Source description last updated: 8 October 2019

In brief: The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNST) is German political foundation affiliated with the Free Democratic Party (FDP), which promotes liberalism in the world through events and publications (amongst other activities).

Coverage on ecoi.net:

Selected publications, esp. the “Türkei Bulletin” and the series “Fokus Menschenrechte” and “Hintergrund”.

Covered monthly on ecoi.net, for countries of priorities A-C.

Mission/Mandate/Objectives:

The foundation is named after the German liberal politician Friedrich Naumann (1860-1919), the first chairman of the German Democratic Party (FNST: Unser Namensgeber, undated).

“On the basis of the idea of ​​liberalism, the foundation offers political education in Germany and throughout the world. With our events and publications we help people to get actively involved in political events.” (FNST: Stiftung, undated, working translation ACCORD)

FNST is committed to “the values ​​of freedom, responsibility, the rule of law and human rights in Germany and the world.” (FNST: Jahresbericht 2018, 2019, p.86, working translation ACCORD)

Statute of the Foundation:

Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit: Die Satzung der Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit; Fassung vom 18. Februar 2019, 18 February 2019
https://www.freiheit.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/2019_FNF-Satzung.pdf  

Funding:

The foundation is mainly financed by funds from German federal ministries. It “generated revenue of € 71.7 million in the financial year 2018. Of these, 47.9% of the funding was provided by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, in accordance with its main task focus.” (FNST: Jahresbericht 2018, 2019, p.89, working translation ACCORD)

For details on the origin and use of the funds see:

Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom: Jahresbericht 2018, 2019, pp. 86-94
https://www.freiheit.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/Jahresbericht_2018_web.pdf

Scope of reporting:

Geographic focus: Germany and the world: offices in Germany and over 60 countries (FNST: Stiftung, undated)

Methodology:

In accordance with its statutes, the foundation will, inter alia, fulfill its purpose, “Through scientific research and the management of a public archive, to develop the basis for political action, in particular through scientific projects and public discussions of fundamental issues at home and abroad, as well as research into the history and effectiveness of liberalism,” and FNST “makes the results of its work open to the public, e.g. by publishing its own publications” (FNST: Die Satzung der Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit; Fassung vom 18. Februar 2019, 18 February 2019, §2)

Offices in over 60 countries (FNST: Stiftung, undated)

Language(s) of publications:

German (and few in English)

Further reading / links:

Heisterkamp, Ulrich: Think Tanks der Parteien? Eine vergleichende Analyse der deutschen politischen Stiftungen, 2018
https://www.springer.com/de/book/9783658185213

 

All links accessed 8 October 2019.