The "last generation" is to be financed indirectly through taxpayers' money.
A research team provides insights into the structure of the climate group.
Munich/Cologne - The members of the climate group "Last Generation" are known to many as the so-called "climate glue".
With their adhesive actions on the streets, they cause a lot of trouble among drivers.
A research team examined how the "last generation" is financed.
The result was that the financing of the activist group is hardly transparent.
They also benefit indirectly from taxpayers' money.
"Last generation" should pay for climate glue - group benefits indirectly from taxpayers' money
A few weeks ago, climate activist Carolin Thurner told the “Last Generation Vienna” broadcaster
RTL
that some of her fellow campaigners were being paid.
Some of them are employed.
The climate group is also active in Austria.
"The highest you get is 1,200 euros a month," says the activist.
"You really have to mobilize the hours you're hired for."
Officially, the "Last Generation" says they wouldn't hire anyone.
However, there is a non-profit association for this, which calls itself “Changing Alliance”.
Officially, the association should only have employees for educational work.
But these employees should also take part in the adhesive campaigns.
+
Members of the "Last Generation" taped themselves to a street in Hamburg.
© Bodo Marks/dpa
The psychologist Maria-Christina Nimmerfroh crept undercover at the "Last Generation" and reports to the station about her experiences.
"It's not about education about the climate catastrophe, it is explicitly said in the training for the speakers that you should report on your own experiences of imprisonment," she explained.
"Now I can only report on experiences of imprisonment if I've been in prison before," added Nimmerfroh.
Last Generation Climate Group Benefits: State Funds Illegal Activities
RTL found out that the "last generation" also benefits indirectly from taxpayers' money.
Invoices for material costs that are used for illegal activities, for example, could be deducted by the non-profit association.
It is said to have been almost 100,000 euros in 2022 that could have been sold in this way.
"Indirectly, we can already say that the state is already financing illegal activities as a result," explained business lawyer Ulrike Schmidt-Fleischer.
The research team could not find the association at the address given.
The association could not be reached in writing or by telephone either.
The “Last Generation” explained in a letter that they would not receive direct tax money.
However, it cannot be ruled out that paid employees will also take part in street blockades or that donations will be tax deductible.
The climate activists of the “last generation” also have to answer in court for illegal actions.
In Heilbronn, two activists were sentenced to two and three months in prison.
(vk)
List of rubrics: © Bodo Marks/dpa