Poverty shapes more than just a child’s present — it casts a shadow over their future. It affects their health, their education, and their belief that they can build a better life. In Germany, where Human Rights Watch reports that 14% of the population is living below the poverty line, Children for a Better World is working to break that cycle.
Since 1994, this Munich-based nonprofit has focused on giving children the support, resources, and voice they need to thrive. Their work goes far beyond meeting basic needs. Through four key programs, they create spaces where children — especially those growing up in poverty — can be heard, involved, and empowered to shape their own futures. Whether it’s through healthy meals, learning opportunities, or youth engagement initiatives, the goal is always the same: to help kids not just survive, but lead.
We gained valuable insights into our processes through this project. It’s knowledge we’ll benefit from for years to come, and it gives us real confidence when presenting future decisions to our boardDr Anna Rachlitz, Managing Director, Children for a Better World
To help sharpen that mission and ensure it remains sustainable, our team in the Munich office partnered once again with Children for a Better World — building on the success of our earlier collaboration — to deliver a strategic project focused on long-term planning. The idea was to help the organization better understand where it’s headed, and how to get there.
Together, we explored a range of future scenarios, considering both potential opportunities and risks. These weren’t abstract forecasts; they were practical tools the leadership team could use to test their current approach and prepare for what’s next. Along the way, we uncovered areas of untapped potential and made recommendations to streamline internal processes and create more clarity across all four programs.
This was my second project with Children for a Better World, and it really strengthened our relationship with the board. We were able to build trust and show that we are a reliable partner delivering strong, meaningful resultsJens Torchalla, Partner, Oliver Wyman
One of the biggest takeaways from the project was alignment. By building a shared understanding of how each part of the organization contributes to the whole, the team is now better equipped to make confident decisions, whether that’s about funding, growth, or daily operations.
Today, Children for a Better World is more focused, more agile, and better prepared to continue doing what it does best: empowering children to realize their potential and become drivers of change in their communities. The challenges are real — but so is the impact. And with a clearer roadmap in place, the organization is poised to make that impact even bigger.
Meeting such a passionate team was inspiring, and seeing how valuable our work was to the management confirmed how meaningful it is to support an organization that empowers young peopleMarie-Luise Graf, Director, 8works
