Astrid Gabler, chairwoman of the board at the Patrizia Foundation, explains how it is helping disadvantaged children across the world.

The Patrizia Foundation is launching the PRIME25 Alliance to mark its 25th anniversary. Can you tell us more about the vision behind this initiative?

The PRIME25 Alliance is a groundbreaking initiative designed to unite 25 influential leaders from medium-sized businesses who are committed to making a sustainable social impact. PRIME stands for Partnership for Responsible Impact and Mentorship, and our goal is to positively influence the lives of one million children and young people worldwide by 2030 through access to quality education, healthcare and protection.

What makes the PRIME25 Alliance unique compared to other philanthropic initiatives?

What sets PRIME25 Alliance apart is its structured, systemic approach that combines philanthropic engagement with business excellence. Each member commits to an annual donation of €25,000. However, it’s not just about financial contributions – it’s about leveraging collective expertise and networks.

Each year, members jointly decide on which new project to support, ensuring that funds are directed effectively for maximum social impact. The alliance is built on transparency, continuous communication, and impact monitoring, with projects being reviewed annually for 25 years. This long-term perspective ensures sustainable change.

What are the benefits for the businesses that join the PRIME25 Alliance?

The alliance fosters knowledge exchange through quarterly workshops and events that deal with topics around ESG and sustainability, where members share best practice, discuss challenges, and explore innovative solutions. It also strengthens their employer brand, market position, and overall visibility.

‘Social responsibility is no longer just a nice-to-have – it is a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent, particularly among younger generations.’

Astrid Gabler, Patrizia Foundation

Social responsibility is no longer just a nice-to-have – it is a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent, particularly among younger generations. Today’s workforce expects companies to take an active role in social and environmental issues. Being part of PRIME25 makes a company more attractive for investors and trustworthy for customers, and also enhances its credibility and helps it attract the best employees.

Speaking of younger generations, how does PRIME25 address the expectations of Gen Z in the workplace?

Generation Z places great emphasis on work-life balance and the ethical values of their employers. According to Deloitte’s  2023 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, this generation expects companies to actively engage in social and environmental issues.

Through the PRIME25 Alliance, businesses can authentically integrate sustainability into their corporate strategy – not just through theoretical frameworks, but with real-world implementation and measurable impact. This helps companies meet the evolving expectations of their workforce while creating meaningful social change.

The first project supported by the PRIME25 Alliance is the Patrizia KinderHaus in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Why was this project chosen?

The KinderHaus project in Mymensingh was selected because it directly aligns with our mission of providing education to children from disadvantaged communities as well as being a perfect example of refinancing through co-income. The KinderHaus facility accommodates up to 100 children between 18 months and six years old.

Children from extremely poor families have the chance to grow up in a safe space and learn in a healthy environment. The child-centred concept Essence of Learning (EoL) addresses the specific needs of children growing up in crisis contexts and facing the challenges of extreme poverty.

The multistorey building, sustainably constructed of sun-dried eco-bricks, will also house three rental apartments, a vocational training centre for sewing and IT professions, a health centre, a pharmacy, and a shop selling organic products from a local farmers’ cooperative. Future rental income will cover a significant portion of the daycare centre’s operating costs, allowing our local project partner to achieve financial autonomy.

This project aligns with our vision of empowering children and young people to take control of their lives through access to education.

What does the future hold for the PRIME25 Alliance?

By aligning business success with social responsibility, we are not only transforming lives, but reshaping how companies engage with global challenges. The Patrizia Foundation ensures the sustainability of every project through its long-term commitment.

Our projects are always accompanied over 25 years with selected local partners and international donors. Our guiding principle is “Think globally, act locally – do good and be great”, and we are excited to see the impact PRIME25 will have in the years to come.

How can companies realise their own project with the Patrizia Foundation?

Implementing a tailored Patrizia KinderHaus project is a highly flexible and individual process. The Patrizia Foundation offers a diverse range of engagement opportunities for companies, allowing them to define the scope of their involvement based on their strategic objectives. Organisations have the freedom to choose the location of their engagement and decide whether to integrate employees into the initiative.

A key principle is that every donation directly supports the selected project, ensuring both social impact and corporate benefits. Beyond making a meaningful contribution, companies that engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) distinguish themselves as responsible employers, gaining a competitive advantage.

Involving employees in social initiatives fosters a deeper sense of purpose and commitment, while CSR efforts enhance customer loyalty, strengthen brand reputation, and drive long-term business growth. To maximise impact, targeted marketing materials effectively communicate corporate social engagement to key stakeholders.

Corporate donations represent not only an act of generosity, they are a strategic investment in long-term innovation and competitiveness. Social responsibility benefits all stakeholders and serves as a foundation for sustainable business success.

The Patrizia Foundation provides comprehensive support in aligning social engagement with corporate goals, ensuring that projects are implemented efficiently, transparently, and sustainably. Every contribution is directed entirely to the chosen initiative, guaranteeing maximum impact.

For more information contact Astrid Gabler, chairwoman of the Foundation Board at the Patrizia Foundation. Tel: +49 821 50910-474; [email protected]

Impact in action

This is Mala. She lives with her mother and brother in a small corrugated iron hut on the outskirts of Mymensingh, Bangladesh. With her father gone, Mala’s mother works tirelessly, often late into the night to provide for her children.

Despite her mother’s hard work, there was never quite enough. Meals were scarce, and Mala spent many afternoons and evenings alone and hungry, waiting for her mother to come home.

Everything changed the day she joined the Patrizia KinderHaus Mymensingh. For the first time, she found a place where she felt safe – where she could play, learn and enjoy a regular hot meal. She loves drawing colourful pictures and joining the other children in singing songs.

Mala’s story is one example of many others and shows what can be achieved when people show solidarity. The KinderHaus in Mymensingh is a place for a better future – at least for a generation of children. With the support of her teachers and the stability of the KinderHaus, Mala’s future looks brighter than ever. She dreams of becoming a teacher one day – to help other children, just as she was helped herself.

About the Patrizia Foundation

The Patrizia Foundation was established in 1999 by Wolfgang Egger, founder of Patrizia SE, and has since given 750,000 children and young people around the world access to high-quality education, healthcare and protection to give them the chance to lead a self-determined life in freedom. Since 1999, 25 KinderHaus projects have been opened worldwide in 15 countries on five continents. The foundation’s goal is to reach one million children and young people worldwide by 2030.

The Patrizia Foundation works with local partners to build and operate schools, training centres, children’s hospitals and other infrastructure to develop sustainable social structures. The foundation guarantees that 100% of donations go to the KinderHaus projects and benefit disadvantaged children and young people. All KinderHaus projects are supported by the foundation for at least 25 years.

In 2024, the Patrizia Foundation expanded to the UK – supported by Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber – and launched the PRIME25 Alliance in its anniversary year. This is an association of medium-sized companies that are socially committed and at the same time benefit from expertise in ESG and corporate volunteering.

For more information visit https://www.patrizia.foundation/en/