Heinrich Böll Stiftung | Warszawa

Thank you for visiting the website of the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Warsaw! As a think tank for green visions and projects with 30 offices worldwide, we are part of an international network encompassing well over 100 partner projects in approximately 60 countries.
The thematically organized sections correspond with the full spectrum of our activities within four programmes:
Democracy & Human Rights, Energy & Climate, Europe & International Politics and European Agricultural Policy.
Here you can find information about events organised independently, or in cooperation with other organisations, as well as about our publications on the most relevant green topics. We encourage you to participate in our debates and conferences, and to follow us in social media.

Recent Articles & Specials

Dossier

Agroecology: Our Roots of Change

This dossier is a collaborative effort of Heinrich Böll Foundation offices and our partner organizations worldwide to highlight the diversity of agroecological initiatives within our global network. From community-led digital innovations to public policy strategies, it explores how agroecology redefines food systems and promotes people’s agency.

Latest dossiers

Publications

We barely have time to celebrate our wins … or to process what we’ve lost

The Ukrainian House report, issued in cooperation with the Open Space Works Ukraine and the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Warsaw highlights how Ukrainian Women-led Organisations (WLOSs) have played a key role in responding to the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Drawing on research in Ukraine and Poland, it explores their grassroots efforts in providing emergency aid, psychosocial support, and long-term solutions.

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Poland, Germany and Ukraine at a Turning Point: Making or Breaking the Western Alliance

At the beginning of 2025, Russia's war against Ukraine is entering its third year. At the same time, the EU is facing many uncertainties. Starting with those related to Donald Trump's second presidential term, through intra-European ones – related to the growth of far-right and far-left groups in many EU countries, and resulting from Russia's hybrid war against Western countries. In this context, the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe in cooperation with Austausch is publishing a report that offers answers to these threats and challenges. The report is published with the support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Warsaw office.

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Böll.Thema 2/24: Democracy

Worldwide, democracy is under pressure. In this edition of the magazine Böll.Thema we introduce people who inspire us with their commitment to democratic values. Because without dedication and action, there can be no democracy. And without democracy, everything is for naught.

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More publications

Democracy & Human Rights

2025: another tough year ahead for the Greens?

Analysis

After a rocky 2024, electoral prospects look bleak for members of the European Green Party. However, with at least seven national parliamentary and 10 head-of-state elections, as well as dozens of local and regional elections in 16 countries, there is plenty of opportunity for a Green surprise. This article reviews the 2025 electoral prospects for European Green Party members in Europe.

By Eric Balonwu

The world elects: Assessing the super election year 2024

Analysis

Elections were held in over 70 countries in 2024, with over half the global population going to the polls. This report assesses the outcomes of these elections and offers reflections on what the impact of the ‘election super-year’ is likely to be on key policy issues and on the deeper systemic state of democracy.

By Richard Youngs

Foto von Imme Scholz, Vorstand der Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

For the Legalisation of Abortion – Now!

President's column

Presidents’ column: Pregnancy termination is still a criminal offence in Germany under section 218 of the Criminal Code, with serious consequences for access to abortion and women’s right to self-determination. There can only be one answer to this.

By Imme Scholz

More about Democracy & Human Rights programme

Europe & International Politics

Stopping Russian aggression means rejecting its fossil fuel exports – and, ultimately, switching to renewables

Article

Three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Paul Hockenos compares the efforts of the EU and the US in view of weaning from Russian fossil fuels. On the ground, Ukraine’s transition to distributed renewables already rhymes with resilience against the aggressor.

By Paul Hockenos

Dealing with Donald: Five guiding lines for the European Union

Commentary

Trump is back. And so is his erratic shock and awe style of politics. One day he announces tariffs on Mexico and Canada, the day after he puts them on hold. Who knows what he’ll do next. Europe cannot afford to be paralysed by panic, divided by discord or swept up in performative outrage. Instead of being shocked and awed, the EU must stay calm, adapt and – most importantly – act.

By Roderick Kefferpütz

Foto von Jan Philipp Albrecht, Vorstand Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

Trump and Big Tech: Europe’s Sovereignty at Stake

Presidents’ column

The EU still has strong rules for the major digital platforms. However, under Donald Trump and his allies – above all powerful tech CEOs such as Musk and Zuckerberg – the USA is becoming an open opponent of these regulations.

By Jan Philipp Albrecht

More about Europe & International Politics programme

Energy & Climate

The UK has finally committed to carbon capture. But not everyone is happy

Commentary

After years of setbacks, the UK is finally pushing ahead with two carbon capture and storage projects. While there is scepticism about the technology, says Ros Taylor, its supporters argue the cost is justified if the UK means to reach net zero.

By Ros Taylor

For climate protection, this Trump Presidency could be worse than the last

Analysis

On the campaign trail in 2024 and since the November election, former president Donald Trump has not let up in denying the tie between fossil-fuel use and global warming. His supporters include the world’s largest petroleum companies and they are expecting to be paid back. But it won’t happen on ‘day one,’ as he claims.

By Paul Hockenos

Germany can and must do more for international climate protection

Presidents’ column

Climate and species protection is indispensable – and costs money. Germany must not shirk its responsibilities in these areas by invoking the debt brake. Sources of financing are available – the next federal government should use them.

By Imme Scholz

More about Energy & Climate programme

European Agricultural Policy

The Power of Three – A Weimar triangle for rural Europe

Geopolitics, geography and geometry can sometimes come together as a force for good. A gathering of people from European rural and urban civil society in the Polish village of Grzybów was one such moment. The event, which was spearheaded by ARC2020 and took place at the end of November, weaved together rural, urban, farming and EU perspectives to find a common thread towards a fairer, more sustainable farming and food system.

By Natasha Foote and Hannes Lorenzen

Foto: Grüner Pflanzenspross in rotbrauner, lockerer Erde.

Carbon Farming Won’t Save the Planet

Commentary

Funding climate protection through carbon certificates for soil may seem beneficial at first. However, a greater focus on soil health and supporting farmers in adopting sustainable practices would be far more effective in practice.

By Sophie Scherger

CBD COP16: Wins and losses for biodiversity and peoples, unfinished business on implementation

Commentary

The sixteenth UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, faced significant challenges and ran overtime due to disagreements between developing and developed countries. A resumed meeting will be required to address these unfinished issues.

By Mirna Inés Fernández

More about European Agricultural Policy programme

Our Podcast

5th German-Polish Roundtable on the East

Despite the West’s success in maintaining solidarity with Ukraine amidst increasing war fatigue, the outcome of the war remains unclear. While anticipated political shifts in the U.S. are going to visibly impact the broader dynamics of Ukraine's NATO and EU integration, the recent election of a new government in Poland promises potential advancements in Polish-German relations. In this podcast renowned international experts discuss recent political developments and their impact on European and global security with a particular focus on the ongoing war in Ukraine. The podcast was produced in cooperation with the Jan Nowak-Jeziorański College of Eastern Europe as a part of the 5th German-Polish Round Table on Eastern Europe.

After the German Federal election

Anne Klein Women's Award 2025 to Darya Afanasyeva, Irina Alkhovka and Julia Mickiewicz from Belarus

From Warsaw to Brussels: Where does Europe stand on security and defence?

Recent Articles & Specials

Agroecology: Our Roots of Change

Journalism in Exile – New Reality for Azerbaijan's Independent Media

The Greens after Germany’s election: Seize the opportunity for a new start!

Four key economic policy issues for the next German government

Poland’s EU Council Presidency - What to Expect?

Latest dossiers

COP-29: UN Climate Change Conference

Europe after the EP 2024 elections

Feminist foreign policy

Parliamentary elections in Poland

Stand with Ukraine

International Summer School for Young Researchers

Publications

We barely have time to celebrate our wins … or to process what we’ve lost

Poland, Germany and Ukraine at a Turning Point: Making or Breaking the Western Alliance

Böll.Thema 2/24: Democracy

Democracy & Human Rights

2025: another tough year ahead for the Greens?

The world elects: Assessing the super election year 2024

For the Legalisation of Abortion – Now!

Europe & International Politics

Stopping Russian aggression means rejecting its fossil fuel exports – and, ultimately, switching to renewables

Dealing with Donald: Five guiding lines for the European Union

Trump and Big Tech: Europe’s Sovereignty at Stake

Energy & Climate

The UK has finally committed to carbon capture. But not everyone is happy

For climate protection, this Trump Presidency could be worse than the last

Germany can and must do more for international climate protection

European Agricultural Policy

The Power of Three – A Weimar triangle for rural Europe

Carbon Farming Won’t Save the Planet

CBD COP16: Wins and losses for biodiversity and peoples, unfinished business on implementation

Transatlantic Media Fellowship

Our Podcast

Social Link