Topic: Environment and Sustainability Environmental issues have always been of central importance to the Greens and to the Heinrich Boell Stiftung. Equally important, has been the connections and links made to social and economic issues, creating a holistic vision of society and sustainability. Our work therefore in Israel focuses on climate and energy policy, green economy and smart growth, urban resilience and sustainable communities. We and our partners work with decision makers on the local and national levels in the areas of advocacy, policy development, capacity building and environmental innovation. The foundation supports a variety of Israeli environmental and social organizations, which over the last decade, strive to have a growing impact on policy and society. For more information please contact Elisheva Gilad: Elisheva.Gilad@il.boell.org What is Climate-Smart Agriculture? Explainer Climate change, food security, and agriculture are deeply interconnected. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) tackles the challenges of climate change by reducing emissions, boosting resilience, and enhancing productivity. Green Hydrogen: The Future of the Global Energy Transition? Explainer What is green hydrogen, and how is it produced? How can it decarbonize industries and transportation? What are its main challenges? How does it compare to blue hydrogen? What impact will it have on the energy transition? By Karin Jensen Topic: Democracy Our Gender and Democracy program seeks to enhance a comprehensive democracy that provides an inclusive, participatory system that ensures full civil and human rights.Realizing that gender is a fundamental factor in shaping societies, we try to promote a political culture that prioritizes Gender Democracy values and practices on all levels. October 7th – Western Negev Artists Calendar The October 7th horrific attack on southern Israel left the cities, villages and Kibutzim of the Western Negev area with tearing grief, loss and trauma. The 2024-2025 art calendar, produced by hbs's partner Umm Culture association, provides a glimpse to personal, symbolic interpretations of the local reality before and after October 7th, as well as a space for reflection and rehabilitation. Is the DSA Revolutionizing Algorithmic Risk Governance? Explainer Online platforms shape communication but face moderation challenges. The DSA introduces risk governance for platforms to improve online safety. What are the DSA's procedures and impact? By Christian Djeffal Foreign and regional security policy In the Regional and Security Policy program, our focus is on developing alternative political options and strategies that will contribute to the Palestinian – Israeli conflict resolution process. In addition, we work to contribute to the development a comprehensive regional security strategy for Israel. An Algorithm for Peace? AI in International Peace Mediation Commentary AI in the context of international conflict is more likely to be associated with lethal autonomous weapons (LAWS) on the battlefield. Hiding on the other side of that coin are, however, rewarding questions regarding AI’s possible contribution to peace. By Katharina Höne Energy Security and Affordability in the European Union Backgrounder Since the 1970s oil crisis, energy security has evolved to address climate change, globalization, and decarbonization. This overview examines the EU's evolving concept of energy security. By Martina Pilloni Topic: German-Israeli Dialogue The German-Israeli dialogue Program is set up to contribute to a strong German-Israeli relationship that is based on a realistic perception and mutual understanding of the past as well as present. It works towards the benefit of shared democratic values in both countries, bringing together opinion leaders from Israel and Germany from the fields of politics, academia and the media, civil society and art. The activities (conferences, workshops, roundtable discussions, festivals, publications) are conducted to provide a deeper understanding of the challenges both countries face as modern societies and nation states, such as dealing with citizenship and belonging in a multicultural society. Moreover it aims to identify elements from experiences of reconciliation and conflict resolution from Europe for possible joint contributions to local conflict resolution In remembrance of Antonie Nord We deeply mourn the loss of our esteemed colleague Dr Antonie Katharina Nord, who passed away on 18 May 2025 after a long illness. In various roles, most recently as head of the international division, Antonie shaped the work of the Heinrich Böll Foundation like few others. With her death, the foundation has lost an impressive leader and a clever strategist, but above all, a humorous and warm-hearted human being. We are struggling to comprehend this profound loss. What Role does the Grid System Play in the Energy Transition Process? Explainer This text discusses the grid system's essential role in sustainable economic and societal transformation, focusing on grid development in the energy transition, including its components, challenges, innovations, and future solutions. By Andrzej Ceglarz
Topic: Environment and Sustainability Environmental issues have always been of central importance to the Greens and to the Heinrich Boell Stiftung. Equally important, has been the connections and links made to social and economic issues, creating a holistic vision of society and sustainability. Our work therefore in Israel focuses on climate and energy policy, green economy and smart growth, urban resilience and sustainable communities. We and our partners work with decision makers on the local and national levels in the areas of advocacy, policy development, capacity building and environmental innovation. The foundation supports a variety of Israeli environmental and social organizations, which over the last decade, strive to have a growing impact on policy and society. For more information please contact Elisheva Gilad: Elisheva.Gilad@il.boell.org
What is Climate-Smart Agriculture? Explainer Climate change, food security, and agriculture are deeply interconnected. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) tackles the challenges of climate change by reducing emissions, boosting resilience, and enhancing productivity.
Green Hydrogen: The Future of the Global Energy Transition? Explainer What is green hydrogen, and how is it produced? How can it decarbonize industries and transportation? What are its main challenges? How does it compare to blue hydrogen? What impact will it have on the energy transition? By Karin Jensen
Topic: Democracy Our Gender and Democracy program seeks to enhance a comprehensive democracy that provides an inclusive, participatory system that ensures full civil and human rights.Realizing that gender is a fundamental factor in shaping societies, we try to promote a political culture that prioritizes Gender Democracy values and practices on all levels.
October 7th – Western Negev Artists Calendar The October 7th horrific attack on southern Israel left the cities, villages and Kibutzim of the Western Negev area with tearing grief, loss and trauma. The 2024-2025 art calendar, produced by hbs's partner Umm Culture association, provides a glimpse to personal, symbolic interpretations of the local reality before and after October 7th, as well as a space for reflection and rehabilitation.
Is the DSA Revolutionizing Algorithmic Risk Governance? Explainer Online platforms shape communication but face moderation challenges. The DSA introduces risk governance for platforms to improve online safety. What are the DSA's procedures and impact? By Christian Djeffal
Foreign and regional security policy In the Regional and Security Policy program, our focus is on developing alternative political options and strategies that will contribute to the Palestinian – Israeli conflict resolution process. In addition, we work to contribute to the development a comprehensive regional security strategy for Israel.
An Algorithm for Peace? AI in International Peace Mediation Commentary AI in the context of international conflict is more likely to be associated with lethal autonomous weapons (LAWS) on the battlefield. Hiding on the other side of that coin are, however, rewarding questions regarding AI’s possible contribution to peace. By Katharina Höne
Energy Security and Affordability in the European Union Backgrounder Since the 1970s oil crisis, energy security has evolved to address climate change, globalization, and decarbonization. This overview examines the EU's evolving concept of energy security. By Martina Pilloni
Topic: German-Israeli Dialogue The German-Israeli dialogue Program is set up to contribute to a strong German-Israeli relationship that is based on a realistic perception and mutual understanding of the past as well as present. It works towards the benefit of shared democratic values in both countries, bringing together opinion leaders from Israel and Germany from the fields of politics, academia and the media, civil society and art. The activities (conferences, workshops, roundtable discussions, festivals, publications) are conducted to provide a deeper understanding of the challenges both countries face as modern societies and nation states, such as dealing with citizenship and belonging in a multicultural society. Moreover it aims to identify elements from experiences of reconciliation and conflict resolution from Europe for possible joint contributions to local conflict resolution
In remembrance of Antonie Nord We deeply mourn the loss of our esteemed colleague Dr Antonie Katharina Nord, who passed away on 18 May 2025 after a long illness. In various roles, most recently as head of the international division, Antonie shaped the work of the Heinrich Böll Foundation like few others. With her death, the foundation has lost an impressive leader and a clever strategist, but above all, a humorous and warm-hearted human being. We are struggling to comprehend this profound loss.
What Role does the Grid System Play in the Energy Transition Process? Explainer This text discusses the grid system's essential role in sustainable economic and societal transformation, focusing on grid development in the energy transition, including its components, challenges, innovations, and future solutions. By Andrzej Ceglarz
