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