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The Safe Passage Foundation stands for solidarity, freedom of movement and safe passage, taking a clear stance against the criminalization of migration.

Resistance needs alliance: We stand in solidarity with people on the move!

The Safe Passage Foundation (formerly known as Stiftungsfonds Zivile Seenotrettung) was founded in Germany in September 2019 when a call for donations by the comedians Jan Böhmermann and Klaas Heufer-Umlauf raised over one million euros, following the rescue operation involving captain Carola Rackete and the vessel Sea-Watch 3.

The Safe Passage Foundation defines itself as a feminist initiative. The foundation places particular emphasis on anti-racist and inclusive projects that support people on the move as well as local structures and take an intersectional approach. The members of the fund are always encouraged to reflect on existing social power structures as well as privileges and to work continuously to critically question them in the best possible way.

The funding is allocated by the board towards organizations and projects dealing with migration to the European Union, focusing on the external(ized) border regions. Decisions on the allocation of the funds are made by consensus, if not possible by simple majority.

We would like to thank our supporters and all private donors

  • iuventa10
  • LeaveNoOneBehind
  • RSNZRFLXN
  • Sea-Watch e.V.
  • United we Stream
Porträtfoto von Lina Urbat

Blindspots

Lina Urbat ist als Koordinatorin in der Support-Arbeit im westlichen Balkan aktiv. Ihr Fokus ist die Vernetzung und Kooperation zwischen zivilgesellschaftlichen Organisationen, Aktivist*innen und Netzwerken. Zudem arbeitet sie als Bildungsreferentin zu den Themen Migration, Flucht und koloniale Kontinuitäten. Im Stiftungsrat repräsentiert Lina den Verein Blindspots.

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Portrait photo of Lina Urbat

Blindspots

Lina Urbat is active as coordinator in the support work in the Westen Balkans. Her focus lies on networking and cooperation between civil society organizations, activists, and networks. She also works as an educational trainer on the topics of migration and colonial continuities. In the foundation board, Lina represents the organization Blindspots.

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Porträtfoto von Mattea Weihe

Civilfleet-Support e.V.

Mattea Weihe war als kulturelle Mediatorin im Mittelmeer und in der griechischen Ägäis aktiv. An Land arbeitet sie als Referentin für Öffentlichkeits- und Pressearbeit. Ihr thematischer Fokus ist die zivile Seenotrettung im Mittelmeer, Research zu lokaler und europäischer Migrationspolitik, sowie mediale Öffentlichkeitsarbeit. Im Stiftungsrat repräsentiert Mattea die Organisation civilfleet-support e.V.

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Portrait photo of Mattea Weihe

Civilfleet-Support e.V.

Mattea Weihe has been active as a cultural mediator in the Mediterranean and the Greek Aegean. On land, she works as a public and press relations officer. Her thematic focus lies on civilian sea rescue in the Mediterranean, research on local and European migration policy, and public relations. In the foundation board, Mattea represents the organization civilfleet-support e.V.

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Porträtfoto von Doreen Johann

Sea-Watch e.V.

Doreen Johann ist an Land in der politischen Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und Interessenvertretung für die zivile Seenotrettung im zentralen Mittelmeer aktiv. Im Stiftungsrat repräsentiert Doreen die Organisation Sea-Watch.

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Portrait photo of Doreen Johann

Sea-Watch e.V.

Doreen Johann is active on land in the advocacy work for civil sea rescue in the central Mediterranean. In the foundation board, Doreen represents the organization Sea-Watch.

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Porträtfoto von Lea Reisner

Solidarity at Sea

Lea Reisner ist als operationelle Koordinatorin und Krankenpflegerin an Bord ziviler Seenotrettungsschiffe aktiv. Ihr thematischer Fokus liegt auf medizinischen Projekten, der Kriminalisierung von Flucht und Fluchthilfe und der Vernetzungsarbeit zwischen Menschen auf der Flucht und Unterstützer*innen. Im Stiftungsrat repräsentiert sie das Kollektiv Solidarity at Sea/iuventa10.

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Portrait photo of Lea Reisner

Solidarity at Sea

Lea Reisner is an operational coordinator and nurse on board of civilian sea rescue ships. Her thematic focus lies on medical projects, the criminalization of migration and its assistance, as well as networking between people on the move and their supporters. In the foundation board, she represents the collective Solidarity at Sea/iuventa10.

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Portrait Foto von Hela Kanakane

Watch the Med - Alarm Phone

Hela Kanakane war bisher in verschiedenen basisdemokratischen und dekolonialen Bewegungen und Netzwerken aktiv. Ihr thematischer Schwerpunkt liegt auf der Abschottungspolitik der EU und den Migrationsbewegungen im zentralen Mittelmeerraum und in Nordafrika. Im Stiftungsrat vertritt sie das Netzwerk Watch The Med - Alarm Phone.

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Portrait photo of Hela Kanakane

Watch the Med - Alarm Phone

Hela Kanakane has been active with different grassroot and decolonial movements and networks. Her thematic focus lies on borders externalisation policies by the EU, migration movements in the Central Mediterranean and North Africa. In the foundation board, she represents the Watch The Med - Alarm Phone network.

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Project Management

Giulia Messmer has been working for the Safe Passage Foundation since March 2020. She is in charge of:

  • Supervision and coordination of grant applications
  • Organisation of board-meetings
  • Public communications

Contact: hello@safe-passage.org

Giulia Messmer holds a Master's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies. Besides her work on (forced) migration to the European Union, her thematic focus lies on structural violence, state repression and transitional as well as transformative justice.