The “Heartfelt Projects” initiative reflects TAKRAF Group’s understanding of corporate responsibility as something that starts locally: with colleagues identifying causes close to their communities and contributing to projects that create lasting value beyond the company’s core business.
In 2025, the TAKRAF Germany team once again nominated three nonprofit organizations, which were chosen by vote to each receive a €1,500 donation. The awards were followed by personal, symbolic check handovers in early 2026, providing an important opportunity to engage directly with the organizations and gain deeper insights into the impact of their work.
Preserving industrial heritage: Museumsfeldbahn Leipzig-Lindenau
The first donation check handover took place in early February 2026, at the Museumsfeldbahn Leipzig-Lindenau. The association has been preserving historic railway technology since 1992 and offers regular rides on restored trains, bringing industrial history to life for visitors of all ages. With around 30 members, approximately ten are actively involved in maintenance work nearly every weekend; the association is dedicated to ensuring the long-term operational reliability of its locomotives and infrastructure. TAKRAF Germany’s donation was used specifically to support maintenance activities and the procurement of spare parts.
Making mining history accessible: Bergbau-Technik-Park
In March 2026, the second donation check was presented at the Bergbau-Technik-Park, a site dedicated to preserving the history of lignite mining and large-scale mining machinery. Surrounded by impressive equipment from the former TAKRAF combine, the park serves not only as a historical site but also as a place for dialogue and interpretation of industrial development. The donation supports efforts to make the TAKRAF Bucket-Wheel Excavator (1547 SRs 1000n) accessible to visitors, helping to contextualize mining technology for future generations.
Supporting children through animal-assisted therapy: FamilienCampus Lausitz
The third donation handover took place in late March 2026 at FamilienCampus Lausitz e.V. The organization supports children and young people in challenging life situations, including those living in residential care or under guardianship. A central element of FamilienCampus Lausitz’s work is the PferdeGut (Horse Farm), where animal-assisted therapy is provided under professional supervision. Through interaction with horses and other animals, children and adolescents receive targeted support for their emotional and social development. TAKRAF Germany’s donation helps sustain and further develop these therapeutic programs over the long term.
Together, the three “Heartfelt Projects” illustrate how personal employee engagement can create meaningful social impact. In times of declining public funding, donations such as these play a crucial role in enabling nonprofit organizations to continue and expand their work. The “Heartfelt Projects” initiative therefore stands as a concrete example of TAKRAF Germany’s commitment to responsible action and social engagement. We look forward to receiving new suggestions from #TeamTAKRAF Germany when the internal call for proposals reopens in 2026.
For Mining with Meaning.
