Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Controversial climate foundation advertises new funding program

Schwerin (dpa/mv) - Regardless of criticism and plans to dissolve it, the MV Climate and Environmental Protection Foundation remains active.

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Controversial climate foundation advertises new funding program

Schwerin (dpa/mv) - Regardless of criticism and plans to dissolve it, the MV Climate and Environmental Protection Foundation remains active. A new funding program for climate and environmental education projects is being advertised, she announced on Tuesday. According to this, associations or other institutions can apply for up to 3,000 euros for educational projects on climate and environmental protection. The prerequisite is the participation of children, adolescents or young adults. Research expeditions are mentioned as an example.

The foundation has been criticized for its connections to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline for Russian natural gas through the Baltic Sea. Critics accuse the foundation that climate protection is only a pretense as a purpose. The foundation was set up at the instigation of the state government, also with the purpose of completing the pipeline despite the threat of US sanctions. Nord Stream 2 AG provided most of the money for the non-profit part of the foundation. However, according to the latest information, far more money flowed into the pipeline construction via the foundation.

A parliamentary committee of inquiry has recently been dedicated to the foundation. The decision on the first applications for evidence was planned for Tuesday. Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) had spoken out in favor of dissolving the foundation, also under the impression of the war in Ukraine. Foundation head Erwin Sellering (also SPD) raised legal concerns about a dissolution, but announced his withdrawal from the board for September. It is unclear whether this will clear the way for the dissolution of the foundation.

Irrespective of this, the foundation continued its activities and in June started the second round of a tree-planting campaign with children and previously announced a children's book on climate protection.