SAVETeam
A volunteer network that works like an institution. Since February 2026 we have been a registered non-profit company (gUG); before that, we spent several years as an all-volunteer network.
Who works at SAVE
Many of us come from Fridays for Future and GermanZero, from research, policy advice, journalism and NGOs. We bring together people who know institutions from the inside with people who build campaigns from the outside. Two members of our leadership have completed an eight-month programme in NGO management, fundraising and campaigning, and one team member is a Klimaaktivisti fellow.
Our team members come from ten countries:
- Germany
- India
- Brazil
- Sweden
- USA
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- China
- Austria
- Netherlands
How we connect people
For us, brokerage is a method, not a matter of charisma. These rules apply to everyone on the team:
- Give value before making any ask.
- Exactly one clear introduction per request, never a list.
- Both sides agree before we connect anyone.
- We follow up after every introduction to see whether it led anywhere.
- We keep light, regular contact with many people rather than making rare, large asks of a few.
The founder
Johnny Stengel studied psychology, business administration, global energy and climate policy (SOAS, London) and law (University of Hamburg). Since 2019 he has coordinated the national lobbying of Fridays for Future Germany and held more than 200 meetings with parliamentarians and EU officials. Since 2020 he has co-authored GermanZero’s 1.5°C legislative package, and he co-founded GermanZero Hamburg. He founded SAVE in 2024.
How a volunteer group became SAVE: Johnny’s post on the founding, on LinkedIn
Book 10 minutes with JohnnyGet involved
We are looking for people who want to take on responsibility, especially in fundraising, grant writing, project management and looking after our contact database. Tell us what you can do and how much time you have.
Get involved with SAVEMake the next conversation possible.
Every donation pays for preparation, travel to negotiations and the time that good connections take. Donors in Germany receive a tax receipt.