Studies

Award from the Chancellor for Future E.D.M.

The initiative founded by students in Lübeck helps children in Senegal – one of Germany’s 25 most impressive voluntary social projects

<STRONG/>The charitable organisation Future E.D.M., which last year received an award from the University of Lübeck for exceptional student involvement, has now been honoured by Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel as one of 25 outstanding social initiatives throughout Germany. The award was presented in the Federal Chancellery on 3 June, as part of the startsocial competition.

In autumn 2018, Future E.D.M. was awarded one of 100 advisory grants from startsocial for the purpose of developing the organisational form, projects, and core ideas over a four-month period in collaboration with experienced experts and managers. Future E.D.M. has now been selected as one of the most impressive initiatives. This year, the Chancellor’s Special Award went to Karlsruhe-based Electricians Without Borders.

“All of you sitting here today have made a winning impression by bringing a little more humanity into our society,” said the Chancellor at the awards ceremony. “I believe that not just focusing on one’s own concerns, but also considering other people and their needs holds society together. We experience humanity when somebody shows an interest, offers a hand, listens – in a family, in a community, in associations, in initiatives.” She said that the projects demonstrated the variety of social involvement in Germany and reflect current social developments and challenges.

In aid of disadvantaged and ill children

Future E.D.M. was founded by Elena Spall, a student of medicine, and her fellow students at the University of Lübeck in 2014. E.D.M. stands for “enfants défavorisés et malades” (“disadvantaged and ill children”). The association helps disadvantaged children in Senegal gain access to education so as to improve their future prospects. Three projects make up the core: Firstly, arranging sponsorships so the children can finish school. Secondly, the maintenance of an education centre where children study, gain access to the internet, and learn French. Thirdly, health ambassadors are trained locally to provide knowledge about sex education, hygiene, and the prevention of diseases, including in remote parts of the country.

Future E.D.M. works with the local partner organisation Elena E.D.M. to implement the project. The focus is on joint developmental work on equal terms. Emphasis is placed on supporting local ideas and pursuing long-term strategies. With education as a key factor, the aim is to enable long-term change rather than the mere short-term treatment of symptoms. In a major fundraising campaign in late summer 2018, Future E.D.M. managed to raise over 30,000 euros for the health ambassadors project. Over 300 young Senegalese volunteers will be active throughout the country until the end of the current year.

With its national competition under the patronage of the Chancellor and the motto “Help for Helpers”, startsocial has been supporting voluntary social initiatives since 2001.