New sustainability action fund: environmental heroes wanted!
From 2025, the University of Cologne will provide low-threshold micro-funding for projects of its university members on the cross-cutting topic of sustainability. The Rectorate grants the funding with the aim of providing material support to university members in their commitment to sustainability.
Target groups: Students and all members of staff at the University of Cologne are eligible for funding: Researchers of all career phases, teaching staff, employees from technology and administration, from central facilities and as well as associations and initiatives of the various status groups.
Projects: Projects related to sustainability are eligible for funding. In particular, smaller projects in research, teaching, social commitment and, for example, related to campus design or events can also be funded; explicitly also research projects by students (e.g. BA/MA final projects). The projects should be of short duration (guideline up to 12 months). Conference costs or similar and travel to scientific conferences are excluded from funding.
"The individual commitment of everyone is essential in order to establish a shared culture of sustainability and thus actively contribute to the implementation of the University of Cologne's sustainability strategy."
Professor Dr. Kirk W. Junker, Vice-Rector for Sustainability
Formal conditions: Funding applications are submitted using a form (attached) and sent by email from a university email address to nachhaltigkeit@verw.uni-koeln.de. Only applications for planned, i.e. future projects can be approved. Funding is limited to material and auxiliary resources. Applicants must submit a short report within three months of the end of the project.
Funding: There are two funding categories: 1) flat-rate micro-funding of €500 and 2) individual micro-funding of more than €500, up to a maximum of €5,000. In principle, payment is made by transfer to a PSP element or, depending on individual requirements, by payment on account or reimbursement of expenses.
Procedure and deadlines: Funding can be applied for on an ongoing basis. Applications for funding are selected four times a year at the end of each quarter.
Recognition of commitment: All funded projects are recognized and made visible at a joint get-together. On request, project participants will receive a certificate for their commitment to sustainability at the UoC.
Contact information
E-mail: nachhaltigkeit(at)verw.uni-koeln(dot)de
Consultation hour of the Sustainability Office (Wednesdays 12-13)
Previously funded projects of the Sustainability Action Fund
The Sustainability Action Fund supports a wide range of projects from across the university community that are committed to sustainability, climate protection and societal transformation. The following initiatives provide an overview of the diversity of projects funded to date:
Bees for Peace (07/2025–09/2025)
This project and its website engage
religious communities and cultural centers (often overlooked in
sustainability messaging) through biodiversity education about wild
bee diversity, native habitat restoration, and sustainable living.
Biodiversity through Wildflower Strips (07/2025–06/2026)
By establishing wildflower strips, this project creates habitats for insects and promotes biodiversity. It is complemented by educational activities that raise awareness of ecological interconnections.
Future Urban Spaces (07/2025–08/2025)
This project explores sustainable forms of urban living. Students develop innovative concepts for resource-efficient and livable cities.
Reduce – Replace – Recycle in Laboratory Practice (07/2025–06/2026)
The project aims to develop sustainability-oriented solutions for everyday laboratory work. It focuses on reducing resource consumption and promoting the reuse of materials.
Lecture Series on the Climate Crisis (10/2025–02/2026)
Organized by Students for Future Cologne, this lecture series brings together experts from various disciplines to explore the climate crisis from multiple perspectives. Its aim is to communicate scientific knowledge in an accessible way and encourage students to actively engage with the topic.
Starting from Water: Transforming Education for Sustainability (10/2025–02/2026)
Using water as a starting point, this project develops sustainability-focused educational concepts. It connects ecological, cultural, and societal perspectives.
BNE Conference 2026 (10/2025–03/2026)
This conference brings together stakeholders in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Its goal is to exchange best practices and further develop educational formats.
Greenwashing Checker (11/2025–04/2026)
The project raises awareness of greenwashing and builds skills for critically evaluating sustainability claims. Participants learn how to better assess marketing messages.
Educational game about Sustainable Energy (11/2025–10/2026)
An interactive escape game that teaches knowledge about renewable energy in a playful way. By solving challenges, participants gain a deeper understanding of complex topics.
Nesting Boxes for the Exterior Facade of Rees Research Station (01/2026–03/2026)
Nesting aids for birds and bats are installed at the Rees research station. The project contributes to species conservation while supporting research activities.
InnoCup (01/2026–12/2026)
Organized by Enactus, the InnoCup supports innovative and sustainability-oriented business ideas developed by students. Teams work on solutions to societal challenges.
Rivopump (01/2026–12/2026)
The project develops an irrigation solution powered solely by the flow of rivers, operating without diesel or electricity. Its aim is to reduce irrigation costs while simultaneously lowering CO₂ emissions.
Green Office Initiative (02/2026–01/2027)
This student initiative promotes sustainability in everyday university life. It develops measures and projects aimed at the ecological transformation of the university.
Math Done Differently – Focus on ESD (21 March 2026)
This project teaches mathematical concepts in the context of sustainable development. It demonstrates in a practical way how mathematics can contribute to solving global challenges.
Climate-Friendly Buffet (15/04/2026–14/04/2027)
The project connects nutrition with climate protection and presents sustainable alternatives. It raises awareness of the environmental impact of consumption choices.
ReLaptop Lab (01/05/2026–31/12/2026)
Students refurbish old laptops and make them usable again. This helps conserve resources and promotes digital inclusion.
Raising Awareness about the Tiger Mosquito (01/05/2026–30/10/2026)
The project provides information on the spread and risks of the tiger mosquito. It contributes to public health awareness and environmental education.
Sustainability Days at the Faculty of Medicine (8–10 September 2026)
This event promotes interdisciplinary exchange on sustainability in healthcare and raises awareness of the environmental challenges facing medicine and healthcare systems. It provides students, faculty members, researchers, and staff with an opportunity to learn about and discuss sustainable solutions and practical approaches to action. The event will be preceded by a public lecture on 3 September by meteorologist and spaceflight expert Dr. Insa Thiele-Eich, who will speak about the health impacts of climate change.
VerMoos (17/08/2026–27/11/2026)
VerMoos focuses on sustainability-oriented solutions for urban spaces. Ecological approaches are implemented and tested in creative ways.
UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES Workshop: Planetary Wellbeing (19–21 November 2026)
This international workshop brings together researchers to discuss concepts of “planetary wellbeing.” Its goal is to develop sustainable solutions on a global scale.
ReCycle – Old Bikes. New Life (08/2026–08/2028)
The project refurbishes abandoned bicycles collected on campus or reuses them for spare parts. It promotes circular economy principles, sustainable mobility, and resource conservation at the university.
Serial Narrative Ecology (07/2026–12/2026)
This publication explores ecological storytelling in contemporary American television series. It connects literary and cultural studies with sustainability research to foster a deeper understanding of ecological interconnections.
Fair Trade International Symposium (23–29 May 2026)
The international symposium brings together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss current challenges and future perspectives in fair trade. It aims to promote dialogue on sustainable and equitable trading systems.
Who Should Act? (10/2026–07/2027)
This master's research project examines how people assign responsibility for climate action among governments, businesses, and individuals. A survey experiment investigates how these perceptions influence environmentally relevant behaviour.
Shaping Futures: Futures Literacy (10/2026–03/2027)
This interdisciplinary teaching project strengthens futures literacy in the context of sustainability. Students develop their own projects and present them in an international academic exchange.
Further details on the individual projects are available upon request at: nachhaltigkeit@verw.uni-koeln.de.