mafianeindanke e.V. (mnd) is a non-profit association committed to combatting the spread of organized crime since 2007, thereby promoting an open, democratic society with fair opportunities for all. Through over 200 events, some of which have been attended by ministers, we raise awareness on the dangers Italian mafia groups pose to German businesses and society. Additionally, we counter the romanticized image of the mafia, offer consultation services to individuals affected by mafia activities, as well as to legislators and journalists and commemorate victims. We advocate for the Europe-wide improvement and harmonization of laws on mafia-related topics such as money laundering and financial crime.
Why do we need an anti-mafia NGO in Germany? Isn’t the police enough?
Unlike regular organized crime such as burglary rings, Italian mafia organizations rely on far more complex inner structures. They shield themselves from consequences through the omertà – the code of silence – and pursue not only financial profit but also power. Since our democratic institutions stand in the way of their operations, the mafia views them as obstacles to be undermined, making the mafia a danger to democracy and the rule of law. For this reason, law enforcement alone cannot defeat the Italian mafia. Broad public awareness and prevention efforts on a societal level are also necessary. That’s why anti-mafia activism simultaneously represents a commitment to a democratic, free society with equal rights for all.
While the mafia follows the law of the strongest and thrives on injustice, the anti-mafia movement fights for freedom, justice for all, and the common good. That is why mafianeindanke is recognized as an organization for the common benefit.
What does mafianeindanke do?
We raise public awareness about the dangers Italian mafia organizations pose in Germany.
We publish articles on the most relevant topics relating to mafia activity on our website and a bimonthly free newsletter aimed at making high-quality information accessible to the public.
We support parliamentary inquiries at both the federal and state levels to shed light on organized crime in Germany – for example on the number of suspected mafia members currently known to the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).
We take a clear stance on current issues on our social media channels and make information about the mafia and organized crime accessible to all audiences.
We organize events, ranging from readings and film screenings to full-day seminars and conferences involving government representatives.
We hold politicians accountable.
We want to take away the mafia’s money.
We develop specific proposals to combat financial crime, economic crime and money laundering – for instance, in our policy brochure with legislative recommendations for the 2021 coalition agreement (available in German on our website).
We advocate for the consistent confiscation of criminals’ assets.
We call for seized property to be reused for the common good — for example, by allocating confiscated real estate to non-profit organizations and social projects.
We honor the memory of the innocent victims of the mafia.
Each year on the official day of remembrance for the innocent victims of the mafia, March 21st, we organize commemorative initiatives and public actions. We also make information about innocent victims of the mafia available in German.
We fight against the trivialization and romanticization of the mafia in German public discourse.
We collect cases where the mafia is romanticized for advertisement or entertainment purposes and support individuals who wish to speak out against this. We seek a dialogue with those responsible for promoting mafia romanticization and call attention to the pain such inconsiderate actions cause to victims, their families, and all those harmed by the mafia’s reach.
We strengthen and promote the anti-mafia movement across Europe.
We are a founding member of the European network CHANCE (Civil Hub Against orgaNized Crime in Europe). Organized crime knows no borders and operates globally – our response must therefore be international and interconnected. Find more information about CHANCE on our website.
We collaborate in European projects to bring topics such as (anti-)mafia and (anti-)corruption into public discourse in all European countries – including through educational initiatives for students (e.g. You Monitor, MoMoEU!).
We advocate for harmonized legislation and stronger measures across Europe in the fight against organized crime.
We provide advice and support for whistleblowers and anyone seeking guidance.
According to our charter (II, 4), mafianeindanke is politically neutral and cooperates with all democratic parties.
Following a membership vote on February 4, 2022, we adopted gender-inclusive language in German in all our communications to include people of all genders. This aligns with the anti-discrimination clause in our charter (II, 4). The full charter is available on our website.
What are mafianeindanke’s goals?
- The establishment of an independent Observatory on Organized Crime to generate knowledge, share expertise and strengthen networks.
- More frequent confiscation of profits gained from criminal activities and of assets linked to illegal enterprises.
- New legal frameworks and more investigations into financial crime.
- Greater support for civil society: The mafia is a problem that affects society as a whole; law enforcement alone cannot fight it effectively. Support for civil society includes the use of property confiscated from organized crime, for example by allowing charitable projects to use seized real estate for the common good.
- More specialized positions, funding, and training for police forces at the federal and state levels.
- Academic chairs dedicated to organized crime at universities and colleges to strengthen research in this field.
- The creation of a Federal Prosecutor for Organized Crime, equivalent to the Federal Public Prosecutor General responsible for terrorism.
- A nationwide exit and reintegration program to complement the existing witness protection system, modeled on initiatives against right-wing extremism.
Our current strategies and goals are available on our site “Visions & Strategies for 2023 until 2028″. Find a short summary of our history, successes and demands on our current flyer.
What has mafianeindanke achieved so far?
2007: Two members of the Neapolitan mafia Camorra, in cooperation with a third man, extorted protection money from around 50 restaurant owners in Berlin. The cooperation between mafianeindanke and the Berlin police led to the arrest and imprisonment of the three criminals. This collaboration has been documented by Eurojust as a Best Practice example of cooperation between the state, the private sector and civil society.
2017: mafianeindanke contributed to key legislative improvements, including the revision of Section 129 of the German Criminal Code (“Formation of a criminal organization”).
2019: At the Committee on Internal Affairs of the Berlin House of Representatives, mafianeindanke initiated the discussion on exit programs for individuals involved in organized crime as a preventive measure. The association produced a feasibility study for an exit program, which was later presented to Berlin’s Taskforce on Exit & Prevention (available in German on our website).
2020: mafianeindanke urged the Berlin Senate Department for Justice to strengthen oversight of notaries in order to detect money laundering more efficiently. In response, the State of Berlin established a taskforce that inspected 25 notary offices and uncovered eleven suspected cases of money laundering. A subsequent legislative initiative in the Bundesrat (Germany’s Federal Council) by the State of Berlin led to a legal reform that significantly tightened regulations against money laundering in the real estate sector.
2023: mafianeindanke organized the first national anti-mafia seminar, which brought senior representatives from law enforcement agencies across Germany to Cologne.
We have made it our mission to raise awareness and spread information to the people of Germany. To this end, we have already organized more than 200 events — featuring guests such as the German and Italian Ministers of the Interior, the Italian National Anti-Mafia Prosecutor, and numerous leading figures of the anti-mafia movement. These efforts have helped to increase media coverage and public attention for our cause.
OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD
Sandro Mattioli, Chairman
Helena Raspe, Vice-Chairwoman
Ludovica Bölting, Vice-Chairwoman
Judith Eisinger, Secretary
Giulia Norberti, Treasurer
Laura Garavini, Founder of the Association, now member of the Italian Senate and honorary president of the association.
The entire executive committee works on an voluntary basis.
OUR TEAMS
TEAM BERLIN
In Berlin mafianeindanke has not only its legal seat, here the association also has its beginning. Some of the members of the board of directors are active here, together with many young students, professionals and experts in various fields, from money laundering and clan crime to communication and science. In Berlin the association organises a variety of events and the volunteers of mafianeindanke are also active here. The Antimafia Newsletter, the central organ of the association, is also produced here, but with the help of many authors and translators throughout Germany and abroad.
TEAM BAVARIA
The Bavarian group, which meets in Munich, was the first core group to be formed far from the head office. Numerous activists* with different professional backgrounds come together here: Teachers, pensioners, journalists, students, professionals of different ages. One of the main focuses of the group is media work. But the Munich team also regularly organises events. Like all other groups, Team Bavaria is happy to welcome interested parties.
TEAM NORTH RHINE WESTPHALIA
North Rhine-Westphalia team is our newest regional group, founded by students at the University of Cologne. It welcomes new activists, organises events, gives interviews and is dedicated to innovative projects. Since 2024, the group has been holding workshops on the topic of the mafia and anti-mafia in secondary schools.
Past events with the NRW group:
2025: Workshop beim Kriminalkongress „Sicheres NRW“ im Düsseldorfer Landtag
2022: Forschungsfeld Organisierte Kriminalität – kein Randthema, sondern unverzichbar
2020: Nordrhein-Westfalen und der Kampf gegen die Mafia | Youtube-Video
