Welcome to KfW Stories, the digital magazine of KfW! We write about people inventing, building their own home or starting their own business & much more!

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Underground power cable building site

Resilience and sovereignty

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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seed bank Norway

Biodiversity

A vault for seeds

Crop Trust is helping to save valuable seeds from all over the world in Svalbard, Norway. The seeds are stored in an underground chamber at a temperature of minus 18 degrees.This is a vital project for feeding humanity in times of advancing climate change.

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Christiane Laibach Member of the Board of Managing Directors of KfW in the Palm House of the Palmengarten

Climate action

“The coming years are crucial”

Interview with Christiane Laibach, KfW Executive Board member, on the occasion of the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai (COP28) on climate change and biodiversity, and their importance for KfW Development Bank.

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Climate action

Forests as Saviour

21 March "International Day of Forests": The world's forests store billions of tons of CO2 per year and are the cradle of biodiversity: protecting forests therefore plays a key role in climate protection.

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Patrick Lipke and his team from Resourcify

Digitalisation

Going round in circles

The centre of Hamburg is home to the future of waste management. The digital platform of the start-up Resourcify helps companies generate real value from waste.

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Katharina Herrmann

Domestic Promotion

“The housing market must be made more sustainable”

KfW Executive Board Member for domestic promotional business Katharina Herrmann on rising construction interest rates, climate-friendly construction promotion and the housing sector of the future.

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A young woman sits on a chair at a computer in a seminar room

Dossier

Digitalisation & Innovation

Innovations are the lubricant for progress in the economy and society. In our dossier "Digitalisation and Innovation", we introduce people and projects whose ideas will change our lives.

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To the dossier energy security
Workers on a submarine cable laying vessel

Dossier

Resilience & Sovereignty

The security of energy supply and the increased use of climate-friendly energies are among the central tasks for Germany in the future. In our dossier "Resiliencec & Sovereignty" we present various projects and companies that are already making a contribution to this today.

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Start-up

Dossier

KfW Capital

KfW Capital has been active in the venture capital market for five years, successfully investing in VC funds to improve financing conditions for young technology companies. On the occasion of the anniversary, you will find current interviews, including from the two Federal Ministers Robert Habeck and Christian Lindner - and much more!

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Dossier

Plastic waste

In our dossier we present the Clean Oceans Initiative, which was co-founded by KfW five years ago, as well as other innovative approaches for avoiding or recycling plastic waste.

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Landscape of Amazonas rainforest

Dossier

Environmental protection

All over the world, people are working to protect our environment and conserve resources. On the occasion of the World Environment Day on 5 June, KfW Stories presents projects in the areas of climate protection, energy efficiency, renewable energies, natural resources and nature conservation.

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Laptop and smartphone with Rebuy website open

Start-ups

"We are always on the lookout for goods"

Rebuy Managing Director Philipp Gattner talks about carefully tested mobile phones, the great importance of sustainability and the needs of customers.

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Dossier

Our oceans

On the occasion of the "World Oceans Day" on 8 June we present in this dossier people that devote themselves to the preservation of the oceans.

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Dossier

Biodiversity

The habitats of plants and animals are becoming smaller and smaller - with serious consequences. Numerous KfW projects aim to protect biological diversity and overcome the biodiversity crisis. We report on this in our dossier on the occasion of International Biodiversity Day on 22 May.

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Coach gives children online lessons on the computer

Dossier

TUMO Center in Berlin

Entrepreneurial couple Sam and Silva Simonian wanted to promote digital education for young people in Armenia. The concept is now expanding; there are TUMO Centers in Paris and Beirut as well – and thanks to the KfW's initiative, in Berlin and soon also in Mannheim, Essen and Frankfurt.

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

75 years of KfW

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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The CEO of KfW speaks during a panel discussion at COP 28 in Sharm-el-Sheikh

Social cohesion

IDFC at COP28

This year’s IDFC Annual meeting took place in the context of COP28 at Dubai (VAE).

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Read the interview with Sigrid Nikutta and Stefan Wintels
portrait of Sigrid Nikutta and Stefan Wintels

Climate action

“A completely new dynamic”

DB Cargo CEO Sigrid Nikutta and KfW CEO Stefan Wintels on the decade of decision, the transformation to carbon neutrality and the competition for the best employees.

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To the article "Fast track to independence"
A large Liquid Natural Gas tanker is sailing on the sea.

Energy security

Fast track to independence

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has played a key role in Germany’s energy security since the Ukraine War. In the medium term, the import could replace Russian pipeline gas. On behalf of the German Federal Government, KfW is now participating in the construction of Germany’s first LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel.

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To the article "Supply of LNG"
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Energy security

Supply of LNG

This year, Germany is facing its biggest challenge yet in terms of energy policy: within just a few months, previous fundamental decisions had to be revised and new ones made in order to ensure the country's energy security in the present and also in the future.

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Read the interview with Heliatek-CEO Guido van Tartwijk
Stefan Wintels and Robert Habeck

Energy security

“A completely new dynamic”

Top-level conversation: Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck and KfW CEO Stefan Wintels in an interview about the consequences of the Ukraine war, new priorities and KfW’s role in the German Federal Government’s strategy.

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Christiane Laibach Member of the Board of Managing Directors of KfW in the Palm House of the Palmengarten

Climate action

“The coming years are crucial”

Interview with Christiane Laibach, KfW Executive Board member, on the occasion of the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai (COP28) on climate change and biodiversity, and their importance for KfW Development Bank.

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Interview with Sylvie Goulard about the risks of of biodiversity loss for economies
Portrait of Sylvie Goulard

Biodiversity

„We need personalities and a narrative“

The loss of biodiversity is one of the most serious challenges the world is facing right now. Sylvie Goulard, a former Minister and Deputy Governor of the Banque de France, talks about the risks of nature deterioration for economies and why green bonds are not enough to solve the crisis.

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Read article about start-up Enpal
A construction worker on the roof of a house laying a solar panel

KfW Entrepreneurs' Award

Green, affordable, independent. And cool.”

Solar company Enpal has just become Berlin’s state winner in the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award. Enpal CEO Mario Kohle on fossil fuel autocrats, the benefits of borrowed solar – and Enpal investor Leonardo DiCaprio.

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To the interview
Malachite sunbird in the Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia

Environment

Legacy Landscape Fund

Director Stefanie Lang talks about her fund and the biodiversity crisis.

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Minimising birth-related risks in Malawi

Dossier

Health

On the occasion of World Health Day and the 75th anniversary of the WHO on 7 April, we present successful projects at home and abroad in our dossier.

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Actor Bjarne Mädel sits on the African E-Bike in front of the Alster

Climate action

Powered by the sun

Jürgen Perschon from Hamburg and actor Bjarne Mädel are helping the transition to sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility in Africa. They talk to KfW Stories about their motivation, the assistance they are receiving from KfW subsidiary DEG and about the AfricroozE, the bicycle that can save lives.

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Read the article about the Arcadis Ost 1 offshore wind farm
Offshore wind farm

Energy security

The home of wind

The German government is increasingly focusing on offshore wind power as it looks to expand the use of renewable energy sources. The Arcadis Ost 1 wind farm paves the way for further projects.

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Read the interview with Heliatek-CEO Guido van Tartwijk
Two man attaching solarfilms onto a wall

Renewable energies

"On virtually any surface"

Heliatek CEO Guido van Tartwijk on his organic solar films, the solar market of the future and the most important decision in the company's history.

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To the dossier demographics
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Dossier

Demographics

Every day, the number of people on earth increases by about a quarter of a million. At the same time, the population in Germany and other industrialised countries is shrinking. On the occasion of World Population Day on 11 July, our dossier shows the range of issues arising from demographic change.

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Interview with the UNHCR representative in Berlin, Katharina Lumpp
Group of refugees with luggage walking on a dirt road.

Social cohesion

"The Ukrainian situation is unprecedented"

The number of refugees is at its highest level since the Second World War. Ukraine accounts for a large part of this. KfW Stories talks to the UNHCR representative in Berlin, Katharina Lumpp, about how refugees are doing and why we should continue to think about other parts of the world.

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Impact

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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A group of e-cyclists in a street

Climate action

Solar-powered mobility

The first 100 AfricroozE e-bikes are now on the roads in Uganda. The project, financed by KfW subsidiary DEG, contributes to the expansion of green mobility in Africa.

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e-zwich cash card and paper money

Series Technologies of the Future

Digitilisation in Africa

Digitalisation holds huge opportunities for Africa. In our series ”Technologies of the Future“, we present digital services and systems that are already improving the lives of millions of people on the continent.

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Full story
Constructionn site of sluice in IJmuiden

Infrastructure

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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three women and one man standing between tall plants

Nature conservation

“We invest to make an impact”

Stephanie Lindemann-Kohrs, KfW expert on impact investments, explains how KfW is providing incentives to attract additional private investors to finance projects in developing countries and emerging economies.

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weLOG founder Manuel Rupp stands leaning against a storage shelf

Start-ups

Logistics at its best

Just a few clicks is all it takes to order online and get next-day delivery – so simple for customers but, for suppliers, a challenge of complex processes. weLOG GmbH offers sophisticated solutions that extend far beyond conventional logistics. The company was awarded the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award as the state winner in Hesse, along with the “people’s choice” award.

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child playing at a garbage-filled lake

Start-ups

Wave upon wave

More than eleven million tonnes of plastic make their way into our oceans every year and a large proportion of this waste is carried there by rivers. The Aachen based start-up Everwave has developed technology that can be used to help collect this waste. The company was honoured with the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award for its efforts.

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Chocolate bars

Start-ups

The climate chocolate

'the nu company' is conquering the chocolate market with new alternatives. The company received the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award for its concept, which aims to change not only an industry but also the world.

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Building with flat roof. On the wooden wall it says

Innovation

The world's greenest battery

Northvolt wants to become Europe's leading battery manufacturer - with the help of KfW IPEX-Bank, which is co-financing the expansion of its cell production. On 25 March 2024, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck and KfW CEO Stefan Wintels broke ground for the new GigaFactory in Heide/Schleswig-Holstein.

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To the dossier technologies of the future
Robot and man

Dossier

Technologies of the future

The future viability of Germany as a business location depends not least on innovation in the most important fields of technology. With venture and equity capital, KfW and its subsidiary KfW Capital help to advance young and innovative companies with their ideas and visions.

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Coach gives children online lessons on the computer

Dossier

TUMO Center in Berlin

Entrepreneurial couple Sam and Silva Simonian wanted to promote digital education for young people in Armenia. The concept is now expanding; there are TUMO Centers in Paris and Beirut as well – and thanks to the KfW's initiative, in Berlin and soon also in Mannheim, Essen and Frankfurt.

Read more

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Christiane Laibach Member of the Board of Managing Directors of KfW in the Palm House of the Palmengarten

Climate action

“The coming years are crucial”

Interview with Christiane Laibach, KfW Executive Board member, on the occasion of the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai (COP28) on climate change and biodiversity, and their importance for KfW Development Bank.

Read article

To the interview
Verena Pausder and Melanie Kehr are sitting in front of their notebooks

Technologies of the future

Interview on the future

A conversation with two women who represent the future: start-up founder and author, Verena Pausder, and Melanie Kehr, Member of the Executive Board of KfW Group responsible for Information Technology and Transaction Management, discuss how innovation is being promoted in Germany, the power of crises – and the qualities people will need to have in a digital future.

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To the interview
Malachite sunbird in the Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia

Environment

Legacy Landscape Fund

Director Stefanie Lang talks about her fund and the biodiversity crisis.

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A woman holds an ampoule of Hepcludex, powder for injection preparation in her hand

Health

The billion-euro drug

MYR is a particularly special German success story In just under ten years, the biotech company from Bad Homburg has gone from zero to 1 billion euros with just one drug. How is that possible?

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Children at a water tap in the township Flamingo Heights

Dossier

Water

Access to clean water is a universally recognised human right. But there are growing signs around the world that clean drinking water is becoming increasingly scarce. On the occasion of World Water Day on 22 March, we report on this in our dossier and also show other stories about water.

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Verena Pausder and Melanie Kehr are sitting in front of their notebooks

Dossier

Inspiring women

They are very different, but they all have one thing in common: they are strong and want to make a difference. On the occasion of International Women's Day on 8 March, KfW Stories presents a dossier on strong and inspiring women.

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Dossier

Plastic waste

In our dossier we present the Clean Oceans Initiative, which was co-founded by KfW five years ago, as well as other innovative approaches for avoiding or recycling plastic waste.

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Win Gayo, an adult orangutan in the rainforests of Sumatra

Dossier

Nature conservation

With targeted commitment, we can still achieve a lot in nature conservation. On the occasion of World Wildlife Day on 3 March, we present examples in our dossier.

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Topic: Start-ups

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The lemonades of Jake's Beverages

Start-ups

Making quiet lemonade

In keeping with the motto Reduce – Reuse – Recycle, the Frankfurt-based start-up Jake’s Beverages set itself the goal of sustainably marketing its non-carbonated lemonades. This includes climate-neutral filling, a new lighter glass bottle and a new reusable system for the chilled fresh-produce sections in supermarkets.

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portrait of the hehyho team

KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award

Granola that does more

People with troublesome resumes often have a difficult time in the labour market. The granola manufacturing team HEYHO based in Lüneburg, Germany, includes former convicts and people with backgrounds of addiction and mental illness. The start-up received the special Social Entrepreneurship prize 2021 of the KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award for this pioneering concept.

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Portrait of the three founders wearing hoodies with Circunomics logo

KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award

What to do with electric vehicle batteries?

Circunomics has developed a system that can put the batteries from electric vehicles back in circulation. The Mainz based start-up was crowned the federal winner 2021 of KfW Entrepreneurs’ Award for its concept.

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Start-up

Dossier

KfW Capital

KfW Capital has been active in the venture capital market for five years, successfully investing in VC funds to improve financing conditions for young technology companies. On the occasion of the anniversary, you will find current interviews, including from the two Federal Ministers Robert Habeck and Christian Lindner - and much more!

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More on this topic

All other stories

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.