About us

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung (hbs), a non-profit organisation, is part of the global Green movement headquartered in Berlin Germany, with a footprint in over 30 countries.   Nobel Prize Laureate Heinrich Theodore Böll (1917-1985), for whom the foundation is named, was one of the most important writers of the post-war period. His life, work and beliefs shape the values of autonomy; freewill, individually founded partiality that eludes pre-formed lines of thought.   For Heinrich Böll, freedom began in the mind.   The hbs tenets are anchored on ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self-determination and justice. We place particular emphasis on gender democracy, meaning social emancipation and equal rights for all genders.   The hbs Nairobi Office, opened in 2001 during the climax of multiparty politics in East Africa, served the East and Horn of Africa region then including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Somalia/Somaliland. In 2021, hbs opened a new office for the Horn of Africa focusing on Somalia/Somaliland, Ethiopia and Sudan while the Nairobi office focuses on Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania programmes.   The hbs Nairobi office programme seeks to advance progressive political and socio-economic transformation through its thematic focus on Sustainable Development, Gender Democracy, Dialogue and Civic Spaces, Agroecology and Food Rights.   To amplify our programme work, we support coordinated civic engagement and political/policy dialogues, research, publications and strategic communication.                                                       “Meddling is the only way to stay relevant”…Heinrich Boell