Source description last updated: 25 March 2022

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.

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).

“Based on the principles of liberalism”, the foundation “offers political education in Germany and abroad. With our events and publications, we help people to become actively involved in political affairs.” (Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom: Foundation, undated)

The foundation is committed to “the values of freedom, responsibility, the rule of law and human rights in Germany and the world.” Friedrich Naumann Foundation: Annual Report 2020, March 2021, p. 158, 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. In the 2020 financial year, the foundation “had income totalling €86.7 million at its disposal. 45.6% of this were funds received from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development for project activities by political foundations that are of importance for strengthening development cooperation.” (Friedrich Naumann Foundation: Annual Report 2020, March 2021, p. 161)

For details on sources of funding and use of funds, see:

Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom: Annual Report 2020, March 2021, pp. 160-169
https://shop.freiheit.org/download/P2@1043/399248/FNF_JB_2020_Web%20final.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

Methodological note:

ecoi.net's source descriptions contain background information on an organisation’s mission & objective, funding and reporting methodology, as well as on how we cover the source. The descriptions were prepared after researching publicly accessible information within time constraints. Most information contained in a source description was taken from the source itself. The aim is to provide a brief introduction to the sources covered regularly, offering information on relevant aspects in one place in a systematic manner. 

All links accessed 25 March 2022.