Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

Photo: The FES headquarters in Bonn and Berlin by FES

About us

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is a non-profit organization committed to the values of social democracy and the oldest of Germany’s political foundations. Founded in 1925, it is the political legacy of Friedrich Ebert, Germany’s first democratically elected President. It was immediately banned when the Nazi regime entered into power in 1933.

FES was not re-established until after the end of World War II. The foundation serves the following aims:

Furthering political and social education of individuals from all walks of life in the spirit of democracy and pluralism;
Contributing to international understanding and cooperation Facilitating access to university education and research for gifted young people by providing scholarships;

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung continues today to pursue these aims in all its extensive activities. As a private cultural non-profit institution, it is committed to the ideas and basic values of social democracy. In Germany, the foundation’s activities focus on the three main pillars of political training and advocacy, research and consultancy as well as educational support and scholarships. Projects in these domains are realized by the conference centers in Bonn and Berlin, various FES academies as well as the regional offices of the FES.

Today FES works in more than 100 countries around the world. And it continues to pursue the above aims and values, which have lost nothing of their relevance since Friedrich Ebert wisely framed them in 1925.

Learn more about FES

FES international and in the Middle East and North Africa region

FES' main international objectives are to enhance democracy and development, to support freedom and security, to ensure a democratic globalization process and to enhance the enlargement and deepening of the European Union.

With projects in more than 100 countries throughout the world, FES assists the building and consolidation of civil society and state structures to promote democracy and social justice, strong and independent labor unions, gender equality and the respect for human rights.

In the Middle East and North Africa region, the FES has offices in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Yemen, Palestine and Lebanon. With its wide spectrum of local partners and this variety of domains of activities, FES disposes of a unique potential in engaging civil society, political actors and governments into a constructive and innovative dialogue and to effectuate positive change.