Man with a European flag over his shoulder during a rally
Dossier

Dossier

Europe goes for it

9 May 1950 is considered as the birthday of the European integration. On that day, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman launched a revolutionary plan for cooperation between nations, laying the foundation for today's European Union. Europeans in all corners of the continent are proving why cooperation is the key word for them in the face of the challenges of our time. We present these people in our dossier on the occasion of Europe Day.

Image-Reference

On our website, pictures taken, among others, by the following photographers/photo agencies are used:

Agentur photothek.net, Deutsche Messe Hannover, Andreas Arnold, Jörg Böthling, Dominik Butzmann, Carsten Costard, Susanne Esche, Charlie Fawell, Rendel Freude, Torsten George, Gaby Gerster, David Greedy, Peter Himsel, Barbara Högner, Frank Homann, Fred Hoogervorst, Steffen Jagenburg (BRANSCH EUROPE), Thomas Klewar, Studio Kohlmeier , Florian Kopp, Georg Lopata, Jürgen Lösel, Kirsten Milhahn, Rüdiger Nehmzow, Rolf Obertreis, Rubén Arnaldo Farina Ortiz, Holger Peters, Joachim Röttgers, Mika Schmidt, Bernhard Schurian, Jens Steingässer, Pietro Sutera, Uwe Tölle, Jan Zappner.

Fotolia.com: amandare, Yuri Arcurs, Kitch Bain, Ingo Bartussek, Sergio Donà, drizzd, Dmitry Ersler, eyewave, Zoltán Futó, Eric Gevaert, Fotolia XXV, Friedberg, goodluz, Dirk Hoffmann, imageteam, Christian Jung, Abdelhamid Kalai, Sergej Khakimullin, Vladimir Kolobov, krizz7, Kzenon, lumen-digital, marog-pixcells, Mindwalker, Miredi, mirpic, Nebuto, Tino Neitz, Christian Pedant, Franz Pfluegl, prognone, Gina Sanders, Henry Schmitt, spree berlin, SVLuma, Kheng Guan Toh, tom, Torbz, typomaniac, VRD, Joachim Wendler, Sreedhar Yedlapati.

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A boost from the USA

On June 5, 1947, in a speech he delivered at Harvard University, United States Secretary of State George C. Marshall announced a financial aid programme for Europe. This year we celebrate 75 years of historical legacy and future mission with the Marshall Plan.

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To the website "75 years of KfW"
photo collage: river in the rainforest (left) and children learning with computers (rights)

Breaking new ground

The transformation to a sustainable and resilient Germany has begun. KfW has been supporting the changes in the economy and society on behalf of the federal and state governments since 1948.

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To the interview about KfW’s climate action campaign
Two young men examine the products in a production hall

“SMEs play a decisive role”

KfW aims to provide SMEs with targeted support to help them achieve the climate targets. Which is new, is promotion not only for the use, but also the manufacturing of climate-friendly technologies. An interview about the climate action campaign.

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Solar power from the desert

Morocco is harnessing this potential to free itself from fossil fuels with concentrated solar power plants. This is exemplary from an emerging country, and a bold step that is supported by international donors like KfW.

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The three Crafting Future founders hold their product in their hands, smiling

"We want to be role models"

A start-up based in Lower Saxony, Germany is fighting the flood of waste. The company provides support for the catering industry in switching from disposable to reusable packaging and will soon launch its own range made from organic-based material.

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Underground power cable building site

The green electricity highway

The expansion of renewable energies plays an outstanding role for Germany in the energy transition and in achieving the national climate goals. By the end of the decade, their share is expected to have risen to up to 80 percent. KfW supports the sustainable transformation in the energy sector in a variety of ways.

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Two businessmen talking outside brick building at solar panels

"Our climate protection offensive is unique in Europe"

Alexander Klein, Vice President Climate and Environmental Corporate Finance, speaks to us about promotional opportunities for the SME sector, newly established programmes and less impervious car parks.

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Public transport for Indian metropolis

Metro pricks moped

65 percent of the traffic in Nagpur is motorised two-wheelers. In order to save CO₂ and improve air quality, the metropolis is now focusing on expanding its public transport network.

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To the article “A day for Europe”
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A day for Europe

From morning to evening KfW is active on our continent – in Irish meadows, beneath Serbian wind turbines, on German rooftops. Seven photographers visited seven of these sites.

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How to get the seas clean again

How does plastic waste actually get into the sea? And what can we do to get the oceans clean again? KfW has an idea – and acts! To learn more about this, watch our animated film.

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Fewer uncontrolled waste dumps

KfW is supporting controlled waste recycling and disposal in Albania with funds from the German Federal Government and EU grants. The uncontrolled waste dumps there have become a major problem for the country, neighbouring states and the Mediterranean.

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To the animated film
Graphic with texts saying, among other things, population growth and disposable production.

How to protect resources

A circular economy is considered as the solution to the global waste problem, it helps reduce resource consumption and carbon emissions. But what exactly is circular economy, and how can it be achieved? Our film gives some answers.

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Constructionn site of sluice in IJmuiden

Gateway to Amsterdam

The old sea locks of IJmuiden allow seagoing vessels to travel as far as Amsterdam. Yet the largest of the new generation of ships are unable to pass through. With the help of KfW IPEX-Bank, a gigantic new lock for ocean giants was built and ceremoniously opened by Dutch King Willem on 26 January 2022.

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Working European-style

A German start-up with a colourful identity is growing in the heart of Berlin. The business of consultant agency Comatch is based on an algorithm which proposes suitable consultants for companies seeking for advice.

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How Europe works

The Irish benefit from KfW’s expertise, a German start-up founder uses European funds for a learning portal, and the EU Commission is a strong partner in the fight for better conditions at the gateway to Europe – three field reports.

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Portrait of a man in a suit

Our channel to Brussels

Europe’s promotional banks are joining forces to overcome the major challenges of our time – a mission best accomplished with direct interactions on a day-to-day basis in the EU’s political and administrative capital. David Denzer-Speck runs the KfW office at the heart of the EU.

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To the article “A uniquely successful project”
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A uniquely successful project

Flows of goods vividly demonstrate how deeply Germany, a leader in exports, is interwoven with Europe through the domestic market. But the most important achievements of the EU are peace, freedom and solidarity. Six items outline the most important benefits Europeans experience due to the EU.

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To the interview
Daria Ciriaci, head of the European Affairs department at CDP

“Coordinated action is crucial”

COVID-19 in Europe – How Italy, Spain and Germany respond to the crisis. KfW Stories invited the heads of the European Affairs departments of the national promotional banks CDP, ICO and KfW to share their recent experience to counter the economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis. This is our interview with Daria Ciriaci from Italy.

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Antonio Bandres Cajal, Head of International Financing and EU Affairs

“In permanent dialogue with European peers”

COVID-19 in Europe – How Italy, Spain and Germany respond to the crisis. KfW Stories invited the heads of the European Affairs departments of the national promotional banks CDP, ICO and KfW to share their recent experience to counter the economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis. This is our interview with Antonio Bandres Cajal from Spanien.

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Jan Klasen

“Difficult times are European times”

COVID-19 in Europe – How Italy, Spain and Germany respond to the crisis. KfW Stories invited the heads of the European Affairs departments of the national promotional banks CDP, ICO and KfW to share their recent experience to counter the economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis. This is our interview with Jan Klasen from Germany.

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