling and healthcare services, thereby enabling them to make informed and autonomous decisions about family planning.

The D2C project adopted a holistic approach that combined a range of interventions, including community-based activities, the deployment of healthcare professionals through the Flying Nurses programme, peer education led by young people, and targeted health counselling provided by Community Health Promoters (CHPs). A key component of the initiative was the Youth Empowerment Centre (YEC) in Njoro. The centre focuses on developing young leaders by equipping them with essential skills, strengthening their self-confidence, enhancing their decision-making abilities, and empowering them to advocate for their rights. At the same time, the centre has expanded access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services and created a safe and supportive space where young people feel empowered, informed and encouraged to shape their own futures.

The results speak for themselves: By December 2025, nearly 40,000 people in the Njoro and Gilgil sub-counties had accessed modern contraceptive services through the project. In close collaboration with the project, a further 12,100 services were provided, including HIV tests and pregnancy tests. The second phase of the D2C project, which is due to start in 2026, is currently being planned.

“Being part of this project has shaped me into a more informed and confident YEC leader. I have gained deeper knowledge about contraceptives, educated my peers on their importance, and strengthened my ability to engage with others and manage frustration effectively in team settings.”
Nyambura Mbaria, YEC Leader in Njoro

Photos: © Youth for a Sustainable World (YSW)

Photos: © Youth for a Sustainable World (YSW)

Youth for Health

Giving Young People a Strong Voice

Reaching girls and young women from the poorest and most marginalised communities — including young people with disabilities — in rural and hard-to-reach areas was a key focus of Youth for Health (Y4H). Funded by the European Union, this programme was implemented by MSI Reproductive Choices in consortium with DSW and other partners across Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zambia. The programme aimed to expand access to life-changing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services, with a particular focus on ensuring that girls and young women could exercise their rights, make informed choices, and access the care and support they need.

Within East Africa, DSW’s contribution focused primarily on advocacy, with the aim of creating an enabling policy environment for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). This included advocating for improved access to contraceptives and other essential health products, as well as supporting the mobilisation of the financial resources needed to strengthen health budgets at district level.

In Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Ghana, 47 young people and representatives of partner organisations were trained in core advocacy skills. Equipped with this knowledge, they engaged in SRHR advocacy at various levels throughout the project, influencing policy discussions and decision-making processes from the district level through to the East African Community (EAC).

“Through Y4H, our capacity in advocacy was strengthened,” says Saa Salim from Kwale County on Kenya’s coast. “We now understand the government planning and budgeting process, learnt how to engage in public participation forums and to submit memos. It also increased our confidence in how to speak in meetings and engage decision makers.”

Equipped with these new skills, Salim went on to represent her peers at the East African Community (EAC) Youth Policy Forum in Arusha, Tanzania. “Standing in Arusha, I carried the hopes of young women in Msambweni — so that regional laws reflect our realities.”

Significant progress was also made at the regional level, including the adoption of the Arusha Youth Joint Communiqué and commitments related to the East African Community (EAC) Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Bill. As part of these commitments, EAC member states agreed to promote the integration of mental health into primary healthcare and to establish parliamentary youth forums, creating new opportunities for meaningful youth engagement in decision-making processes.

“For me this was beyond personal achievement. It was a testament of the potential of young people when supported to champion for their rights. Even youth from marginalised communities like myself can make contributions and influence regional policy. I got an opportunity to make contributions and shape decisions.”
Moses Kibet, co-founder of the youth initiative VYBE Africa, a youth group based in West Pokot

MARE Pads

A Double Benefit

Access to affordable and safe menstrual hygiene products remains a major challenge, particularly in rural areas of Uganda. Lacking suitable alternatives, many girls resort to inappropriate materials, exposing themselves to health risks and often missing school as a result. Launched in 2025 in Mityana District, the Menstrual Hygiene Hub project is making an important contribution to improving menstrual health while placing young women at the centre of the solution.

Preparations for this project, initiated jointly by DSW and its partner organisation Action for Health Uganda (A4HU). During this period, the young people themselves built a small production facility, which now manufactures high-quality reusable sanitary pads under the “MARE Pads” brand. To support this effort, a youth-led production team was established at the Malangala Youth Empowerment Centre. Following an intensive training programme that combined both theoretical and practical components, the initiative evolved into an operational local social enterprise.

The project not only improves access to menstrual hygiene products but also strengthens girls’ health, self-confidence and educational opportunities. By enabling them to manage their menstruation safely and with dignity, it helps them remain engaged in their education and participate fully in school life. At the same time, the initiative creates new economic opportunities for the young people involved, most of whom are young women and mothers. They acquire practical skills in production, organisation and marketing while taking on responsibility within the Hub. Building on these successes, the range of products has already been expanded. In addition to reusable sanitary pads, the team now produces school bags for girls, designed to carry both books and sanitary products discreetly, as well as soap for personal hygiene. These activities have also created additional sources of income. To further strengthen the enterprise, the young women receive training in communications, marketing and market development, enabling them to expand the reach of their products and ensure the long-term sustainability of the social enterprise.

The Malangala Menstrual Hygiene Hub demonstrates how targeted support, skills development and trust in young people can enable sustainable, community-led solutions. By empowering young women to take an active role in addressing menstrual health challenges, the initiative is generating lasting benefits for health, education and economic development.

Photos: © A4HU

Flying Nurses

The Vision of the BEEs Pilot Project in Uganda

Family planning is a cornerstone of reproductive health and gender equality. While Uganda has made significant progress in recent decades—with the proportion of married women using contraceptives increasing from 14 per cent in 2000 to 38 per cent today—substantial gaps in access and service provision remain. Adolescents and young people, particularly those living in rural areas, continue to face significant barriers to accessing information, counselling and services related to family planning.

The scale of the challenge is reflected in the figures: 60 per cent of girls aged 15–19 lack access to contraceptives or adequate reproductive health information and services. The national adolescent pregnancy rate stands at 25 per cent, rising to 27 per cent in rural areas. Against this backdrop, Action for Health Uganda (A4HU) within the TeamUp Uganda Program is implementing an innovative approach since mid-2024: the BEEs Family Planning Social Marketing Pilot Project. The initiative was designed to bring family planning information and services closer to communities and to address persistent barriers faced by young people, particularly adolescent girls and young women.

At its core, the initiative is a sustainable social enterprise model that seeks to remove barriers to access and expand the availability of affordable, high-quality and youth-friendly family planning products, services and information for young people.

How does the model work? In partnership with the local authorities in Mityana District, 17 “Flying Nurses”—also known as BEEs—were trained and equipped to serve as community-based health providers. They travel to remote and underserved areas, delivering family planning information and services directly to young people in rural communities and ensuring that support reaches those who are often left behind by conventional healthcare systems.

Reaching Young People with Information and Services

The BEEs model demonstrates considerable success in engaging young people and increasing access to family planning information and services. Through individual counselling, community-based information sessions, youth group meetings and outreach activities organised by TeamUp Uganda, 5,561 young people received vital information on modern contraception and informed family planning choices.

A key factor behind the project’s success has been its integrated service delivery approach. In addition to family planning information and contraceptive services, young people are offered complementary services such as HIV counselling and testing, STI screening, and pregnancy testing. By providing a broader package of sexual and reproductive health services, the project helped reduce barriers to access and significantly increased demand for family planning services.

The impact has been clearly measurable: 90 per cent of users reported significantly improved access to services, which are now typically available within a five-kilometre radius of their homes. Almost all clients were able to access their preferred contraceptive method and considered the services affordable. Notably, 67 per cent of clients were first-time users of family planning services—a significant step towards greater reproductive autonomy, informed decision-making and long-term health and well-being.

Beyond its immediate health outcomes, the project is helping to build sustainable local capacity. The participating healthcare professionals are evolving into independent providers, broadening their service portfolios and creating additional income-generating opportunities. As a result, the initiative is establishing a sustainable social enterprise model that addresses critical service gaps while strengthening community-based healthcare provision for the long term.

The BEEs model shows how targeted investment can translate into tangible change. By improving access to health services, reducing inequalities and creating sustainable opportunities for young people, it is helping to build a more equitable future for rural communities across Uganda.

Advocacy

Berlin

In Berlin, DSW looks back on an intensive and eventful year of political advocacy. With great commitment, the advocacy team actively brought key issues such as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality and global health into political debates, while consistently fostering open dialogue with parliament, civil society and international partner organisations.

A major milestone was the relaunch of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Population and Development for the 21st legislative period. Established on DSW’s initiative in 2003, this cross-party body brings together members of the German Bundestag to keep issues such as SRHR, global health, gender equality and sustainable development firmly on the political agenda. Sascha van Beek (CDU) was elected as the new chair. Key topics addressed by the Advisory Board included climate and health, as well as HIV and AIDS.

A particular highlight was the visit of the DSW Youth Champions from East Africa, who shared their perspectives with the APPG in October. With remarkable dedication and conviction, they advocate in their home countries for the health and rights of young people, as well as for greater political participation. Their exchange in Berlin provided an inspiring impulse for the continued work of everyone involved.

The Berlin team also maintained a strong presence at both national and international events. At a time of growing global challenges, DSW and its partners sent a powerful signal in support of international dialogue and cooperation through the “International Dialogue on Population and Sustainable Development”. Complementing this, the women.health.research event series placed the importance of gender-responsive health research centre stage. At the World Health Summit, DSW organised a session on the so-called Gender Health Gap, bringing together representatives from politics, academia and international organisations to discuss structural inequalities in health research. In addition, DSW joined the international consortium Walking the Talk, which advocates for increased funding for gender equality and works to strengthen the rights of women, girls and the LGBTIQ+ community worldwide.

Whether through parliamentary dialogue, international conferences or exchanges with young people, DSW’s Berlin advocacy team remains firmly committed to advancing and strengthening global health, gender equality and SRHR within political processes.

Photos: © DSW

Advocacy

Brussels

The year 2025 brought several positive developments at the EU level. Despite a more right-leaning European Parliament, Members of Parliament continued to build progressive majorities in support of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Ahead of the launch of the new EU Gender Equality Strategy, the European Parliament condemned member states with highly restrictive abortion laws, describing the resulting consequences for women as violations of human rights and a form of gender-based violence.

A key achievement in the past year was the adoption of the Council conclusions on “advancing mutually beneficial partnerships through better financing, gender equality, global health, and trade,” which closely align with DSW’s policy demands. The same applies to the long-awaited new Gender Equality Strategy, finally published by the European Commission in March 2026, which places SRHR and women’s health at its core. The strategy also acknowledges the underfunding of the development of male contraceptives - an area in which DSW keeps expanding its advocacy work.

Nevertheless, we are also facing an increasingly challenging political and fiscal environment at the EU level. Gender equality, human rights and science are increasingly being called into question, while at the same time the space for civil society participation in political decision-making is shrinking. The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health, under the leadership of the Hungarian Commissioner Várhelyi, ordered the termination of funding for health-related non-governmental organisations, and the legislative proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034) clearly prioritise competitiveness and “EU preference” over human-centred sustainable development. Equally concerning is the lack of a gender perspective in several health policy measures introduced in 2025, as well as the increasingly widespread reframing of SRHR as maternal and child health, thereby pushing the human rights dimension into the background.

At the same time, the proposal for the EU’s future “Global Europe” instrument foresees an increased budget for development cooperation, and the ongoing negotiations appear quite promising with regard to gender equality and SRHR. In addition, the Commission’s recent announcement of the Global Health Resilience Initiative suggests that greater funding for global health could once again be mobilised during the remaining two years of the current financial framework. Meanwhile, global cuts to official development assistance are leading to a stronger focus on innovative financing approaches.

Thanks to the recognised expertise of its Brussels advocacy team, DSW was once again appointed to the HERA Civil Society Advisory Forum and admitted to the EDCTP stakeholder group. In addition, our nomination as the official co-secretariat of the European Parliament Interest Group “MEPs for Women’s Health” strengthens our position to contribute to closing the gender health gap.

Promoting research into new contraceptive methods for people of all genders remains a key priority. In March, we brought our campaign on innovation in male contraception to the European Parliament. The giant condom that we installed under the banner 'Democracy in Action' proved to be an effective conversation starter, generating both political discussion and media attention.

Our Memberships

Because Health
CONCORD
Countdown 2030 Europe
Deutsches Netzwerk gegen vernachlässigte Tropenkrankheiten
EDCTP Stakeholders Group
EPC
GENDRO
German Health Alliance (GHA)
Global Fund Advocates Network

Global Health Hub Germany
HERA Civil Society Forum
Population and Sustainability Network
Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition
ScienceBusiness
Stop-TB Forum
The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
Verband Entwicklungspolitik und Humanitäre Hilfe deutscher Nichtregierungsorganisationen (VENRO)
Walking the Talk

Communications

Social media and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence can sometimes create the impression that communication today happens almost entirely in the digital sphere - and indeed, a substantial part of our public outreach takes place online. Yet if there were ever any doubt that face-to-face communication, physical presence and genuine human interaction still possess enormous communicative and media power, our seven-metre-tall giant condom has certainly dispelled it over the past months.

Last autumn, we brought it to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin as part of a joint campaign with Americans for Contraception protesting the US government’s planned destruction of contraceptives. Our American partners, meanwhile, arrived with a six-metre-tall intrauterine device (IUD). This striking pairing not only featured in countless photographs taken by tourists from around the world but also attracted significant coverage in major German media outlets and generated 14,000 views on TikTok alone.

An equally successful event took place in Brussels in spring 2026, when we positioned the giant condom in front of the European Parliament to launch our campaign calling for greater investment in research into male contraceptives. While the Americans and their giant IUD were absent this time, we embraced local tradition by serving freshly baked waffles shaped to match the giant condom - an eye-catching touch that encouraged people to stop, stay and engage in conversation. Once again, the media response was outstanding, generating more than 300 media mentions.

The giant condom has also become something of a hallmark of our stand at the annual Discovery Day in Hanover, where it not only attracts attention to our work, but occasionally also opens the door to moments of sexuality education within German families.

Meeting people “in real life” and speaking with them face to face remains at the heart of good journalism. In 2025, our Media Award once again enabled journalists to travel to sub-Saharan Africa to research and report on issues related to sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and population dynamics.

At the award ceremony in Berlin, the spotlight was not only on the prize winners themselves, but also on the increasingly difficult conditions under which they work. Expertly moderated by Ninia LaGrande, the discussion featured Anne Ackermann, Veronica Frenzel, Rebecca Stegmann, Jan Rübel, Lara Voelter and Clara Hellner, who spoke about growing restrictions on the ground, often inadequate support, and not least the shrinking financial resources available in their home newsrooms.

This makes initiatives such as DSW’s Media Award, along with persistent communications work - both on the streets and online - more important than ever to ensure that these issues remain firmly on both the social and political agenda.

Fundraising

Guiding Donors Through the Legacy Landscape: Bequests, Endowments and Foundation Funds

Football, the weather, your will? Admittedly, planning your estate is not exactly the number one topic for small talk. Even so, it can be both reassuring and helpful to think about the end of one’s life at an early stage. Those who organise their estate in good time provide clarity for their loved ones and ensure that their personal values live on. They also have the opportunity to make a positive difference beyond their own lifetime, for example by supporting young people in East Africa through our organisation.

There are many different ways to make a lasting contribution: by including DSW in your will, making an endowment donation, or establishing a foundation fund during your lifetime. DSW is available to provide support in finding the form of engagement that best suits your wishes and values. You can also find all the important information on our website.

In addition, our website now offers a free will generator (in German): Erblotse. This digital tool guides users through all questions relating to inheritance and estate planning until they have a completed will in hand. As a DSW supporter, you can use the will generator free of charge to create a legally sound will step by step and make individual arrangements for your estate.

By choosing to include DSW in your will, you can help give young people in East Africa the chance to lead healthy, self-determined lives. Thoughtful estate planning allows you to make a lasting difference beyond your own lifetime and to help shape a brighter future for the next generation. For this, we extend our heartfelt thanks already today.

Your contact person:
Sina Rabe
Head of Fundraising Unit
Telephone: (0511) 9 43 73 15
Email: sina.rabe@dsw.org

In 2025, in addition to private donations, DSW also received financial support from other donors.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the following foundations and associations:*

Arthur Braun-Stiftung
Familie Braun-Stiftung
Frauengemeinschaft Neuching e. V.
Gates Foundation
Gerhard und Paul-Hermann Bauder-Stiftung
Hamasil-Stiftung
Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (Consortium Partner)
HIVOS
Ingeborg Schulze-Stiftung
IPPF EN
Josef und Therese Arens Stiftung
Lothar-und-Ursula-Beyer-Stiftung
Male Contraception Initiative (MCI)
Merck Family Foundation durch Karl Kübel Stiftung für Kind und Familie
Niedersächsische Bingo-Umweltstiftung
Renate Dommasch-Stiftung
Siemens Stiftung (Consortium Partner)
Stiftung Bapke – Eva Bak und Wolf-Dieter Hapke
Stiftung van Meeteren
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Waterloo Foundation
Werner und Karin Schneider-Stiftung

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the following public donors

Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)
KfW Entwicklungsbank
UN-Bevölkerungsfonds (UNFPA)

We would like to thank the following companies*

Bayer AG
Dirk Rossmann GmbH
FEIG ELECTRONIC GmbH
Holzwerke van Roje GmbH + Co KG
KAOS INVEST GmbH
MSI Reproductive Choices
Rossini Gastronomie GmbH
SAfA gGmbH
Zahnarztpraxis Dr. Andreas Hutter

Our special thanks go to our founders and benefactors Dirk Roßmann, Erhard Schreiber (†) and our co-founder Christian Schrom.
We would also like to express our gratitude to Dr. Gudrun Eger-Harsch and Prof. Ulrich Harsch, Herman-Ludwig Kruckenfellner, and Dr. Frank Dröscher, all of whom have established foundation funds under the umbrella of DSW.

We also remember with gratitude our long-standing companions Marlene v. Reichenbach, Alfred Biolek, as well as Christa and Hans-Joachim Tegtmeier.

*Listed are foundations and associations that contributed more than €1,000 in 2025, as well as companies that donated more than €5,000.

DSW raises donations through direct mail campaigns, newsletters, posters, advertisements, flyers, our website, social media, court-fine allocations, legacy giving, and events such as the Kirchentag and the Entdeckertag.

Finance

In 2025, DSW recorded a total income of €9,44 million. A substantial proportion of this — 22 per cent — came from donations, legacies and endowment contributions, while the remainder was provided by public donors and partner organisations. Total expenditure for the year amounted to €9,50 million. Of this, 84.6 per cent was invested directly in our project work, 10.1 per cent covered administrative costs, and 5.3 per cent was allocated to fundraising and public relations activities. We always aim to maximise the impact of our projects and ensure that every euro is used as effectively and responsibly as possible. We are committed to ensuring that your support creates lasting change.

DSW Income
	2025		2024
Income from cash donations	1,914,970.69 €	20.3%	2,352,928.78 €	20.8%
Income from bequests (inheritances)	106,300.00 €	1.1%	9,500.00 €	0.1%
Income from endowments	53,550.00 €	0.6%	375,100.00 €	3.3%
Income from monetary penalties (fines)	1,100.00 €	0.0%	0,00 €	0.0%
Fundraising (subtotal)	2,075,920.69 €	22.0%	2,737,528.78 €	24.2%
Grants from public authorities	1,642,223.35 €	17.4%	2,812,906.84 €	24.9%
Grants from other organizations*	3,112,492.56 €	33.0%	6,379,919.55 €	56.4%
Other income**	2,613,572.97 €	27.6%	-615,637.47 €	-5.4%
Total income	9,444,209.57 €	100.0%	11,314,717.70 €	100.0%
*This also includes funding from public authorities that was initially paid to a DSW partner organisation acting as the primary recipient.
** Due to the allocation of donations and grants received in the previous year but not yet spent (Income Statement Item 2), and the inflow of donations and grants received during the financial year that have not yet been used (Income Statement Item 3), the resulting difference compared with the previous year is reflected here.

DSW Expenditure
	2025		2024
Program Expenditures ***
- Project funding	5,847,979.82 €	61.6%	8,065,879.99 €	70.8%
- Project support	1,353,285.12 €	14.2%	1,321,593.19 €	11.6%
- Campaigns, education and awareness-raising activities	840,226.68 €	8.8%	843,100.12 €	7.4%
Subtotal	8,041,491.62 €	84.6%	10,230,573.30 €	89.8%
Fundraising, Public Relations and Administrative Expenses
- General public relations and advertising	501,018.53 €	5.3%	505,210.39 €	4,4%
- Administrative expenses	954,977.32 €	10.1%	655,388.20 €	5,8%
Subtotal	1,455,995.85 €	15.4%	1,160,598.59 €	10,2%
Total Expenditure ****	9,497,487.47 €	100.0%	11,391,171.89 €	100,0%
*** Program expenditures broken down by country: Belgium: €805,465.56, Ethiopia: €1,448,899.62, Germany: €2,380,986.52, Kenya: €413,706.73, Tanzania: €1,194,261.04, Uganda: €1,798,172.15
** The total expenditures do not include the financial result of €53,277.90 (previous year: €76,454.19**).

Click here for the full 2025 financial report (in German)

Impressum

Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW) is an international development organisation, which focuses on the needs and potential of the largest youth generation in history. Our objective is to empower young people, especially young women and girls, by creating demand for and access to youth-friendly health information and services including modern contraceptives, and by securing their right to bodily autonomy. With offices in Europe and East Africa, we achieve this through a combination of youth-oriented programmes and gender transformative advocacy that also champions for investments in research and innovation to fight poverty-related diseases and to foster women’s health.

Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW)
Loebensteinstr. 25 | 30175 Hannover
Tel.: +49 511 94373-0 | hannover@dsw.org

DSW Berlin Liaison Office
Torstr. 49 | 10119 Berlin
Tel.: +49 30 24000690 | berlin@dsw.org

DSW Brussels Liaison Office
Avenue des Arts 43 | 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 50490-60 | brussels@dsw.org

Published by: Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW)
Editorial Team: Nicole Langenbach, Leigh-Ann McSweeney, Celina Wild, Freya Wilhelmi
Design: Leigh-Ann McSweeney
Photo Credits: ©Brian Otieno / DSW, ©Youth for a Sustainable World (YSW), ©Action for Health Uganda (A4HU), ©DSW, © Jörg Farys / Die Projektoren, ©Delia Woehlert

Donation Account
Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW)
IBAN: DE56 2504 0066 0383 8380 00
BIC: COBADEFFXXX

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