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About hopebuilding

I have always been interested in what works in terms of locally-led sustainable development, and I have seen it in action in different parts of the world. I believe that if people can read or see what others have done elsewhere, it will inspire them to try something similar for themselves. I hope you enjoy the 400+ stories.

Citizens redistribute a fortune

A group of 50 Austrians who represent a cross-section of the country’s population has completed its work to recommend how 31-year-old Marlene Engelhorn can redistribute a massive inheritance so that it benefits society as a whole.

The group, known as Guter Rat or Good Council, recommended that the 25 million euros ($26.8 million) should be divided among 77 organizations that are devoted to protecting the climate, improving education and health care, or supporting gender equality, among other issues. Some of the organization are large and well known, others are small and relatively unknown. They include aid groups such as Caritas, Diakonie and Volkshilfe, women’s shelters, and newspapers run by homeless people, fire departments, and pro-democracy groups. The money will be distributed over several years.

“The result is as diverse as the council itself. But what all the decisions have in common is that they want a fairer society … to support those who are discriminated against,” Good Council project manager Alexandra Wang told a news conference.

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