What is Money?
There are many “schools” about the nature of money.
Money can be seen as a right to produce (through a loan for example), or to buy something for consumption.
For us, it is important to make the distinction between loan (e.g for productive investment) and gift money – a factor of freedom (in its using) – for example in the cultural domain.
Away from speculation, money should always be a way to enrich our society by producing goods or services corresponding to a need, in a non aggressive way (cf. protection of environment).
We should never try to make money through money!
Nor should we strive to possess land or housing, in the intention to sell it back with a profit.
The Sophia foundation is striving to practice “ethical (or ”social”) finance” (see books) as initiated, in Europe in the 70’s. There was as strong will, nearly in every European country to create “normal banks”, with strong values and principles, and non-profit practices.
More detail in: Book references
see also ISB (Institute for Social Banking). - www.social-banking.org
Money can be seen as a right to produce (through a loan for example), or to buy something for consumption.
For us, it is important to make the distinction between loan (e.g for productive investment) and gift money – a factor of freedom (in its using) – for example in the cultural domain.
Away from speculation, money should always be a way to enrich our society by producing goods or services corresponding to a need, in a non aggressive way (cf. protection of environment).
We should never try to make money through money!
Nor should we strive to possess land or housing, in the intention to sell it back with a profit.
The Sophia foundation is striving to practice “ethical (or ”social”) finance” (see books) as initiated, in Europe in the 70’s. There was as strong will, nearly in every European country to create “normal banks”, with strong values and principles, and non-profit practices.
More detail in: Book references
see also ISB (Institute for Social Banking). - www.social-banking.org
Book references
- Money, Money, …Values, JP Caron, translated and published by Nairina Publishing under the title” Гроші, Гроші,.. етика (Buy a book)
- Money for a better World , R. Mees - published by Hawthorn Press
- Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego-System to Eco-System Economics, C. Otto Scharmer & Katrin Kaufer - Berrett-Koehler Publishers
- Money for a better World , R. Mees - published by Hawthorn Press
- Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego-System to Eco-System Economics, C. Otto Scharmer & Katrin Kaufer - Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Strategic axes of the Sophia foundation
We love supporting projects such as :
Agriculture
- Regenerative agriculture (organic, biodynamic, permaculture, etc.)
- GMO-free seeds
- « Access to Land » projects (through foundations - Terre de Liens model concept)
- Projects that promote biodiversity
- Soil Regeneration
- C.S.A. (Community Supported Agriculture)
- GMO-free seeds
- « Access to Land » projects (through foundations - Terre de Liens model concept)
- Projects that promote biodiversity
- Soil Regeneration
- C.S.A. (Community Supported Agriculture)
Regenerative economy
- Renewable forms of energy
- Circular economy (recycling and depolluting)
- « Economy of the Common Good »
- New forms of social finance
- Reviving traditional forms of craftsmanship and integrating them as workshops
- Circular economy (recycling and depolluting)
- « Economy of the Common Good »
- New forms of social finance
- Reviving traditional forms of craftsmanship and integrating them as workshops
Social projects
- Projects that promote/support rehabilitation, inclusion, integration and adaptation (jobs for refugees, disabled people, war-affected people (trauma therapy) in Ukraine.
- Socio-educational homes (inclusive education for disabled children)
- Projects that strengthen solidarity and civil society ways of living together
- Projects to promote social forms of society (individual/shared forms of living)
- Social-ethical stores (solidarity grocery stores,…)
- Food bank
- Socio-educational homes (inclusive education for disabled children)
- Projects that strengthen solidarity and civil society ways of living together
- Projects to promote social forms of society (individual/shared forms of living)
- Social-ethical stores (solidarity grocery stores,…)
- Food bank
Medicine
- Regenerative and integrative medicine
- Natural medicines
- Trauma therapy
- Natural medicines
- Trauma therapy
Education & Training
- Schools with regenerative education concepts (alternative schools)
- Seminars that provide information and train professionals in the field of regeneration and
healthy individual and social development
- Seminars that provide information and train professionals in the field of regeneration and
healthy individual and social development
Culture
- Projects supporting cultural impulses (art, etc.)
- Projects for peace
- Projects for peace
SOPHIA FOUNDATION - Report 2024
Here you can download and read the fund's activity report for 2024.
Activity
What do we finance ?
We want to finance organizations or news initiatives that have certain characteristics.
In short we finance: (see also Mission & objectives)
Projects that are carried in an altruistic (selfless) way
Projects that have a strong interest for the community (for our society)
Projects with a positive impact on nature
Projects that contribute to good and responsible education
Projects which can be profitable in the long term
Projects that fit to the personality of the bearer(s)
How do we work ?
We pay attention much to the person(s) who bring (carry) the project
We strive to make visits, have many discussions and spend time to give advices, if necessary, so that the project becomes mature
We distinguish between need for money from donations or for loan money
We eventually work on the business plan that is presented to us
We try to practice “ethical finance” (see also Book references)
We take all the decisions for gifts or loans after a collegial discussion in the Board (link Board)
We adapt interests rates to the nature of the project
We pay much attention to the question of guarantee (possibly with a community of people), and, if possible, of non-material guaranties (for loans)
Important information: During this period of war, we changed our role, helping also
individually many people (emergency financial aid) (see Report for 2024) remain valid (see creation)
We want to finance organizations or news initiatives that have certain characteristics.
In short we finance: (see also Mission & objectives)
Projects that are carried in an altruistic (selfless) way
Projects that have a strong interest for the community (for our society)
Projects with a positive impact on nature
Projects that contribute to good and responsible education
Projects which can be profitable in the long term
Projects that fit to the personality of the bearer(s)
How do we work ?
We pay attention much to the person(s) who bring (carry) the project
We strive to make visits, have many discussions and spend time to give advices, if necessary, so that the project becomes mature
We distinguish between need for money from donations or for loan money
We eventually work on the business plan that is presented to us
We try to practice “ethical finance” (see also Book references)
We take all the decisions for gifts or loans after a collegial discussion in the Board (link Board)
We adapt interests rates to the nature of the project
We pay much attention to the question of guarantee (possibly with a community of people), and, if possible, of non-material guaranties (for loans)
Important information: During this period of war, we changed our role, helping also
individually many people (emergency financial aid) (see Report for 2024) remain valid (see creation)
Examples:
Projects funded in various sectors
Projects funded in various sectors
STUPENI SCHOOL (Odessa): Special assistance for security in times of war
Exceptional contribution: 6 600€ (donation) (in 2022)
Support for school activities and the ongoing costs of constructing an air-raid shelter – since now mandatory in order to accept children into the school.
COMMON PROJECT: Initiatives for solidarity in the context of the energy shortage"
Donation – 8.500€
Due to frequent power blackouts, resulting from bombings a project was initiated, in 2023, to equip, for free, 6 private schools. Generators and inverters with batteries were purchased (in the Czech Republic), delivered and handed over.
“CONSONANCES” Center: A therapeutically musical experience for migrants
Donation : 720€ (2022) + 5 500€ in 2023
In 2022, as many migrants – especially from Mykolaev and Kherson – were moving to Odessa, a group of music and art teachers created the "Consonances" Center, to teach music to those children.
NAIRI Publishing (Kiev) : Sustaining the publishing of new books
Donation (1850€) - then 3 years credit of 8500€
This Publisher needed help to recover from the difficulties of this 2022 period; because of decrease in turn-over. This grant will help to continue the activities and finance, for example, the next book to appear. A donation has also been made in 2024.
POKUTTSKAYA Ceramics (Gorodenka): Help for the acquisition of a new company
4 years credit of 15 000€
A possibility of acquisition was financed. This company produces ceramic items, but also decided, in its business model, to sustain Waldorf education in the city, through a monthly contribution.
GOOD FOOD – Bakery (Kiev): Helping integrating handicapped young people
Donation : 485€
Partial assistance in installing the heating and air conditioning system for the premises of a social hub - a bakery and a center that works with young adults with developmental disabilities.
ASSOCIATION FOR BIODYNAMICS (in Ukraine): Fostering sustainable agriculture
Donation : 5085€
Contribution to the implementation of educational and pedagogical activities, concerning “biodynamics” - a kind of ecological (regenerative) agriculture.
Odessa region : Gift for development of permaculture
Donation: 1300€ (2025)
We financed the training for a farmer, already experienced, wanting to offer trainings in order to developpermaculture in the region.
Exceptional contribution: 6 600€ (donation) (in 2022)
Support for school activities and the ongoing costs of constructing an air-raid shelter – since now mandatory in order to accept children into the school.
COMMON PROJECT: Initiatives for solidarity in the context of the energy shortage"
Donation – 8.500€
Due to frequent power blackouts, resulting from bombings a project was initiated, in 2023, to equip, for free, 6 private schools. Generators and inverters with batteries were purchased (in the Czech Republic), delivered and handed over.
“CONSONANCES” Center: A therapeutically musical experience for migrants
Donation : 720€ (2022) + 5 500€ in 2023
In 2022, as many migrants – especially from Mykolaev and Kherson – were moving to Odessa, a group of music and art teachers created the "Consonances" Center, to teach music to those children.
NAIRI Publishing (Kiev) : Sustaining the publishing of new books
Donation (1850€) - then 3 years credit of 8500€
This Publisher needed help to recover from the difficulties of this 2022 period; because of decrease in turn-over. This grant will help to continue the activities and finance, for example, the next book to appear. A donation has also been made in 2024.
POKUTTSKAYA Ceramics (Gorodenka): Help for the acquisition of a new company
4 years credit of 15 000€
A possibility of acquisition was financed. This company produces ceramic items, but also decided, in its business model, to sustain Waldorf education in the city, through a monthly contribution.
GOOD FOOD – Bakery (Kiev): Helping integrating handicapped young people
Donation : 485€
Partial assistance in installing the heating and air conditioning system for the premises of a social hub - a bakery and a center that works with young adults with developmental disabilities.
ASSOCIATION FOR BIODYNAMICS (in Ukraine): Fostering sustainable agriculture
Donation : 5085€
Contribution to the implementation of educational and pedagogical activities, concerning “biodynamics” - a kind of ecological (regenerative) agriculture.
Odessa region : Gift for development of permaculture
Donation: 1300€ (2025)
We financed the training for a farmer, already experienced, wanting to offer trainings in order to developpermaculture in the region.
A few stories...
Here you can download and read the some examples of Aid (2022 & 2023)