The Stiftungsfonds Zivile Seenotrettung (Search and Rescue Foundation) stands for a Europe based on solidarity, safe harbours and safe passage, taking a clear stance against the criminalisation of flight and migration.
The Stiftungsfonds Zivile Seenotrettung understands itself as a feminist fonds. It was founded in September 2019 when a call for donations by Jan Böhmermann and Klaas Heufer-Umlauf raised over one million euros, following the rescue operation involving Carola Rackete and the Sea-Watch 3.
The donations are administered and allocated by the Stiftungsfonds towards organizations and projects which deal with flight and migration to Europe, focusing on the Mediterranean region.
Decisions on the allocation of the funds are made by consensus, if not by simple majority.
Mattea Weihe has been active as a cultural mediator in the Mediterranean and the Greek Aegean. On land, she works as a public and press relations officer. Her thematic focus lies on civilian sea rescue in the Mediterranean, research on local and European migration policy, and public relations. In the Foundation Board, Mattea represents the organization civilfleet-support e.V.
Sophie Weidenhiller has been working with people on the move since 2016. Since 2018, her focus has shifted to civil sea rescue. She's currently in training to be a person-centered psychotherapist. To this date, Sophie has participated in two sea-rescue missions aboard Sea-Eye's Alan Kurdi as RHIB-communicator/RHIB lead. Onshore she also represents Sea-Eye as a spokesperson for southern/eastern Europe. At the moment, Sophie’s focus with regards to sea rescue and working for people on the move lies in advocacy & outreach, messaging, communication and press work, therapeutic/mental health support, as well as her active participation in rescue missions.
Sophie Scheytt is a lawyer working at the intersection of political work and law. Her thematic focus is on advocacy work, strategic litigation and legal counseling. On the Foundation Board, Sophie represents the organization Sea-Watch.
Anna-Lena Blanke is a lawyer and has been active in the transregional coordination committee of the Seebrücke movement since summer 2019. Her legal work focuses on international law as well as German and European asylum and residence law. In the Foundation Board, Anna-Lena represents the civil society movement Seebrücke. Her thematic focus lies on legal projects and advocacy.
Lea Reisner is an operational coordinator and nurse on board of civilian sea rescue ships. Her thematic focus lies on medical projects, the criminalization of (forced) migration and its assistance, as well as networking between people on the move and their supporters. On the Foundation Board, she represents the collective Solidarity at Sea/iuventa10.
Giulia Messmer has been working for the Stiftungsfonds since March 2020. She is in charge of:
Contact: hello@stiftung-seenotrettung.org
Giulia studied International Relations in Dresden and Bologna, and is starting her Master's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies this year. During her Bachelor’s degree she received a scholarship from the Heinrich Böll Foundation and worked for various NGOs in Dresden, Athens and Chios, supporting victims of sexualised violence and people on the move. The matter closest to her heart is the fight against violence towards women and LGBTQI+ people.