Interview

"One must not be afraid of taking small steps"

This year, Johanna Bosch-Brasacchio was awarded honorary membership at Primavera – Help for children in need. A conversation with the granddaughter of company founder Robert Bosch about responsibility, humanity, and the power of social engagement.

Ms. Bosch-Brasacchio, you never got to know your grandfather personally. Nevertheless, he seems to have had a strong influence on you. How should we imagine this?

I only knew my grandfather from photos and books. But I grew up around people who actually experienced him—my grandmother, my father, my aunt, and many of his companions. Because of that, he was somehow always present. In particular, his closeness to nature, his clarity, and the way people spoke about him created a vivid picture. I could feel how much respect and affection he was shown.

Which values that were important to him were particularly emphasized in your family?

Above all, a sense of responsibility, honesty, and critical thinking. We learned early on to question things. Modesty, thriftiness, and the careful use of resources were also deeply lived values in our family. At the same time, social engagement was always present. My parents were highly active in society, and later on also through a foundation. Through this, we were taught: inheritance does not just mean ownership, but responsibility.

Did you ever feel like you had to help - out of a sense of duty?

No, not at all. The desire to help was always naturally there and was simply a part of daily life. Perhaps also because we were a large family with six children. You automatically learn consideration and solidarity. If anything, I sometimes felt like I wasn't doing enough. When you have many opportunities, you do ask yourself how you can put them to meaningful use.

Your father was also highly active in social causes.

Yes, very much so. He invested a large portion of his time and fortune into social projects. For him, it was about giving opportunities to people who, as he always said, "had less luck in life" than we did. What was interesting about this was that he always listened closely to people first. If someone was passionate about an idea, he would ask: "What do you want to do? And what do you need for it?" This trust in people left a deep impression on me.

You have been involved with Primavera for many years to support children and young people in need. What particularly appealed to you and motivated you to join?

I was won over by the combination of concrete help, culture, and community. Take the Bosch Cultural Groups, for example. They already create social added value on their own. When this additionally generates support for social projects, I find that incredibly impactful. I am also particularly impressed by the closeness to the people on the ground and the fact that the projects are developed together with local partners.

Why do you consider this form of engagement to be particularly effective?

Because it is very direct. The people on the ground know best what is needed. At the same time, the company contributes professionalism, structures, and international networks. This creates something very sustainable. And you realize: even comparatively small contributions can have an enormous impact.

You often speak of humanity and personal contact...

Because that is exactly what is so important today. So much now happens digitally and anonymously. But humanity is created primarily through direct encounters. Ultimately, it is always about individual people, not just numbers or statistics. Of course, you need professionalism and measurable results. But in the end, what counts is that someone receives concrete support.

Support and participation in Primavera's projects are increasingly coming from young associates at Bosch. How do you experience the younger generation?

Very positively. Many young people today look much more strongly for purpose and want to get involved. They want to see that their efforts make a difference. That is why it is so important to make concrete stories and results from the aid projects visible.

However, many people feel powerless in the face of global crises. What would you say to them?

That we must not let ourselves be discouraged. The right moment to do something is always now. And one must not be afraid of taking small steps. If we do nothing, we stand no chance of change at all. There is one thought in particular that is very important to me: we can only make a difference together with other people.

In conclusion: what does Primavera mean to you personally?

For me, Primavera is like a dynamic spring wind. The association connects people, cultures, and ideas. It creates closeness to life realities that otherwise often seem far away. And it shows that social cohesion can be lived in a very concrete way.

What do you wish for the future of the association?

That Primavera continues to grow—with new members, new ideas, and new encounters. I hope that even more people will find the courage to get involved.

And what does this honorary membership mean to you?

It is, of course, a great honor for me. Above all, I hope that I can use it to motivate other people to also get involved and take on responsibility.