Evangelische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg

The Evangelische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz (EKBO) is one of the most significant church organizations in the region. Founded in its current form in 2004, the EKBO encompasses a diverse range of activities and services that extend to the spiritual, social, and educational levels.

• Education: The EKBO operates 35 schools and 17 after-school care centers in Berlin and Brandenburg through the Evangelische Schulstiftung in der EKBO, which are attended by more than 10,000 students. These institutions are open to all children, regardless of their cultural, social, and religious background[1].
• Community Work: The EKBO supports and promotes work in the congregations and church districts, including pastoral care, cultural offerings, and social projects.
• Financial Management: The financing of church work is primarily based on church tax, which is adjusted to the income situation of church members. Additional income comes from support payments from other regional churches, state benefits, donations, and asset management[4].

The EKBO strives to be a vibrant and future-oriented church that is guided by the principles of the "Church of Freedom." These include spiritual profiling, focusing on priorities rather than striving for completeness, flexibility in forms, and an outward orientation. The EKBO promotes the participation and co-determination of its members in all decision-making processes and emphasizes the importance of transparency and sustainability in its work[2].

The EKBO is actively engaged in promoting sustainability and environmental protection. This includes:

• Environmental and Climate Protection: The EKBO has established an environmental office that supports congregations in sustainable procurement and the use of environmentally friendly products. Various labels and certificates such as the EU Organic Label, the Bluesign Label, and the EU Ecolabel are promoted to ensure responsible resource use[3].
• Reform Processes: The EKBO has undergone a comprehensive reform process aimed at making the church future-proof. This includes optimizing administrative offices, introducing new accounting systems, and promoting networks and thematic focuses[2].

The Evangelische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz is a dynamic and committed organization that is dedicated to the spiritual, social, and ecological development of its communities and society. Through its diverse services, clear values, and sustainability initiatives, the EKBO significantly contributes to shaping a just and sustainable future.

• 1 - https://www.schulstiftung-ekbo.de
• 2 - https://innovation.ekbo.de/fileadmin/ekbo/mandant/reformprozess.ekbo.de/Portrait_Reformprozess.pdf
• 3 - https://umwelt.ekbo.de/wir/umwelt-klimaschutz/themen-projekte/beschaffung/siegel-und-zertifikate
• 4 - https://www.ekbo.de/wirken/finanzen
• 5 - https://www.foerdermittel-ekbo.de/willkommen/mut-zur-eu-foerderung-und-steckbrief.html