The office is one among ca. 25 international office of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, the Green Political Foundation affiliated to the German Greens.
The work of hbs Nairobi focuses on three major programme areas:
- womens' rights and gender equity
- ecology and sustainable development
- dialogue and promotion of peace.
Within these programme areas, HBF Nairobi pursues own projects (such as studies and conferences) and supports the work of civil society organizations, especially in Kenya, Somalia/Somaliland and the Sudan. Furthermore, the office supports exchange, networking and advocacy activities among civil society organizations, the media, and government actors throughout the region.
For several years now, the Gender Forum, organised monthly by HBF Nairobi, brings up the gender perspective into current political issues in Kenya. The office's programme promotes the participation of women in political processes and supports organisations working on the problem of violence against women, including a "men-to-men" network of male activists lobbying against gender-based violence and providing support services for violence victims.
Work in the area of ecology and sustainable development focuses on the creation of knowledge, as well as awareness and advocacy work, in the fields of renewable energies, climate change, sustainable food production, and extractive industries.
In co-ordination with the Foundation's country office in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, HBF Nairobi supports the promotion of peace and dialogue and networking processes within countries of the region and beyond boundaries.
Since December 2006, Dr. Axel Harneit-Sievers is the director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation's Regional Office in Nairobi.
