Who this is
Micha Fritz co-founded Viva con Agua around 20 years ago, with no business plan and just two rules: only do things that are fun, and don't get on the stars' nerves. What started as collecting deposit cups for donations at festivals has grown into a network of non-profit associations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Uganda and South Africa plus several social businesses, including its own bottled water, Goldeimer, the Millerntor Gallery and Villa Viva. Micha holds no shares in any of these organisations and is a regular salaried employee. Carolin Stüdemann joined Viva con Agua seven years ago and took over as managing director when the organisation was already 13 years old. Today she is driving the professionalisation of the organisation and looking for investors for further Villa Viva projects.
Episodes
Numbers from the episode
FAQ
What is Viva con Agua?
Viva con Agua is a Hamburg-based non-profit that raises donations for clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. Besides the association and the foundation, the Viva con Agua universe includes non-profit associations in Austria, Switzerland, Uganda and South Africa as well as social businesses such as its own water, Goldeimer, the Millerntor Gallery and Villa Viva. To the episode →
Where does Viva con Agua's money come from?
According to Carolin Stüdemann, around 85 percent of income comes from donations, currently 5 to 6 million euros a year including institutional grants. On top come payouts from the social businesses: this year the water company can distribute one million euros to the non-profit side. To the episode →
Do the founders own part of Viva con Agua?
No. Micha Fritz says that nobody who founded Viva con Agua or plays a leading role there holds a stake in any of its organisations. He is a regular salaried employee earning 6,000 euros gross. To the episode →
How does Viva con Agua organise so many volunteers?
Through an in-house platform where you sign up for activities such as festivals, and through crews that officially join the association with a finance contact and an action contact. Paid staff check the payment flows. Viva con Agua is present at around 100 festivals plus many concerts each year. To the episode →
How can I support Viva con Agua?
You can volunteer, for example by collecting deposit cups, become a supporting member (Carolin mentions 5 euros a month as an example), buy water, toilet paper or art from the Viva con Agua universe, or get in touch as an investor for further Villa Viva projects. To the episode →
Quotes
„Also alle, die Viva Con Agua gegründet haben oder da federführend arbeiten, sind null Prozent beteiligt an irgendeinem dieser Organismen, die wir gebaut haben.““Everyone who founded Viva con Agua or plays a leading role there owns zero percent of any of the organisations we've built.”
„Freiware baut keine Brunnen.““Free product doesn't build wells.”
„… du heiratest gegen die Scheidungsquote.““You're getting married against the divorce rate.”