About FES
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) was established in 1925 as a political legacy of Friedrich Ebert, Germanys first democratically elected president. Friedrich Ebert, a social democrat, proposed the establishment of a foundation to serve the following aims:
- furthering political and social education of individuals from all walks of life in the spirit of democracy and pluralism,
- facilitating access to university and research for gifted young people by providing scholarships,
- contributing to international understanding and co-operation.
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung was banned by the Nazi Regime in 1933 and re-established in 1947, after World War II. As a non-profit public interest institution, the foundation is committed to these ideas and principles of social democracy. International cooperation connects the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung with partners in more than 100 countries all over the world.
In most of these countries, the foundation has established offices and its representatives work to promote democracy, sustainable development and international understanding. The head offices in Bonn and Berlin support the international network of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. The German federal Foreign Office and the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development grant the budget for activities on international cooperation and development.
Friedrich Ebert
Short biography of Friedrich Ebert