Education

START scholarship program

Through the START scholarship program, the Wilo-Foundation supported talented and committed young people with a migration background in realizing their educational and personal potential.

Creating Caring Connecting

Europe

Germany

Dortmund

Funding period: 2013-2019

As part of the START student scholarship program, the Wilo-Foundation and the WILO-Stiftung supported ten dedicated and high-achieving young people with a migration background each year in North Rhine-Westphalia (Dortmund) and Saxony-Anhalt on their educational journey.

START scholarship holders during a visit to the Wilo plant in Oschersleben. Photo: Wilo-Foundation

The scholarship provides a supportive learning environment, creates tangible future prospects, and contributes to social integration. It includes personal mentoring through to school graduation, a monthly educational allowance, and a diverse educational program.

To provide practical insights into vocational training and professional career pathways, the Wilo-Foundation (acting here as trustee of the WILO-Stiftung) invited selected START scholarship holders to visit Wilo sites in Oschersleben and Dortmund. During these visits, apprentices guided the students through the facilities, offering first-hand perspectives on their training experiences and sharing insights into their individual career journeys.

Photo Header: START-Stiftung gGmbH

Our funding partner

The non-profit START-Stiftung gGmbH, based in Frankfurt am Main, was established in 2002 as an initiative of the Hertie Foundation. Its mission is to enable commitment, talent and motivation to thrive—regardless of background, status or environment—and to contribute to society as a whole.

The START scholarship program supports dedicated young people with a migration background on their path to higher educational attainment, encourages their civic engagement, and aims to improve their opportunities for social participation.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forms the global framework for action for socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development. Our funding commitment also supports these sustainability goals. With this project, we are making a contribution to achieving the following SDGs:

What are the SDGs?