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Volkswagen Foundation

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What if I told you a foundation built on cars doesn’t actually build cars? The Volkswagen Foundation, right here in Hanover, has a fascinating history. It’s completely separate from the Volkswagen car manufacturer. It all began in 1961. The German government and the state of Lower Saxony transformed Volkswagenwerk GmbH into a stock corporation. The funds generated from this change established the Volkswagen Foundation. This organization supports research and higher education, focusing on the humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields. Its headquarters stand here, a testament to its commitment to advancing knowledge. The Volkswagen Foundation isn’t just about handing out money. It has a strategic approach with three profile areas: Exploration, Societal Transformations, and Understanding Research. Their funding philosophy is equally unique. They aim to provide impetus, take risks, cross borders, and shape structures. In 2022 alone, the Volkswagen Foundation approved over 331 million euros for various scientific projects. It operates independently, guided by a Board of Trustees and managed by a dedicated staff of around 100 people. Their financial resources, around 3.4 billion euros, come from investments and profit entitlements from Volkswagen trust shares. The Volkswagen Foundation’s impact is substantial, having approved a staggering 280 billion euros in funding since 1962. It stands as a symbol of the transformative power of investment in knowledge and research. It’s a silent engine driving progress, not in automobiles, but in the minds of researchers and scholars.

Learning about Volkswagen Foundation in Hanover is only the beginning of your adventure. Explory helps you go further with a powerful digital guide that transforms every walk into an experience. Using our intuitive city guide, you can easily connect stories with locations, creating your own city tour while enjoying Hanover at your own rhythm. Explory’s goal is to make your trip unforgettable. Our guide combines storytelling with orientation, giving you the chance to uncover the rich layers of Hanover. Thanks to the integrated audio guide, you can listen to fascinating narratives while exploring the streets. Beyond the well-known attractions, Explory highlights hidden gems and secret corners that make the city truly unique. With the city guide, you’ll gain insights and flexibility. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular traveler, the app offers exploration on your terms. Each curated city tour blends local culture, history, and atmosphere into one seamless experience. The emphasis on exploration ensures you won’t just see Hanover, but actually connect with it. And because our content reveals hidden gems, you’ll always discover something new. Expand your journey by downloading the Explory App. Explore over 300 cities and more than 500,000 POIs and stories, all accessible from your phone. Whether you need a trusted guide, a flexible audio guide, or a structured city tour, Explory offers everything in one place. Start your adventure today and explore Hanover like never before with Explory.

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