PERI wins the German Award for Sustainability Projects 2025 in the category of Equal Opportunities

Berlin/Weißenhorn, September 11, 2025 – At the official ceremony of the German Award for Sustainability Projects 2025, PERI was honored this evening in Berlin in the category of Equal Opportunities. The award recognized the project “PERI School in the Kenyan Slum of Kibera”, which was completed in February 2024 in Kibera, a slum in Nairobi, Kenya.

With the construction of the three-story primary school, PERI is sending a strong message for educational support, social justice, and sustainable construction in disadvantaged regions of the world as part of its sustainability program “Building Sustainability”. The school provides space for up to 225 children and not only offers access to education, but also safe play areas, sanitary facilities, and new career opportunities – both for the students and for the local community, which was involved in planning, construction, and operations.

“This award means a lot to us. It affirms our holistic approach to promoting real equal opportunities through innovative construction technology and targeted educational projects. We firmly believe that education is the key to a better future, and we are proud to place this key in the hands of the children of Kibera – together with strong partners.” Andreas Mayer, Head of Corporate Sustainability, PERI SE

The school was built using approximately 7,000 TwistBlocks – a construction system specifically developed for use in informal settlements, designed in collaboration with the non-profit organization Start Somewhere. These hollow concrete blocks require no mortar or trained masons, are reusable, resource-efficient, and offer high stability, fire protection, and thermal insulation. They are produced locally in Kenya and South Africa, which also generates regional value creation and employment.

PERI employees were also part of the project: through the “Global Run to Nairobi” initiative, they raised over 10,000 Euro by logging kilometers run, which helped fund classroom equipment such as furniture, books, and whiteboards.

The project in Nairobi marks the beginning of a long-term initiative: as part of “Building Sustainability”, PERI plans to build one new school each year in developing regions. New schools are already underway in Cape Town and Syangeni, Kenya.

The German Award for Sustainability Projects is presented annually by the German Institute for Service Quality (DISQ), the DUB Entrepreneur Magazine, and the news channel ntv to honor particularly impactful sustainability initiatives from business, science, and society.

To learn more about the opening of the PERI school in Kibera, please see our press release from February 2024 Link