Overath (rie). “We want to make connections and raise our profile,” says Dagmar Frebert of Café Grenzenlos in Bergisch Gladbach when asked why she is attending the “Marktplatz Gute Geschäfte” event for the first time, alongside Andrea Kowalski-Brüwer from the Inklusion and CBEF organizations in Bergisch Gladbach. This is already the fourth time Ali Misini from die Platte e.V. in Bergisch Gladbach has participated in this event.

Volunteer organizations and companies have gathered at the Kulturbahnhof to exchange valuable knowledge as a commodity. Doris Richter from the Rembold Foundation, which has been the main sponsor of this event for years: “No money changes hands at this event.” During the so-called ‘speed dating’ session, which lasts over an hour, working time and manpower, as well as expertise—such as support with IT issues—are arranged. Dr. Rembold awards the best collaborations with a cash prize of 200 euros each.”

Christian Gollmer, district director of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband, and Tanja Siebert, executive director of AMAIDI International, are pleased that the event resulted in commitments totaling 23,600 euros and 125 volunteer hours. Eleven nonprofit organizations and six companies participated in the event. According to patron and District Administrator Arne von Bötticher, establishing strong networks and solidarity are important priorities.

Following the event, which took place in Odenthal in 2025, the Dr. Rembold Foundation awarded grants of 200 euros each to: the YMCA in cooperation with “Tanzen mit Friede” (Hoffmann), the Villa Löwenzahn daycare center in cooperation with Katha Arndt (resilience trainer), and the parents’ initiative for children with heart conditions together with seamstress Maria Theresia Wolff of phantasiali Stoffe.

The “Marktplatz Gute Geschäfte” initiative is fostering new partnerships between the volunteer sector and the business community

Overath -No money, no honey. That’s true most of the time, for most things in life. But money doesn’t always have to be a factor in good business, as demonstrated by the “Marktplatz Gute Geschäfte” event, which took place for the fifth time this year in the Rheinisch-Bergisch district. Last Thursday, regional nonprofit organizations and businesses gathered at the Overath Kulturbahnhof to explore how they could help one another.

“”Without money” doesn’t mean “without value”—here, networks, knowledge, and commitment are exchanged,” says Tanja Siebert, Executive Director of AMAIDI International gGmbH

The marketplace was organized by Tanja Siebert, executive director of the nonprofit organization AMAIDI International in Overath, and Christian Gollmer, district group director of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband NRW. The two have been hosting the event since 2019. “In even-numbered years, the marketplace takes place in Overath, and in odd-numbered years in Altenberg,” explains Siebert. This makes the event easily accessible for the various companies and organizations in the district. This year, eleven nonprofit organizations and six companies participated. This means participation was lower than in previous years. “We received feedback from the organizations and companies that they would have liked to participate. However, due to the tense and uncertain economic situation, they are being cautious and are focused on other issues,” says Siebert.

And what are people usually looking for? “Clubs typically need support in the digital realm, such as with web design or social media,” Siebert knows from experience. Companies are looking for different things; most often, they offer in return what constitutes their core business expertise.

Both sides can offer all sorts of things. This includes sharing knowledge or networks, but also providing work materials or manpower. In a speed-dating session, for which they have one hour, the parties can set out to find a partner.

Dr. Jürgen Rembold, founder of the Rembold Foundation, presented awards to the top three partnerships of 2025. Each nonprofit organization received a prize of 200 euros. The winners were the CVJM Bergisch Gladbach, the parents’ association of the Villa Löwenzahn daycare center in Rösrath, and the parents’ initiative for children with heart conditions in Cologne. Members of the CVJM participated in a motivational workshop led by Frederike Hofmann, founder of the company “Tanzen mit Friede.” Katha Arndt, a coach and trainer, conducted a resilience training session for the entire team at the Villa Löwenzahn daycare center to help them achieve a less stressful daily routine. Tailor Maria-Theresia Wolff, owner of “Phantasiali Stoffe,” sewed special wrap shirts for children who have to stay in the hospital together with members of the parents’ initiative for children with heart conditions.

The idea for this award came from Rembold himself. “I thought it would be a shame if the negotiations came to nothing. And to show what has come of them and to recognize that the agreements were honored, I wanted to take a look back at them,” explains Rembold, whose foundation also serves as the main sponsor of the marketplace, alongside the Kreissparkasse Köln. Since the foundation exclusively supports civic engagement, the marketplace fits perfectly into its mission. In his speech at the award ceremony, the founder noted that “the best investment with low risk is a donation.”

Claudia Eggert and Beate Wegner from the Cologne Parents’ Initiative for Children with Heart Disease are participating for the fourth time this year. “You can’t always predict what you’ll need, but we’re always looking for help,” says Eggert. Whether it’s coaching for parents or sports programs for children—some of whom have limited mobility—there’s always something to do. It’s helpful to already have the right contacts on hand. “We’re well-connected with other clubs and nonprofit organizations—next year marks our 40th anniversary. Many companies are looking for initiatives they can get involved in,” explains Wegner. That’s where they can help connect the dots.

On the business side, attendees had the chance to meet Katrin Füchsel from Ringana, a cosmetics manufacturer, among others. She was primarily looking to build connections. “I can also offer a large network in return, and I really enjoy organizing events,” says Füchsel. This was her third time attending. Last time, she organized a small trade show at the soapbox derby in Overath as part of a partnership. “I enjoy meeting new people, and strengthening the local network is important to me, especially when it comes to connecting women with one another,” explains Füchsel.

Jörg Schiefer, First Deputy Mayor of Overath, and District Administrator Arne von Boetticher, patron of the event, were also in attendance. The latter addressed the participants with a few words of welcome. “Volunteer work is a cornerstone of our district that deserves our support. And fortunately, we have companies that are willing to step up and take on this responsibility.”

As AMAIDI announced in a press release following the event, agreements totaling more than 23,600 euros and 125 volunteer hours were secured this year.

In addition to associations and companies, a delegation from Uganda was also in attendance, including AMAIDI directors Mamerito Ssenfuma and Sula Kakande. As Ssenfuma explained, the purpose of the visit to Overath was to observe how such an event is organized and carried out. This would allow the concept to be adapted for Uganda, so that networks between the business sector and the volunteer community can also be established there.

Other nonprofit organizations from the district represented included: Inclusio Rhein-Berg, Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, CBF – Club for People with Disabilities and Their Friends, and Die Platte in Bergisch Gladbach. On the corporate side, in addition to Ringana, the following were present: the Phantasiali Stoffe tailor shop, Tanzen mit Friede, Marlene Weiner – the training expert, and Rebecca Gollmer – consulting for nonprofit organizations.

VON JANINA ROSSIGNOL, Kölner Stadt Anzeiger

On Monday, twelve companies and 15 non-profit organizations gathered in the “golden hall” of Haus Altenberg. Their common goal: to do “good business” – without any money. During the one-hour negotiation phase, the topic of money was strictly taboo.

The “Good Business” campaign, originally launched by the Bertelsmann Foundation, is an initiative that brings companies and charitable organizations together on so-called “marketplaces” to promote cooperation. Instead of money, commitment flows here in the form of contributions in kind, know-how, manpower and working hours. This is called “networking”.

Michael Becker, Deputy District Administrator, was there for the second time and emphasized: “Networks are particularly important these days. For exchange and mutual support.”

A major supporter of the event, which is organized by Tanja Siebert and Christian Gollmer, is the Dr. Jürgen Rembold Foundation from Rösrath, whose purpose is to promote civic engagement.  Rembold shared from his own experience how valuable a good network can be: “Tanja Siebert has been an active member of our board for some time now”.

This is often worth more than money.

The foundation has awarded a prize in recognition of particularly successful collaborations. The “flotte Kiste” association, supported by Katrin Füchsel from Rigana, the Overath reading promotion organization, accompanied by Maja Supe-Dienes from Dienes Werke, and the “Café Leichtsinn” with her partner Maria Wolff from the “phantasiali” tailoring shop were each awarded 200 euros. They signed the mutual support agreement last year.

Two small and very specific examples from this year’s marketplace: The Christian Association of Young People (CVJM) was looking for space to dry tents. “It’s hard to do that in the garden, there’s not much space and we need dry weather. it would be much easier in a hall,” Sophie and Philipp reported. In return, they offered staff support for an event. Or “Die Kette” e.V., which offers training on mental illness and is looking for better networking opportunities and old electrical appliances.

During the one-hour phase, which took place in the style of speed dating, there was a lot of hustle and bustle. Management consultant Christian Gollmer had suggested beforehand: “Please don’t block your conversation partner for too long, others may also want to talk to them.” Finally, the agreements were recorded in writing. This contains the exact project dates and times, the number of employees involved, the estimated working hours and the expenditure for value and material resources.

At the bottom is the signature, as in a legally valid contract. The “notary” checks the agreements and signs them. It is important that everyone agrees that the provision of a service is not dependent on the provision of a service in return.

Tanja Siebert from the non-profit and globally operating AMAIDI International gGmbH suggests following the results on the website or on Instagram.

She is also pleased that, in addition to the Rembold Foundation, the Kreissparkasse Köln, the Rheinisch-Bergische Kreis, the municipality of Odenthal and Haus Altenberg are also supporting the campaign.

Read more in “Review: Week of Civic Involvement 2019” on page 24.

ENGAGEMENT Tanja Siebert is well-versed in dealing with widely ramified organizations. Through her former work for an internationally active logistics company, she has learned to think in terms of large structures. With a degree in business administration, she introduced a uniform IT system in many countries for her employer, and lived and worked there. This meant that she was already in a management position at a young age.

Siebert can now use this experience for a new professional task. Since 2014, she has been involved as managing partner for the social enterprise Amaidi, which organizes volunteer services worldwide. The goal is to promote development. Amaidi offers projects that create livelihoods for people, environmental or educational projects.

The fact that she has been dealing with international structures for a long time can now be used by Siebert for a social cause: “Now I’m doing something with meaning.” Amaidi is organized as a nonprofit limited liability company, and the company works “not for profit, but for impact,” as Siebert explains. That also corresponds to her personal priorities. She has to earn a living, she says, but does not strive for the highest possible salary.

“I’ve always wanted to shape things,” she says, explaining her decision to get involved with Amaidi. She does not focus on grand theoretical designs, but on well-functioning organization and meaningful projects. “I want to implement the pragmatic. If you use knowledge and technologies in the right way, you can make a lot of things happen.”

Siebert wants to help narrow the gap between the “very saturated lifestyles” in industrialized countries and the world’s less developed regions. That could also prevent future refugee flows, he said. Education is a crucial starting point, he says: “If one project gets 50 kids to enjoy English, a foundation is laid.”

Amaidi has been active since 2003, when Dutchman Camille van Neer founded the nonprofit network in Chennai, India. The name “Amaidi,” which translates as “freedom,” also comes from India. Siebert got to know and appreciate van Neer’s work. It turned out that she was looking for a new task when van Neer wanted to hand over his responsibility for Amaidi. So since 2014, Amaidi has been operating as a non-profit GmbH from Siebert’s home in Rösrath-Kleineichen. More than 50 employees worldwide work for Amaidi – on a fee basis. With clear structures and guidelines, this can be organized, explains Siebert; contacts work via the Internet. “I’m used to leading virtual teams.” Not having an office saves administrative costs. The necessary office work is done by a volunteer from Kleineichen, a retired executive secretary.

Her efforts are exemplary of what Amaidi is striving for: Professionally experienced volunteers are to use their professional know-how for development projects. The idea is not only to have volunteers spend months in faraway countries, but also to provide services after work or on a weekday. Many things are conceivable – contributions from IT specialists, managers, technicians, doctors or educators.

Because these professionals usually have little time in addition to their jobs, Siebert also wants to attract companies to Amaidi. These could release employees for a few working hours and thus promote a social cause. Siebert believes that companies can submit their requirements to Amaidi and suitable projects can be found. Of course, projects in sabbatical years are also conceivable.

Apart from the switching of vocationally experienced Freiwilligen Amaidi sends also young people, who terminated straight only the school, to international employments. For the first time, a volunteer from Rösrath has just left for a work assignment: she is helping to improve the English of children in Vietnam. It’s not about lessons, but an afternoon program with games. Up to now, volunteers have paid a placement fee, as well as their travel expenses and living costs on site. If desired, Amaidi will help fundraise for a personal placement; donations are tax deductible. Siebert hopes that in the long run it will be possible to cover the costs of volunteers. That could be accomplished through government grants or sponsors. At present, around 40 volunteers are active in Amaidi projects. Tanja Siebert wants to expand the activities in the future. “That’s my goal,” she says resolutely. “I’m not afraid of it.”

If you use knowledge and technologies in the right way, you can make a lot of difference

Author: THOMAS RAUSCH (KSTA)

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