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Friedrich Naumann Foundation

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Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom
Friedrich Naumann Stiftung für die Freiheit
Formation1958
FounderTheodor Heuss
Legal statusregistered association (e.V.)
PurposePromoting liberalism
Location
Chairperson
Karl-Heinz Paque
Websitefreiheit.org

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (German: Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit e.V.; Abbreviation: FNF) is a German foundation for liberal politics, associated with but independent from the Free Democratic Party and funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. It was established in 1958 by Theodor Heuss, the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany. The foundation supplemented its name in 2007 with the words "for Freedom" (für die Freiheit).

The foundation follows the ideals of the Protestant theologian, Friedrich Naumann, with the exception of his Christian socialist views. Naumann believed that a functioning democracy requires politically informed and educated citizens. According to him, civic education is a prerequisite for political participation and thus for democracy.[1] The foundation has offices in Europe, Africa, America, and Asia. It also has close links to the Liberal International.[1][2]

The foundation's activities in the field of civic education consist of seminars, conferences and publications aimed at promoting liberal values and principles. The international political dialogue program provides a discussion forum for a liberal issues.[3] The foundation's counselling programs focus on candidates for political office, liberal political parties and other democratic organizations.[4]

Scholarship program

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As of 2009 the Friedrich Naumann Foundation provides scholarships to approximately 800 students, among those 175 PhD students.[5] Scholarships are granted after a competitive multi-stage admission process. The selection is based on grades, letters of recommendation, leadership potential, community service, and a visible commitment to liberal values.[6] The scholarship system is funded by the Federal Government. Around 1% of university students in Germany hold one of these federally funded merit scholarships.[7] Around 20% of the scholarships are held by foreign students studying at a university in Germany.

Foreign involvement

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In Peru, the foundation was involved in a misunderstanding on a meeting related to some members of the Congress. The Peru Office Director testified before the Peruvian Congress to clear the misunderstanding.[8]

The North America Regional Office in Washington, D.C. runs two programs. The Transatlantic Dialogue Program encourages discussions between the US, Canada, and Germany on various fronts, while the World Order and Globalization Hub enhances global economic understanding. Both aim to foster knowledge exchange and promote global social and economic progress.[9]

Shortly after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the foundation's work in Moscow was stopped and the Moscow office's registration was revoked. In April 2024, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation was declared an undesirable organization in Russia.[10]

The foundation also established a Human Rights Hub in Geneva.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Friedrich Naumann Foundation Jordan | arab.org". Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  2. ↑ "Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF)". The European Liberal Forum. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  3. ↑ "Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom | World University Service". wusgermany.de. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  4. ↑ "Friedrich Naumann Foundation | Land Portal". landportal.org. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  5. ↑ Publication Archived 2011-07-18 at the Wayback Machine of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany):
  6. ↑ "Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom - Georg-August-University Göttingen". Georg-August Universität Göttingen (in German). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "Begabtenförderungswerke - BMBF". Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung - BMBF (in German). Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  8. ↑ PERÚ, NOTICIAS EL COMERCIO (18 February 2022). "Fundación Friedrich Naumann sobre reunión con congresistas: "Se debió invitar a todos los partidos" María del Carmen Alva Pedro Castillo RMMN | POLITICA". El Comercio (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  9. ↑ "Friedrich Naumann Foundation: North America". Friedrich Naumann Foundation For Freedom. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  10. ↑ "«Нежелательными организациями» признали украинскую правозащитную организацию и два немецких фонда". OVD-Info (in Russian). 17 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  11. ↑ "Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom | Genève internationale". www.geneve-int.ch. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
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