Zennström Philanthropies was established by its founders because of their belief that the world today faces significant challenges and that those in a position to do something are obligated to bring to bear the resources they have to help find solutions.
With the founders' experience as both entrepreneurs and philanthropists, Zennström Philanthropies looks to work on the cutting edge of the nexus between the two. We work in partnerships with organisations that bring together strong management and new ideas to come up with innovative solutions to create concrete change.
The foundation focuses its work in three key areas:
Human Rights
Despite the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights over 60 years ago, today people throughout the world are still being denied basic rights. It's our belief that by working to ensure the protection human rights, individuals are able to live in a dignified manner where they are productive and able to reach their full potential.
Climate Change
Climate change threatens the very ability of our planet to sustain life as changing temperatures wipe out habitats, change the chemistry of the oceans and threaten vulnerable communities. Only through coordinated partnership with businesses, governments and civil society do we have an opportunity to halt climate change now before the changes to our natural environment are irreversible.
Social Entrepreneurship
Work to address the social and environmental issues facing society today will always need dedicated NGOs labouring in the trenches. Today a new way of addressing these issues, harnessing the energy and business acumen of entrepreneurs, offers a new set of tools in the arsenal. By supporting social enterprises and social entrepreneurship we hope to not only make a dent in some of the most pressing issues facing us but also encourage new ways of working, the creation of new jobs and local capacity building at the same time.
