Solidarity Service International (SODI)
campaigns for a solidary, just and peaceful world, in which natural way of life is preserved. The Solidarity Service is a non-profit association. It is independent of particular political and ideological views. SODI was founded 1990 succeeding the former Solidarity Committee of the GDR. Significant for its constitution and development were its participation in the East German “round-table for development policy” as well as the strong will of its members and donors to advocate international solidarity in a united Germany. Presently, the association has more than 300 members. Furthermore, it is supported by volunteers, grassroot initiatives and donor groups.
In collaboration with the trust law institution (‘Treuhandanstalt’) and the “Independent Investigation Committee on funds of political parties and mass organizations of the GDR” SODI was able to save the donations by the GDR population given before 1990, for international solidarity projects. Together with the “round-table for development policy”, the association contributed the majority of these donations towards the trust “Nord-Sued Bruecken”, founded in 1994, which supports the development work of East German NGOs.
SODI is funded by donations, membership fees and public funds. Since 1994 we receive yearly accreditation by the German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI), which proves the trustworthy handling of our funds.
SODI is a member of civil society networks and is participating in national and international campaigns to reach its goals.
Memberships include the ‘Deutsche Paratätischer Wohlfahrtsverband / Landesverband Berlin’ ‘Aktion Deutschland Hilft’, the Verband Entwicklungspolitik deutscher Nichtregierungsorganisationen’ (VENRO) and of the ‘Berlin Entwicklungspolitischen Ratschlag‘(BER). The SODI-Report gives information about the association’s activities and current development politics every quarter.
