About Us
History of the Association
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Vision and Approach
Vision
Our vision is a peaceful and solidary world in which all people can actively shape their living environment in a self-determined way.
For us, a peaceful world is not only characterized by the absence of war, but also by the presence of mutual respect, social justice, and individual freedom. Peace also means a life without fear and discrimination. A sustainably peaceful society is realized through the continuous commitment of its members. In a solidary world, people take responsibility for their immediate environment as well as across borders. For us, solidarity means that self-determined action is also oriented towards the common good. By self-determination, we mean shaping one's own life according to individual ideas and wishes, free from external constraints, as well as the ability to critically question one's own environment and learned values.
Approach
We identify education as a key factor in achieving our vision. Therefore, we are committed in three areas:
Improving the quality of education
We support the educational infrastructure in our target regions to make a sustainable contribution to improving the quality of education. In this way, we aim to ensure that education and knowledge are accessible to a broader group of people. Together with local partners, we support, for example, libraries and the establishment of computer rooms. Current and former scholarship holders also contribute to improving the quality of education on site through their own projects and initiatives.
Promoting engagement
We award scholarships to needy students from countries in the Global South who want to engage with their society. In societies where public infrastructure has suffered or is suffering from years of crises and violent conflicts, it is often difficult for young people to complete their studies. However, it is precisely committed and well-educated people who can play a central role in society with their ideas. The scholarship holders use the skills they acquire during their support to act as multipliers through various (social) projects during or after their studies, thus contributing to the peaceful and sustainable development of their region.
Raising awareness
We inform about the political and social situation in our target regions, for example through lectures, film evenings, and panel discussions. We want to question the role of Germany and the international community in conflicts worldwide and highlight global connections between our actions and the situation in our target regions. Within the association, we also critically reflect on our work, the underlying structures, and the consequences of our actions. Direct contact with scholarship holders and our cooperation partners also enables intercultural exchange.
Our approach is subject to constant review and is adapted as needed. Studieren Ohne Grenzen sees itself as a learning organization that continuously improves based on successes as well as mistakes made. For feedback, feel free to contact us at kontakt@studieren-ohne-grenzen.org
Board and Advisory Board
Board
The board is elected by the annual general meeting for one year and manages the ongoing business of the association. It consists of the 1st and 2nd chairperson, the treasurer, and up to six additional members. The board can be contacted at vorstand@studieren-ohne-grenzen.org
Advisory Board
The advisory board takes on a consultative and moderating role. Its members bring their experience to the association and support the groups with advice and assistance. As a neutral and independent body, they are contact persons for the board, local, project, and working groups, as well as for each individual member, especially regarding:
- Moderation and mediation
- Advice on specific issues: e.g., organizational structure, work processes, content-related projects of the association
- Association history and future
The advisory board consists of up to 8 people and is elected annually by the general meeting. Inquiries can be sent to beirat@studieren-ohne-grenzen.org.
Auditing
The auditing committee monitors whether the association's work is carried out in accordance with the statutes and the issued guidelines and reviews the annual financial statement, the management report, and the account sheets. It consists of at least two people and is elected at the general meeting.
Current Board
1st Chairperson: Daniel Lerch
Hello, I'm Daniel, 23 years old, and I study Business Informatics at TU Darmstadt. I got to know SOG through the Infinity Centre in Sri Lanka, where I did my voluntary social year in 2019. Since January 2023, I have been active at SOG and involved in the Sri Lanka working group. This year, I also served as 2nd chairperson on the board and contributed a lot to the further development of the new website, which will hopefully soon replace the old one. I am very much looking forward to continuing to help shape the association as 1st chairperson next year and laying the foundations for growth. My dream is that one day all people will have career prospects in their home country, and I am sure that SOG can contribute to this through the promotion of education.
2nd Chairperson: Rico Mosig
I'm Rico and I'm from Leipzig. I am currently studying Political/Administrative Science at the University of Konstanz (or from January 2025 on exchange at the University of Sussex). I joined SOG in April 2023 through project work in the West Bank, was active in auditing in 2024, and, together with other colleagues, started a new Burundi project. As a board member, I would now like to help further develop the association, especially in fundraising and strategy planning. I am motivated by the fact that through our projects we can offer other young people better education and thus hopefully the chance for a better life, and that I can also learn a lot myself in the process.
Treasurer: Yannik Trinn
I’m Yannik, and I manage the financial operations at SOG, ensuring that our funds are used effectively and transparently. In addition to my role on the board, I am also actively involved in the Sri Lanka project. I joined SOG in 2024 because I believe that empowering young people through education in their home countries is one of the most powerful ways to drive positive change and create long-term opportunities in the Global South. Currently, I’m pursuing a double master’s degree in Business Administration & Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen and Tsinghua University. My academic background provides me with a structured, analytical approach and a strong focus on numbers, but what drives me most is working together to make a tangible impact. If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please feel free to reach out.
Board Members:
Daniel Schreiber
Hi, I'm also Daniel, 21 years old, and I study Natural Sciences in Information Society at TU Berlin. I have been with SOG since mid-2023. I started in the IT department and was then elected to the board in 2024 as a member responsible for members. I look forward to accompanying and supporting the association here in the coming year and making the world a little bit better. I am the contact person for all members of the association. Just write to me!
Triantafillia Pepe
Hi, my name is Triantafillia, but I am often called Filia or Filitsa, I am 22 years old and studying for a Master's in Sustainability Science, Policy and Society in Maastricht. Before that, I did my bachelor's in Frankfurt, which is how I came across the Frankfurt local group in 2022. Since March 2024, I have also been working as a project coordinator for the West Bank project, which is very close to my heart. Now I am looking forward to supporting the association in program management in the coming year to promote existing projects and help new ones emerge.
Current Advisory Board
Tim Heucke, Katharina Batzing, Hendrikje Rost, Simon Weber
Current Auditing Committee
Emil Hofmann, Julia Hellmig
Previous Appointments
See Archive: Boards, Advisory Boards and Auditing Committees