Social commitment
From the region, for the region
As a company, we have close ties to central and eastern Germany, in particular to the city of Leipzig. This rootedness is multi-facetted: For VNG, being a socially responsible operator means that we are firmly committed to the future of the energy system and to secure jobs, including in view of the potential from decarbonisation, particularly in the former East German states. We want to grasp these opportunities as one of the leading energy companies in the region.
In addition, being socially responsible also means that we identify with the region, beyond the business, that we support initiatives and projects, and are active for the common good in collaboration with institutions and citizens. After all, wide-ranging social commitment has been part of the DNA of VNG since the very beginning.
For Open-mindedness and democracy
The basis for a sustainable energy supply is a stable political, social and economic framework that enables Germany to be an internationally attractive and competitive location. A functioning democracy and the free and pluralistic competition of opinions and ideas are essential for us to fulfil our social mission of ensuring a secure supply of gas and actively driving forward the energy transition.
Bodo Rodestock
Member of the Executive Board, Finance & HR
Helping the helpers – together for the community
At the forefront of our social commitment are the VNG Foundation and the volunteer initiative ‘Verbundnetz der Wärme’ (VdW), which is supported by the Foundation. Voluntary work often remains invisible, although it is a cornerstone of our society. That is why VNG founded the VdW in 2001. Its aim is to promote social commitment and volunteering in eastern Germany so that such projects can contribute to solving social challenges.
In addition to a wide range of initiatives carried out throughout the year, the VNG Foundation awards its annual ‘Engagementpreis’ to non-profit organisations. The award, endowed with €5,000, is given to five associations from eastern Germany in the five volunteering areas of the 'Verbundnetz der Wärme'. Since 2024, the VNG Foundation has also been part of the Zukunftswege Ost (‘Way Forward East’) Community Initiative under the patronage of the Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany. One of the aims of the project is to strengthen civil society in the long term, particularly in the rural areas of eastern Germany.
In 2024, the VNG Foundation celebrates its 15th anniversary – and thus 15 years of commitment to the welfare in eastern Germany.
VNG Foundation
The majority of our initiatives have been brought together under the VNG Foundation since 2009. The VNG Foundation actively supports the areas of Civil Society & Welfare, Democracy & Cohesion, Art & Culture as well as Popular Sport & Health in the region of eastern Germany. The main purposes of the VNG Foundation are to strengthen the welfare in eastern Germany, to recognise voluntary work and to promote the creation of new foundations in the region.
The initiative Verbundnetz der Wärme has been strengthening the social recognition of voluntary work since 2001.
Strong scientific cooperation
State-of-the-art research, high-performance universities, and the rapid transfer of know-how to companies are also key to shaping transformation processes. This makes it even more important for the scientific community, the corporate sector, and the civil society to work closely together to shape the transformation in Central and Eastern Germany. To this end, we have been cooperating for many years with numerous universities and research institutions, including the Leipzig University, the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig), the HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management, the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, the Chemnitz University of Technology, the Dresden University of Technology, the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, the Merseburg University of Applied Sciences and the University of Rostock. We support degree programs, award scholarships, and participate in a wide range of studies and research projects.
Through the Central German Foundation for Science and Education (‘Mitteldeutsche Stiftung Wissenschaft und Bildung’), we support young students from central Germany by awarding Germany Scholarships (‘Deutschlandstipendien’). We also support young women by awarding scholarships at the HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management. We maintain close cooperation with the Leipzig University, where the VNG Foundations are actively involved in the University Association.
The Central German Foundation for Science and Education
In 2024, we established the Central German Foundation for Science and Education with the aim of strengthening our existing activities in this area as well as developing new formats and projects. The Central German Foundation for Science and Education promotes scientific exchange between universities, colleges and research institutions with the private sector and the civil society in Central Germany.
Through the Central German Foundation for Science and Education, we support outstanding students from universities in Central Germany by awarding Germany Scholarships (‘Deutschlandstipendien’), which are also intended to serve as an instrument for attracting and retaining skilled workers in the region.
VNGart – sign of the times
The promotion of East German art has played an important role at VNG since the 1990s. The company regularly creates a forum for regional artists to ex-change ideas and present their work to the public through collections of young East German visual art and photography, calendars, exhibitions and books. Through these activities, VNG aims to promote the development of creative industries in eastern Germany and make a lasting contribution to the documentation of the transformation process after German reunification. The works are also integrated into the architecture and furnishings at the company’s headquarters, creating a prestigious backdrop and a unique working atmosphere. Today, the VNGart art collection comprises over 1,100 works of art, including 220 paintings and drawings and more than 890 photographs.