Six lotteries, millions of players and thousands of charities – all part of something bigger. Novamedia/Postcode Lottery Group’s annual charity events celebrated that over €825 million was raised last year by Postcode Lottery players, while showcasing the incredible achievements of charities and individuals contributing to a fairer, greener world.

Picture above: Tennis champion and international ambassador Roger Federer was interviewed by Dutch Postcode Lottery ambassador Humberto Tan.

Nationale Postcode Loterij: Together for people and planet

Bureau Burgerberaad received €500,000 to stimulate public political participation.

The power of civil society was the theme of this year’s Nationale Postcode Loterij’s (Dutch Postcode Lottery) charity event. Novamedia/Postcode Lottery Group CEO Sigrid van Aken advocated that all real change and progress lies in civil society. This has been the vision of the postcode lotteries, ever since they started more than 30 years ago. Together, the postcode lotteries help raise funds for more than 1,100 organisations. Thanks to the unrestricted, long-term nature of this funding charity partners can use the money as they see fit.

An audience of 1,150 people learned about the charity partners’ funding and how support from players is making a difference. Last year the three million players of the Nationale Postcode Loterij raised €332 million for good causes.

Cultural historian and author David Van Reybrouck was the key speaker. An advocate for democracy renewal, he helped Belgian politics by introducing a permanent system of public political participation, with citizens being drawn by lottery and working alongside the existing parliament. This new model showcases a new form of democracy, and has led to civil councils in countries like France and Germany as well.

Tennis champion and international postcode lotteries ambassador Roger Federer also joined the stage. His charity, the Roger Federer Foundation, gives children a better future. Thanks to the support of the players, the foundation has already been able to help one million children to go to school. The visit of Federer received widespread media coverage and conversation on social media.

For the first time ever during the event, a group of players – all neighbours – were surprised on stage when ambassadors Winston Gerschtanowitz, Gaston Starreveld and Martijn Krabbé presented them with cheques totalling €1 million.

Players were surprised with huge cheques on stage.

Svenska Postkodlotteriet: Over SEK 1 billion to charities

Managing directors Eva Struving and Anders Årbrandt and TV host Rickard Sjöberg, presenting the cheque for over SEK one billion.

In Sweden, this year’s charity event focused on the war in Ukraine and all the supported organisations that work to support people and communities in the country. “Emergency interventions are extremely important, but the strength also lies in the long-term work,” explained Anders Årbrandt, managing director at Svenska Postkod Lotteriet.

Six innovative Dream Projects were awarded funding. Additional funding for girls' education was announced, ensuring equal educational opportunities around the world for all. For the first time in its history, the Svenska Postkod Lotteriet announced that more than one billion kronor (€101.6 million) for good causes had been raised in a single year.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate 2021, Maria Ressa, who is supported by the Media Development Investment Fund, spoke about her work as a journalist and free speech advocate.

Watch the highlights of the event here.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, interviewed by TV host Rickard Sjöberg.

Deutsche Postcode Lotterie: Sharing hope

The seven new long-term charity partners received their first cheques.

The Deutsche Postcode Lotterie’s theme centred around sharing hope. A strong sign of hope and courage came from international postcode lotteries ambassador and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad. Her organisation, Nadia's Initiative, is dedicated to rebuilding communities in crisis and advocating globally for survivors of sexual violence.

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of seven long-term charity partners. Greenpeace, WWF Germany, Doctors Without Borders, SOS Children's Villages, Amnesty International, UNO-Flüchtlingshilfe (UNHCR) and Sea-Watch received cheques in golden envelopes – a total of €12 million was awarded. All of this vital, structural funding support can be used flexibly to support people and nature. Last year, €48.6 million went to 936 projects.

Deutsche Postcode Lotterie awarded the Dream Fund to a non-profit organisation that is committed to a more socially and ecologically sustainable world. Funding of €1.5 million went to WWF’s Lebendige Flüsse (Living Rivers) project. This initiative will support river and wetland restoration.

International postcode lottery ambassador Toni Kroos received a €100,000 cheque for his foundation.

People’s Postcode Lottery: Quarter of a million pounds for leading HIV charity

Winners were present at the charity event.

Courage was this year’s People’s Postcode Lottery charity event theme. As well as tying into the core values as an organisation, courage was also closely linked to this year’s special guest. Welsh rugby legend and HIV campaigner, Gareth Thomas spoke at the event about his decision to talk publicly about his sexuality and to use his HIV diagnosis to challenge discrimination. Gareth Thomas was also named this year’s Postcode Hero, as well as the award he also accepted a cheque for £250,000 on behalf of the Terrence Higgins Trust.

After two years of a pandemic, this year’s charity event was all about bringing together winners, charity partners, ambassadors and team to celebrate all the achievements, remarkable individuals and everything that was made possible thanks to the generosity of players, including over £173 million being raised for thousands of good causes in 2021 alone. Postcode Lottery winners from across Britain found out more about what their support makes possible.

Three winning projects of this year's £3.75 million Dream Fund were announced. The funding will see cutting-edge technology harnessed to restore arm function for young people with disabilities, it will enable the mapping of large land areas to help nature recover, and create an innovative solution to climate change and biodiversity loss in the food industry. Each received £1.25 million to deliver their projects.

Rugby star and HIV campaigner, Gareth Thomas was named this year’s Postcode Hero. He received a cheque on behalf of the Terrence Higgins Trust, a leading HIV and sexual health charity.

VriendenLoterij: €134 million for cultural heritage and well-being

Secretary of State Gunay Uslu was interviewed by ambassador Chantal Janzen.

During the charity event VriendenLoterij (FriendsLotery), the third largest lottery in the Netherlands, celebrated what makes life beautiful: our connection with others and with our art and culture. In 2021, Dutch players raised €134 million for arts and cultural organisations.

A total of seven cultural partners, 92 charities and more than 3,500 clubs and associations received a funding. During the event three more organisations were surprised with an additional funding award: VluchtelingenWerk and Dutch museums, museum De Hermitage and the Johan Cruyff Foundation.

The new Secretary of State for Culture and Media, Gunay Uslu, was interviewed by VriendenLoterij ambassador and TV presenter Chantal Janzen.

The launch of DigitAll, a three-year programme for cultural institutions to attract new audiences with technology. From left to right: Cathelijne Broers (Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds), Bernt Schneiders (VSB Fonds), Gunay Uslu (Secretary of State), Henk Christophersen, (Fonds 21) and Dorine Manson (VriendenLoterij).