People often say, “Only bad news is good news.” FUTURZWEI says: That’s not true! For over five years, this Berlin-based nonprofit foundation has been working to build a sustainable, future-proof, and inclusive society. To that end, it puts the spotlight on people who have different stories to tell—not stories of impending doom. No, stories of hope, cooperation, and sustainability. In short: stories of success.
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Recyclable used goods are collected, processed at certified facilities, and forwarded to ReVital partner retail locations. © Upper Austrian Regional Waste Management Association
Story: ReVital Gives Old Goods a New Lease on Life
Whether it’s an electric razor, a doll, or a drill: Under the “ReVital” banner, formerly long-term unemployed individuals in Upper Austria refurbish discarded household items. These items are sold at low prices in one of the 21 ReVital shops. It’s a win-win-win business idea, as the initiative benefits the environment, the economy, and society in equal measure.
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[av_heading heading='Public Relations for the Little Ones' tag='h3' style=" size=" subheading_active=" subheading_size='15' padding='10' color=" custom_font=" admin_preview_bg="][/av_heading]
The members of FUTURZWEI are constantly on the lookout for stories—for new perspectives that help paint a picture of society’s future. Harald Welzer, one of the leading figures behind the foundation, sums up the mission: “We need PR for small initiatives, for people who want to make a difference. For us and everyone else who prefers not to be bad people and who continues to rely on resistance, community, and self-empowerment to keep working on the social and ecological civilization of our lives.”
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Carla Cargo trailers are compatible with almost any standard bicycle, pedelec, or e-bike. © Carla Cargo
Story: Carla Cargo Takes Off with Electric Propulsion
According to a study by “cyclelogistics,” half of all inner-city car trips in the European Union could be handled by cargo bikes. To make this a reality, the Freiburg-based startup “Carla Cargo” has developed an electric-powered bike trailer. It can carry loads of up to 150 kilograms. For cleaner air and a healthier future.
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[av_heading heading='Future-proofing across all channels' tag='h3' style=" size=" subheading_active=" subheading_size='15' padding='10' color=" custom_font=" admin_preview_bg="][/av_heading]
To spread these success stories, FUTURZWEI is pulling out all the stops in the world of journalism. First, there’s its flagship platform: its own website. It’s the ideal starting point for exploring the world of tomorrow. At its heart is the Future Archive, which compiles these stories of success. Then there is the global version of this archive, Future Perfect. With Trafo, the foundation recently launched another online magazine. The Open Society initiative, meanwhile, aims to spark an offline debate about the kind of country the public wants—away from online forums and social media.
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The community café at Bellevue di Monaco is organized and run in collaboration with refugees. © Gila Sonderwald for Bellevue di Monaco
Story: Affordable Living at Bellevue di Monaco
Munich is one of those cities where housing costs are constantly rising. To slow this trend, a group of idealists formed a social cooperative. As a result, they were actually able to save and renovate three buildings that had been slated for demolition. The launch of “Bellevue di Monaco” was underway—a place for community, an information and counseling center, affordable housing, and a community café. All in one. And so much more.
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[av_heading heading='New momentum through collaboration with the TAZ' tag='h3' style=" size=" subheading_active=" subheading_size='15' padding='10' color=" custom_font=" admin_preview_bg="][/av_heading]
Those who prefer print publications will also find something to their liking. In the summer of 2017, FUTURZWEI launched a partnership with the Berlin-based national newspaper *Die Tageszeitung* (TAZ). The result of this collaboration is the magazine *taz.FUTURZWEI*. For Harald Welzer, this step is a no-brainer. “Whether it’s wars, ISIS, right-wing populism, Trump, Putin, Erdogan, climate change, or digitalization—one cannot view issues of justice and freedom, nor the ecological crisis, in isolation. We are witnessing a new politicization of society, one that has not yet taken on a fixed form or direction,” says the sociologist. “This calls for a political magazine that provides analysis and debate and once again places the future at the center of politics.”
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At Räubersachen, the sustainable selection of products for babies and toddlers is carefully curated and rented out under the motto “Renting is the new buying.” © Räubersachen
Story: Children dress up as robbers
From onesies to shoes to overalls: clothes for the littlest ones look adorable, but there’s often a catch—kids outgrow them quickly. Räubersachen has the solution to this challenge. Founded in 2015, this online shop sells eco-friendly children’s clothing on a rental basis. Here, parents, relatives, and friends can choose and order clothes and keep them as long as they fit.
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What exciting stories will the future bring? We can’t wait to find out. If you’re looking for inspiration from sustainable projects and innovative visionaries right now, look no further: FUTURZWEI.
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Editorial article
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