(Stuttgart/Mannheim). The Dr Heinz Knauer Foundation has been awarded the Evangelischer Stiftungspreis (Protestant Foundation Award) by the Protestant Church in Baden. Established in 2000, the Foundation is committed to setting up a healthcare system in Bali (Indonesia). The first prize of 2,000 Euro was handed over at the „Forum für Engagierte und Stifter*innen“ (Forum for Committed People and Donors) in Mannheim on 23 September 2021.

"By conferring this award on the prize-winners, we would like to specially acknowledge and honour the achievements of the committed people working in the three foundations," explains Torsten Sternberg, Chairman of the Board of the Umbrella Foundation of the Evangelical Regional Church in Baden. "As a church and diaconia, our prime interest is to support meaningful foundations. In line with the Forum's motto: Values have a lasting effect."

This year, the Dr Heinz Knauer Foundation applied for the prize for the first time and immediately became a prize-winner. The Dr Heinz Knauer Foundation, which was established by a doctor from Karlsruhe, promotes on-site healthcare in close cooperation with the Indonesia Liaison Desk of the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS) and the Diaconia Foundation of the member church of the EMS in Bali.

By building two clinics and using a mobile healthcare service, the Dr Heinz Knauer Foundation brings medical care to people living in the villages and to the indigenous population in the interior of Bali. According to the jury's decision, the foundation was awarded above all for the way in which it promotes its culture. "The expertise of the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity and knowledge of the local needs of the local partner church are combined with financial and legal support from the governing council of the Protestant Church. This allows for a high degree of flexibility in funding and adjustment to new challenges." For example, new services for HIV-infected people and a shelter for women who are victims of violence have been added. 

"The award is confirmation for the people committed to the often difficult work of the EMS member church in Bali, which especially cares for people without medical care," says Hans Heinrich, Chairman of the Board of the Dr Heinz Knauer Foundation. Christine Grötzinger, EMS Programme Assistant Liaison Unit Indonesia, adds: "It was a complete surprise to us that the Knauer Foundation had won the first prize and it encourages us in our further work."

The umbrella foundation of the Protestant Church in Baden and the Diakonie Baden Foundation support exemplary philanthropic activities through the Foundation Award. Prizes are awarded for the special impacts that a foundation has on its environment, creative advertising campaigns and successful asset management concepts.

For more information, go to https://www.heinz-knauer-stiftung.de/

Contact: Christine Grötzinger, groetzinger@dont-want-spam.ems-online.org, Tel. +49 711 6367834