RAG-Stiftung

The City of Herne, the RAG-Stiftung, -Essen, and the TH Georg Agricola University (THGA), Bochum, announced their ideas and plans for THGA’s Research Center of Post-Mining (FZN) on 16th April 2021 (Figure 1). The three partners are aiming to establish the internationally renowned scientific institution in Herne. To support this endeavour, a funding application has been submitted to secure funds from the Five Locations Programme. With the aim of creating new opportunities as part of the structural change for regions that are particularly affected by the fossil-fuel phase-out, the German government is supporting five locations of coal-fired power stations in North Rhine-Westphalia between now and 2038 with up to 662 M € in funding.

Herne is one of the locations that can take advantage of this extra funding. The other locations are Gelsenkirchen, Duisburg, Hamm and the district of Unna. The programme and the funding commitments are being administered by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. A strategic advisory board and a structural strengthening council assess the relevant proposals.

For the City of Herne, the establishment of the university institution would provide some fantastic opportunities to continue driving forward the future-oriented revitalisation of the city. The desired establishment of the FZN in the Funkenberg region near Herne train station would play an important role in the strengthening of the local job market and the location as a regional centre for science. “Establishing the FZN would enable us to create new opportunities in Herne for cutting-edge research in the heart of the Ruhr. It would also be a big step forward for the future development of our city,” says Mayor Frank Dudda, describing the importance of these particular plans for the entire city and for the Ruhr region. Together with the Urban Art Center Ruhr, which is planned for Wanne city centre, and another top scientific institution, the future is looking promising for Herne, with some great regional opportunities that could soon become a reality thanks to the Five Locations Programme. “We have strong, reliable partners by our side with the FZN, and we are extremely grateful to the THGA and the RAG-Stiftung for that,” Dudda continues.

The FZN was initiated by the RAG-Stiftung and THGA and established in 2015. “Through our financial support for the FZN over the past few years, we have carried out some crucial development work, and we will continue to be a reliable partner for THGA and the Research Center in the future. But it is now time for this responsibility to the FZN to be shared by more, broader shoulders,” explains Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia, Member of the Board of Management at the RAG-Stiftung and Chair of the THGA University Council. “That is why we, together with the City of Herne, are working hard to see that the FZN receives the funding required to do this. At the same time, we are supporting the successful transformation of our region,” adds Bergerhoff-Wodopia.

Mining leaves its mark. And managing this legacy in a responsible way is a big challenge – not just in Germany, but around the world. Since its foundation, the THGA FZN has pooled the expertise required to shape the technical, economic and environmental consequences of mining. The scientists take an interdisciplinary approach to their research, investigating how the complex tasks involved in the closure of coal mines and re-use of the affected areas can be tackled while paying particular attention to future potential. Nowhere else in the world is doing this. This integrative approach has given rise to four research areas so far: perpetual tasks and mine water management, geomonitoring in post-mining, materials science for the preservation of industrial heritage, and reactivation and transition.

The FZN itself is also becoming more and more complex and grows with each challenge it faces. As a pioneering institution for people, nature and the environment in former mining regions, its aim is to become the German Research Center of Post-Mining (DFZN). “We examine the consequences of mining from all angles. We want to continue to build our reputation and expand our research fields over the coming years and become the go-to place for all scientific and social issues relating to post-mining,” explains Prof. Ulrich Pasche-dag, Head of the Research Center. “With excellent connections across Germany and the world, the DFZN will become an international “think tank” for post-mining and play an important leading role in this field. It will also help to develop sustainable, holistic concepts for extracting georesources in Germany, Europe and the world, making it indispensable to the long-term implementation of raw materials strategies in Germany and the EU.”

Establishing a new site in Herne would create new opportunities as the centre seeks to evolve into the DFZN, explains THGA President Prof. Jürgen Kretschmann: “Unfortunately, we have very limited space in our historic university building in Bochum. A new site in Herne would enable us to build world-class laboratories and expand our research activities.” Ample offices, seminar rooms, a library and an archive are also planned. From around 2025, 60 to 80 scientists would then be able to examine every aspect of post-mining centrally in a single location, making an important contribution to the development of the city and the region and enabling their findings to be applied in society. “Naturally, the DFZN would remain closely linked to the THGA in Bochum,”  Kretschmann adds. The “Geological Engineering and Post-Mining” master’s course in particular would also benefit from the new facilities. This unique course trains experts at the interface between mining, surveying and geotechnics. Graduates understand the safety and remediation measures required in the extraction of raw materials and are in high demand on the job market.

“In the new special laboratories, our students and young scientists would be able to undertake their own project work and research in state-of-the-art facilities,” says Prof. Kretschmann. “Plus they would only be a – direct – underground ride away from the THGA.” This set-up would also mean that the DFZN’s findings could be incorporated even more directly into the course and doctoral seminars, so graduates and doctoral candidates are always up to date with the latest developments in post-mining research, Prof. Kretschmann explains. “This is unbeatable expertise – even on an international level.”
(RAG-Stiftung/Si.)

Homeschooling, limited or digital classes, fear of losing the connection – the current situation brought about by the corona pandemic causes considerable uncertainties for many young people. Against the background of the current challenges students are now also finding it particularly difficult to make plans for the period after the high school graduation on time. This is precisely where the Studienkompass offers support (Figure 1). With digital offers, workshops and coaching, the Studienkompass gives young people from families without an academic background guidance on careers and university studies. For the first time the non-profit support programme is being offered in the Ruhr area with the assistance of the RAG-Stiftung, Essen/Germany. Students from Bochum, Duisburg and Essen who will sit the high school graduation in 2023 and whose parents have not studied can apply now.

The corona pandemic clearly shows how much educational success is dependent on origin and how extremely important it therefore is to promote equal opportunities. By supporting students from non-academic families, the Studienkompass makes an important contribution to creating more equal opportunities for all young people making the transition from school to university or training or education. The aim is to support the students in their decision for a suitable course of education. The three-year support programme begins two years before the high school graduation. Depending on which path the recipients take after school, they are accompanied in the first year of their studies or training.

During the sponsorship the young people receive individual help. They discover the range of professional opportunities and get to know their own strengths better. Through workshops, digital events, individual coaching and the support of voluntary mentors, the recipients receive a diverse offer of support for a successful start to their future.

“The Studienkompass can also be implemented in the Ruhr area for the first time thanks to support from the RAG-Stiftung. Altogether we will be able to include around 20 young people in the programme”, says Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia, Member of the Board of Executives at the RAG-Stiftung. Many training and education opportunities disappeared in the Ruhr area with the end of the coal mining sector, which had also offered prospects particularly to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. People know that many young people from non-academic families in the mining area would not take up studies without specific support. “In addition, the increasing digitalisation of the working world is also creating new challenges for young people, the past few months have clearly illustrated this once again. The RAG-Stiftung feels it has a responsibility to make an effective contribution to compensate for the lost education opportunities in the mining sector through the targeted support of training and education projects. This is where Studienkompass comes in. Talented students from disadvantaged families receive a reliable “compass”, which should definitely help them reach their educational goal. They are able to shape their future successfully and autonomously. We are really looking forward to the cooperation”, says Bergerhoff-Wodopia.

“Around 4,300 young people nationwide have successfully passed through the Studienkompass or are currently taking part in the programme. We are delighted to also be able to welcome students from the Ruhr area this year. Especially in times of a pandemic we provide effective support for the development of personal careers of our recipients. Apart from the support programme, our large network and the Studienkompass app for guidance on careers and university studies are good tools to successfully plan the beginning of studies and training”, adds Ulrich Hinz, Area Manager for Student Support at the Foundation of German Business.

Young people from the Ruhr area, who will sit their high school graduation in 2023 and whose parents have not studied, can apply online at www.studien-kompass.de/bewerbung up to 21st March 2021.

The online information events are a special supplementary offer this year. At these digital events interested students, their parents, as well as teachers, can obtain information about the support programme. More information about the events can be found online at www.studienkompass.de/online-info-termine. Applications are also always possible without participation in one of these events.

The support programme currently assists more than 1,100 students nationwide from families without academic experience in the transition from school to university or training. Around, 3,150 young people have already successfully gone through the programme. An independent academic evaluation of the programme, which was supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) from 2007 to 2014, gives evidence of the high effectiveness. More information online at www.studien-kompass.de.  (RAG-Stiftung/Si.)

What connects coal mining and electric mobility? One has been a thing of the past in Germany since the end of 2018, the other is a future technology. Lithium connects the past and the future (Figure 1). The mine water from the former mining tunnels contains this valuable raw material, which is required for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries. How lithium can be extracted from mining water is the subject of the MERLIN research project (MERLIN: Mining Water Lithium Extraction) of Prof. Volker Presser at the Leibniz Institute for New Materials (INM) in Saarbrücken/Germany. The RAG-Stiftung, Essen/Germany, supports the research project, which started in November 2020 and is planned for two years, with 300,000 €. Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia, Member of the Board of Executives at the RAG-Stiftung: “Mine water management is a key component of the permanent tasks of post-mining, whose financing is the purpose of the RAG-Stiftung. Researching the opportunities that involve mine water convinced us. This is why we are happy to support this project.”

In the former coal mining districts in the Ruhr and Saar areas, rainwater and surface water penetrate hundreds of metres of massive rock formations before collecting in the old tunnels and finally emerging as mine water. When the water passes through the layers of rock some rare minerals accumulate in the water such as sodium, potassium or calcium, but also elements such as strontium, barium or lithium which are very attractive for industry. “Our approach is to understand mine water as a perpetual opportunity and to make it usable as valuable water through innovative technology”, states Prof. Presser, describing the objective of the project. Approximately 1,900 t/a of valuable lithium is lost in Germany, which flows off with the mine water unused, e. g., via rivers such as the Blies and Saar.

Lithium plays an important role in the energy revolution and has become a key industrial and strategic element for electric mobility – especially for the industrial location of Germany with its major automotive industry. Billions of euros are invested in the development of new electric vehicle concepts. As the lithium reserves in Europe are only 1 to 2 % of global production and the demand is significantly higher, the expensive metal must be imported, e. g., from Chile and Argentina, among other places, where it is extracted under conditions that endanger the environment and are hazardous to health.

The success of electric mobility is therefore closely linked to the exploitation of new resources and the development of innovative technologies for lithium extraction. The MERLIN project is based on ion-sensitive electrochemistry, which Prof. Presser has already been researching for several years and successfully using for desalination, e. g. In the MERLIN process mine water initially flows through a special structure, the MERLIN cell, which contains two electrodes with different polarity. Lithium and chlorine ions are attracted by an electrode, while all other dissolved substances leave the cell with the mine water. Then fresh water flows into the cell and collects lithium and chlorine in the form of lithium chloride. The process is repeated several times so that the concentration of the lithium chloride in the water continues to increase. After the residual water has evaporated it finally appears as a solid. As the electric charge is almost fully recovered during discharging, the MERLIN process is an energy-efficient process.

The project contains various work packages over the 24-month term. They range from the analysis of mine water, particularly the water from the former Saarland mines in Reden and Camphausen, to the optimisation of the electrode material in the MERLIN cell through to the development of a demonstrator and a final profitability analysis. The INM Innovation Centre provides assistance to Prof. Presser with the implementation of the project. Karsten Moh, Head of the INM Innovation Centre, says: “The project is an ideal link between the cutting-edge research at the INM and the technology transfer of the Innovation Centre. We will actively support the project with staff and infrastructure. For this, we will research the upscaling of the technology and look at the overall process.”

MERLIN is also supported by the Saarland State Chancellery, who actively supported the application for funding by the RAG-Stiftung from the submission of the application through to the approval. (RAG-Stiftung/Si.)

Helping disadvantaged young people on their journey into professional life: This is the objective of the new education project “Participation through Education 4.0” (PaduA) in Saarland. It should bring young people to an apprenticeship and accompany them to successful completion. The programme is also aimed at young people with a migrant background. The project got off to a promising start in September this year. All allocated places have been filled.

16 young people started external vocational training and are prepared for their final examination through additional support programmes and tutoring. In addition, another 48 young people, who are not yet in an apprenticeship, are receiving intensive social-educational coaching about their professional orientation. The focus is on job profiles that are currently in strong demand by the Saarland economy, such as body and vehicle construction, warehousing and logistics, sales and distribution, as well as activities in the hospitality sector or horticulture.

The Minister for the Economy and Labour of Saarland, Anke Rehlinger, sees an important signal for the future in the success of the measure: “We do not abandon anyone. Those who need help starting out in their career also receive it. With this project we create very concrete future prospects for young people who did not always have things easy in their lives by providing them with individual support to overcome barriers. At the same time, we are also counteracting the skills shortage and ensuring that there are qualified skilled workers available for Saarland companies.”

On the initiative of the Ministry of Labour of Saarland, two main sponsors have been acquired for the project: A total of around 1 M € is available. The RAG-Stiftung, Essen/Germany and the Job Centre in the Saarbrücken Regional Association are sharing the costs.

Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia, Member of the Board of Executives at the RAG-Stiftung, highlights the reasons for the RAG-Stiftung sponsoring the project: “The coal mining sector has traditionally offered numerous, in particular disadvantaged, young people various training and education opportunities. The focus was always on particularly close support and guidance of the young people – a recipe for success without doubt and a flagship for training and education in mining at the same time. We continue this with the project.” That is why the RAG-Stiftung is supporting the training and education project with great conviction.

The Zentrum für Bildung und Beruf Saar gGmbH (ZBB) in Burbach implements the support measures. (RAG-Stiftung/Si.)

The Board of Executives of the RAG-Stiftung presented the figures for the 2019 business year on 4th June 2020 in Essen/Germany. Summary: The foundation model worked to its full extent and as expected in the first year in which financing for the perpetual obligations was to come from the German coal mining industry. The foundation remained on course even throughout the coronavirus crisis.

Bernd Tönjes, Chairman of the Board of Executives of the RAG-Stiftung, is pleased that “at 291 M €, we are slightly below the expected costs for the perpetual obligations of 300 M €.” The 2019 business year was also an extremely successful one on the whole, as the foundation’s Board of Executives reported at the Annual Press Conference at the Zollverein World Heritage Site (Figure 1). The foundation once again reported a new record profit of 474 M € (compared to 454 M € in the previous year). The foundation’s assets amounted to 18.7 bn € at the end of 2019.

The foundation got off to a good start in 2020 as well but then, like the economy as a whole, was struck by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Tönjes nevertheless underlined that: “The RAG-Stiftung is on a firm, crisis-proof footing, even in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. The effects on our capital investments were and remain manageable. The diversification of our portfolio is paying off right now.”

Jürgen Rupp, CFO of the RAG-Stiftung, was full of confidence: “The past year has proved that the foundation model works. This year has shown us that the foundation is on a firm footing, even in the midst of an economic crisis.” The foundation further increased its independence from Evonik AG in 2019 as well. While Evonik now represents just 44 % of the foundation’s total assets, 49 % of total revenues already result from other investments. In 2019, the foundation invested another 1.2 bn € and by April 2020 invested a further sum of over 650 M € in globally diversified asset classes. Rupp also emphasised the growth in hidden reserves (an increase of 690 M € in 2019), which means that the foundation is able to fulfil its obligations towards RAG Aktien-gesellschaft at all times. “At the same time, they enable us to monitor developments calmly, even in times of crisis, and take well-considered decisions for our portfolio,” states Rupp.

The Board of Executives of the foundation, by contrast, sees a major need for improvement with regard to the requirements from the German Commercial Code (HGB) for the financial reporting of long-term obligations. RAG and consequently the RAG-Stiftung are affected by a control and profit transfer agreement, which is why the chairman of the foundation is speaking out in favour of an arrangement with fixed interest rate and therefore greater calculability and improvement of the loss situation. This would help all companies recorded under the HGB in the current crisis too.

The foundation will in the meantime continue to prioritise funding for the education of children and young people who do not have equal opportunities. The foundation has since established some flagship projects along the entire education chain, reported Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia, Member of the Board of Executives at the RAG-Stiftung and responsible for the HR department and the education, science and culture funding areas. “In total, by the end of 2020 we will have invested around 120 M € in funding projects since the foundation was established. With this money, we have been able to do a lot of good in former mining regions.” The coronavirus is meanwhile also posing particular challenges for many recipients of RAG-Stiftung funding. Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia emphasised that, especially in times of crisis, RAG-Stiftung is here to support the recipients of its funding: “We are and will remain a reliable partner!” (RAG-Stiftung/Si.)

According to the results of the Ruhr innovation report, which was jointly published on 23rd April 2020 by the RAG-Stiftung, Essen/Germany, and the German Startups Association, Berlin, the Ruhr – Germany’s largest metropolitan area – offers huge opportunities for start-ups and innovative business models. However, the current COVID-19 crisis is hitting these start-ups particularly hard.

For this reason, a document presenting the challenges surrounding the COVID-19 crisis in detail and relating them to the region’s capabilities was published alongside the Ruhr innovation report. Specific challenges and opportunities for the Ruhr region can be identified in four main areas:

• More intensive support for start-ups required: E. g., the cities of Duisburg, Bochum, Essen and Dortmund have an above-average number of start-ups. Nevertheless, the Ruhr region as a whole still falls short of expectations as a metropolitan area – especially in comparison to start-up hotspots such as Berlin and Munich. Particularly in view of the current crisis, special attention should therefore be paid to even more intensive support for start-ups.
• Great potential in the B2B sector: As a metropolitan region, the Ruhr opens up huge market opportunities for start-ups. In particular, the potential in the business customer (B2B) sector is estimated to be very high due to the large number of SMEs and large companies. In the current situation, it is particularly important that innovative projects are not postponed, but rather that established companies support start-ups in the difficult phase in order to work together with them to ensure their own sustainability.
• Especially intensive university and research landscape: The Ruhr region has the best conditions for creating innovations due to its extensive, closely linked university and research landscape. Its particular strength in the fields of IT and engineering is already reflected in the founding teams and business models. This high level of industrial and digital expertise is an important prerequisite for getting back on track quickly after the crisis.
• Cybersecurity demonstrates best practice: The development of sector-specific clusters at the interfaces between universities, the established economy and start-ups is particularly promising. In this regard, the cybersecurity sector is demonstrating absolute best practice. Due to investors’ current hesitation, start-ups with outstanding financing rounds are particularly at risk. Continuing to promote this cluster, despite the crisis, is essential for the development and international visibility of the Ruhr region as an innovation location.

Bernd Tönjes, Chairman of the Board of Executives for RAG-Stiftung, says: “We have known how important innovation is for a functioning and vital economy for a long time – not only since the COVID-19 crisis began. This makes it all the more important now to maintain our innovative ability. Our start-ups and young founders are currently being put through a tough test. With the Ruhr innovation report, we would like to highlight the strengths and potential of our start-up landscape in order to be able to build on this after the crisis.”

Christian Miele, President of the German Startups Association, says: “When top international investors think of Germany, they still think about the Ruhr region far too rarely – that must and will change. After all, our report shows the region’s huge potential with regard to start-ups and innovation. Now the local players – SMEs, corporations, universities and start-ups – must sit down at one table, further develop their strengths and move forward with communicative self-confidence. This applies all the more in a crisis. We are working flat out, especially in this phase, to make politicians and society aware of the importance of the start-up ecosystem in order to jointly set the course for the future.” (RAG-Stiftung/Si.)

The international private-equity firms Advent International (Advent) and Cinven announced together with RAG-Stiftung, Essen/Germany, that they have signed binding agreements with thyssenkrupp AG to acquire thyssenkrupp Elevator Technology. As part of the transaction, thyssenkrupp AG will reinvest in the elevator business and acquire a substantial minority share in the company. This underlines the attractive value creation potential of the business and represents a commitment to the site in Germany and the Group employees.

thyssenkrupp Elevator is a leading international supplier of elevator technology and active at more than 1,000 sites across the globe. The company is headquartered in Germany and generated a turnover of 8 bn € in the 2018/2019 financial year. thyssen-krupp Elevator offers innovative solutions for customers in over 100 countries. The product range includes passenger and freight elevators, escalators and moving walks, passenger boarding bridges, stair and platform lifts as well as tailored services including maintenance for the entire range. thyssenkrupp Elevator operates a global sales and service network to ensure the company is always as close as possible to its customers.

thyssenkrupp Elevator is an appealing investment for the consortium of Advent, Cinven and the RAG-Stiftung:

• The company has a very strong position on the US, European and Asian markets.
• Structural trends like urbanisation and continually increasing mobility in cities are driving demand, resulting in significant prospects for growth.
• As the market is very fragmented, there are appealing options for acquisition and consolidation.
• The consortium’s planned investments in research and development, the product range and geographical expansion enable further organic and inorganic growth. This holds true in particular for the growth markets in Asia and for the development of new energy-efficient products.
• The service business for own and third-party elevators offers further potential for expansion.

“Cinven is happy to be able to accelerate the growth of thyssenkrupp Elevator – both organic and through further acquisitions with its investments. Further investments in product development, research and development and the international expansion will contribute to the company’s long-term sustainable growth”, said Bruno Schick, Partner and Head of Division for DACH and Emerging Europe at Cinven. “Together with Advent and the RAG-Stiftung, we are looking forward to collaborating with the Management to make optimum use of the company’s next phase of growth”.

“thyssenkrupp Elevator has established itself as a leading international company with a strong and innovative product range. We are looking forward to working with Cinven and the RAG-Stiftung and use our combined expertise and financial power in order to develop this excellent platform further. It is our goal to create a strong, independent industrial company”, said Ranjan Sen, Managing Partner and Head of Division for Germany at Advent.

“We are very aware of the tradition and history behind thyssenkrupp Elevator. The consortium is committed to maintaining the company headquarters and strong roots in Germany. The stake in thyssen-krupp Elevator, which we expect to yield very stable profits, is the perfect fit for the portfolio of RAG-Stiftung”, said Bernd Tönjes, Chairman of the Executive Board at the RAG-Stiftung. “The success of an innovative company like thyssenkrupp Elevator with high quality standards is down to its employees. As such, we take our duties as responsible investors very seriously.”

Germany is an important market for Advent and Cinven. Both have maintained subsidiaries in Frankfurt for more than 20 years and are successfully involved in over 39 companies in Germany. Advent and Cinven are very experienced in the industrial and business service sector with shares in a total of 130 companies. In addition, the RAG-Stiftung has close ties with the Rhine-Ruhr region and is tasked with helping to sustainably transform the region. The foundation is an investor with a long-term outlook, bearing responsibility for financing the perpetual obligations arising from the coal mining industry in the Ruhr region, the Saar region and in Ibbenbüren.

The consortium follows a joint investment philosophy which is aimed at systematically enabling further sustainable growth for leading companies. As a result, the plan for thyssenkrupp Elevator also envisions long-term value enhancement. The consortium will support the company as a committed, fair and responsible owner. The investors have many years of experience in working with participation committees and place great value on the partnership with employee representatives. In this context, the consortium is planning to continually invest in further education and training for employees. The consortium will also invest to sustainably maintain the Group’s sites in all regions.

The transaction is expected to be concluded by the end of the third quarter of 2020, subject the usual transactional conditions and regulatory approvals. (RAG-Stiftung/Si.)

The reduction of education-related inequalities is one of the biggest challenges of our time. Compared with other industrial nations the Federal Republic of Germany is slightly below average in the area of educational equity. Social background and education success or failure have never been so closely interconnected as in Germany. In order to counteract the negative effects of this connection – both in the interests of the affected children, as well as for the general social development in the Ruhr region – the RAG-Stiftung, Essen/Germany, in cooperation with the Center for Research on Education and School Development (IFS) at TU Dortmund, initiated the project “GemeinsamGANZTAG”.

Early support of young people, particularly from disadvantaged social backgrounds, can significantly improve their opportunities of later participation in our society. This is where GemeinsamGANZTAG comes in. Research teams at TU Dortmund, as well as the University of Bochum, University of Duisburg-Essen and University of Wuppertal, are developing solutions with schools in challenging situations from the cities Bochum, Duisburg, Gelsenkirchen and Herne in order to optimally support disadvantaged children, particularly in the areas of language learning and self-regulated and cooperative learning. The researchers integrate proven concepts, which are adapted to the individual needs of the schools. In order to achieve optimal results, the universities, schools, education offices and other project partners are working together in networks.

Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia, Member of the Board of Executives at the RAG-Stiftung, highlights the importance of the project: “GemeinsamGANZTAG deals with one of the biggest challenges in our society: educational equity irrespective of social origin. We want to face this challenge in the Ruhr region with all our efforts. That’s why I’m happy that we found so many excellent project partners, who will work with us on improving educational equity.”

The project focuses on strengthening linguistic competencies, as well as self-regulated and cooperative learning. With these focal points GemeinsamGANZTAG follows up on current findings in education and school development, as well as educational policy requirements. In order to use the opportunities of longer collaborative learning, particularly at schools in challenging situations, it is not enough to only extend the time in school. High-quality offers which take into account the needs of the schools and pupils need to be developed. The project therefore focuses on the proven potential of school networks and builds up a dialogical cooperation between research, educational practice and educational administration.

The work in the different networks started with the new school year and is continued at regular work meetings. The evidence-based findings of GemeinsamGANZTAG will be published in 2021. (RAG-Stiftung/Si.)

The 2018 business year was another extremely successful one for RAG-Stiftung, Essen/Germany, as the Board of Executives reported at the Annual Press Conference at the Zollverein World Heritage Site on 6th June 2019 (Figure 1). The foundation reported a record profit of 912 M € in 2018. 458 M € of that came from the 3.5 % capital gain of its Evonik shares in September 2018. Adjusting the result to take this special effect into account still gives a record annual profit since RAG-Stiftung’s foundation of 454 M € (compared to 431M € in the previous year). Since early 2019, RAG-Stiftung has taken on the financing of the perpetual obligations from the German coal mining industry of RAG Aktiengesell-schaft, Essen.

“We are extremely well equipped financially for the expenditure that awaits us,” stated Bernd Tönjes, Chairman of the Board of Executives of RAG-Stiftung, at the start of the annual press conference. The end of the German coal mining industry in December 2018 concluded the final chapter of an industrial history which dates back more than 200 years. This also ushered in a new era for RAG-Stiftung. While the foundation was building up its capital almost exclusively with the income from its assets by the end of 2018, early February saw the first invoice for the perpetual obligations. “We have already coped well with the first few months of this new era. It bodes well for the rest of perpetuity!” emphasised Tönjes in reference to the foundation’s continued commitment. He also highlighted the challenges which the mining regions are still to face following the end of the coal mining industry. People reached the future without coal mining a long time ago. “Now we must pool all our efforts to make it a bright future!” exclaimed Tönjes, who assured the foundation would play its part.

That includes, in particular, reliable financing of its perpetual obligations. Costs of some 300 M € are expected in the first few years. Savings are expected following the implementation of the optimised mine water plans in North Rhine-Westphalia and Saarland. The current expenditure is offset by high income. The total provision for the perpetual obligations from the 912 M € profit amounted to 7.79 bn € at the end of 2018.

Jürgen Rupp, CFO of RAG-Stiftung since April, stressed the successful expansion of the diversified capital investments by 1.4 bn € to 7.3 bn € (market value) at the end of 2018. He intends to adhere to the strategy of his successor, Helmut Linssen, and push forward with the diversification. To date, the foundation has invested more than 50 % of its assets in companies other than Evonik. “Early on, as a result of the low-interest environment, the foundation focused heavily on illiquid assets with higher returns. That paid off. We will continue down that route, even in a challenging capital market environment,” stated Rupp.

Head of Human Resources Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia pointed out that RAG-Stiftung had expended some 60 M € for funding activities since its creation. A further 30 M € will be added to that in 2019. A large proportion of the funding subsidies benefit disadvantaged children and young people. The RAG-Stiftung’s funding activities will continue to focus on the education sector across the entire education chain, from nurseries to the transition into vocational training or further studies. By now, RAG-Stiftung primarily defines its own projects, which span a number of years, and implements them with renowned partners. In 2019, RAG-Stiftung took over additional funding projects of some 14 M € from RAG Aktiengesellschaft, which no longer had the funds following the end of the coal mining industry. “By taking those on, we are guaranteeing that there will be no breaks in the support for central institutions in the former mining regions. Essentially, our funding is also about sustainability. Our responsibility doesn’t end with the mining industry. In fact, it takes on an all-new importance – and that also applies to our funding,” stated Bergerhoff-Wodopia.

Together with the German coal mining industry, the “Glückauf Zukunft!” initiative, which was set up by RAG-Stiftung, RAG Aktiengesellschaft, Evonik AG and the German Trade Union for Mining, Chemicals and Energy (IG BCE) in 2016, also drew to a close at the end of 2018. As an initiator of “Glückauf Zukunft!”, RAG-Stiftung was involved in almost 40 of its own projects. Moreover, around 100 activities and exhibitions were held by third parties as part of the initiative. “Glückauf Zukunft!” acknowledged the achievements of the mining industry and its miners, and generated significant momentum for the further development of the mining regions, which continues to have an impact following the end of the coal mining industry. (RAG-Stiftung/Si.)

Teams of school pupils have been diligently promoting their ideas in the Ruhr region, and with the online vote having drawn to a close, the time has finally come. The winners of the “Förderturm der Ideen” school competition have been announced: Bochum is getting a recreation area, Essen can look forward to smart lamps, Duisburg-Rheinhausen is establishing a meeting group and the winning team from Oberhausen will tell the story of Oberhausen’s mining heritage with a newly designed path. Hopsten is getting an outdoor fitness park and Ibbenbüren a children’s rights trail. The winners were awarded on 24th June 2019 at the exciting awards ceremony in the Erich Brost Pavilion at the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site (Figure 1). The jury was so impressed by the high quality of the submissions that a further six teams achieved special recognition for their ideas.

The twelve finalists from the Ruhr region in the categories “Liveable City” and “Positive Neighbourhood”, divided into lower and upper secondary levels, surpassed themselves time and again during the online vote with a series of campaigns for their ideas. As well as appealing on social media and in local newspapers, some pupils even handed out flyers that they had designed themselves. They had further support from their cities, communities and numerous volunteer helpers. They lost no opportunity to pick up votes! In the end, the following four teams came out on top:

Winner of the “Liveable City” category, lower secondary level:

• Green recreation: Team “Iraklion” from year nine at the Lessing school in Bochum will upgrade Wiebuschweg in the Langendreer district by adding a green space, installing bins and even putting up signs they have designed themselves.

Winner of the “Liveable City” category, upper secondary level:

• Smart lamps: Team “Licht bei der Nacht” from year twelve at the Essen-Borbeck High School for Girls promoted their idea of better illuminating the gloomy Schlosspark and helping visitors feel safer by installing a panic button.

The following team was voted winner of the “Positive Neighbourhood” category at lower secondary level:

• Circular exchange: The team “’GLÜCK AUF!’ WIR TREFFEN UNS!” from years 5 to 8 at Rheinhausen secondary school in Duisburg will set up a meeting group in their district, offering a variety of activities, such as dancing, storytelling and board games.

And in the “Positive Neighbourhood” category at upper secondary level, the residents of the Ruhr region voted for the following winner:

• History connects us: Twelfth-year team “Die Übergänger” from the Heinrich-Heine-Gymnasium in Oberhausen will symbolically connect two sides of the road by designing a new path which traces the history of Oberhausen.

Both the Ibbenbüren winners were awarded prizes by the jury, and also announced on 24th June 2019:

• Children’s rights trail: Team “Korczak-Kids” from years 5 to 8 at Janusz-Korczak school won with their idea to exhibit artworks displaying information on children’s rights along the circular trail at the Aasee.
• Fitness for everybody: The “Fitness-Füchse” in year 12 at the Hüberts´sche school vocational college in Hopsten stood out from the competition with the following proposal: An outdoor fitness park with equipment for all ages, particularly including those with physical disabilities.

North-Rhine Westphalia’s Minister for Education Yvonne Gebauer, patron of the competition, expressed her enthusiasm for the pupils’ ideas: “The winning teams really impressed us with their outstanding performances and creativity. I’d like to congratulate all of them on their fantastic ideas for a liveable city and a positive neighbourhood. Projects like this show how much potential there is in the region and what an impact bringing together many great ideas can have. The pupils have set a clear example for their home towns and can now look forward to the implementation of their projects.”

In addition to the winners, six other teams impressed the jury with their ideas and were therefore given special recognition.

Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia, Member of the Board of Executives of RAG-Stiftung and chair of the jury, was full of praise: “We received more than 50 ideas for an attractive Ruhr region. It was a tough decision for the jury. All the ideas were brilliant in their own way and showed that all the participants put their heart and soul into it. The second round of the competition also revealed that the young people of the Ruhr region and Ibbenbüren think very fondly of their home. They want to work with us to shape the future. Up to 50,000 € per winning project will now help to make their ideas for the future a reality. I’m already looking forward to the implementation of the projects.”

The winners of the “Förderturm der Ideen” school competition in Saarland have also been announced: Bärbel Bergerhoff-Wodopia, member of the jury and Ulrich Commerçon, Saarland Minister for Education and patron of the school competition in Saarland, honoured the winning teams at the awards ceremony on 26th June 2019 at the Ministry for Education and Culture in Saarbrücken, highlighting the pupils’ great dedication to their home (Figure 2). In total, more than 400 pupils took part, with more than 50 entries in the overall competition in the Ruhr region, Saarland and Ibbenbüren.

After an exciting jury session and intensive discussions in mid-April, the jurors announced the following winning teams:

Lower secondary winner:

• Place for the generations: The year 8 team “BQA – Besseres Quierschied für alle” from the Gemeinschaftsschule in Quierschied won with their idea for a central meeting place – including a fire pit, raised beds, pond and playground – which both young and old can enjoy.

Upper secondary winner:

• Warndt meeting point: The year 11 team “Die Denk-Maler” from the Gemeinschaftsschule in Völklingen will upgrade the area around the derelict Warndt memorial by planting flowers and installing benches and play equipment.

Both winning teams will be awarded up to 50,000 € for the implementation of their ideas. Bergerhoff-Wodopia praised the tremendous dedication of the young participants, and emphasised: “Every team can feel like a winner. We were so impressed with the pupils’ many creative ideas. It was a tough decision for the jury. I’d like to congratulate the winning teams on their success and am already looking forward to the implementation of their ideas!”

Because the jury was so impressed with the high quality of the entries, they decided to give another project special recognition: The team “New kids of Neinkerje” from years 10 and 11 at the vocational training centre TGSBBZ Neunkirchen wanted to create a city garden which everybody can get involved with, plus a “Chill & Grill” area where the neighbourhood can get together.

“The huge commitment which the pupils showed in taking on the task set in this competition really impressed me. They are promoting the enhancement of their home towns and the improvement of the living conditions there, which means they’re taking responsibility – it’s brilliant! RAG-Stiftung will soon get down to implementing the winning ideas. I can’t wait to see the finished projects,” said Commerçon.
(RAG-Stiftung/Si.)