Bridging the gap and making donations more effective – that’s what Leoni Rossberg has set herself as her goal with the non-profit organisation Groundbreaker. In an eco interview, she talks about the willingness to donate in the tech industry and about better access to (digital) education in the Global South.
Could you please give us a brief introduction to your company, Groundbreaker gGmbH?
Groundbreaker gGmbH is a Cologne-based non-profit organisation and acts as a matchmaker between local projects in the Global South and motivated donor (companies). Through the Foundation-as-a-Service concept, we make it as easy and uncomplicated as possible for our donors to become active and get involved. Our focus here is primarily on educational and environmental projects. Our own administrative costs are covered, and so 100% of the donations can go directly into the projects.
Which digitalisation topics are particularly important to you?
The so-called “digital divide”, i.e., the gap between those who have access to digital technology and those who do not, is a major issue of our times. That is why it is important for us to promote digitalisation projects at schools in order to open up real opportunities for children and young adults on the international job market.
What are the special challenges in your industry at the moment, and how are you working on them?
The current global situation is causing a great deal of tension among companies. Donations are not the biggest priority in more uncertain times, although it is so important to support less privileged people right now. Access to education remains a key factor in building resilience and also learning to deal with the consequences of climate change that are coming our way.
How do you expect your membership in the eco Association to support you in this regard?
We are looking forward to great opportunities to get more visibility for our service and to expand our network as most of our donor companies are in the tech industry.
What opportunities does digitalisation offer us in the future?
Promoting digitalisation – especially in the Global South – is an important measure to support increasing equality of opportunity. We aim to have digitalisation projects, such as the implementation of computer labs in schools, open even more doors for students in the future.
Ms Rossberg, thank you very much for the interview!
Leoni Rossberg is a founding member and managing director of Groundbreaker gGmbH, a non-profit matchmaking organisation that connects local projects in the Global South with motivated donor (companies). Her path took her to different crisis areas of the world for several years, where she provided humanitarian aid on the ground. Thanks to these experiences, Leoni was able to gain a comprehensive insight into the work of NGOs and build up a good understanding of effective projects. After completing her MBA in CSR and NGO management, she started working on the concept of Foundation-as-a-Service and has since been using her experience and skills to make donations more impactful for all stakeholders.
