Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation

The Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation is a non-partisan federal political memorial foundation that commemorates the first social democratic Federal Chancellor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Willy Brandt. It was established in 1994 by the German Bundestag and is based in Berlin.

By remembering Willy Brandt and through our historical-political educational work around his political legacy, the foundation strengthens historical awareness and makes a fundamental contribution to strengthening democracy and the rule of law. By examining our democratic values ​​and liberal traditions, the foundation promotes socio-political commitment and a culture of remembrance that creates identity.

Understanding the Past, Shaping the Future

The foundation’s mission statement emphasizes democracy education as a central mission. In doing so, it follows the values ​​that Willy Brandt championed throughout his life: the struggle for peace and freedom, intra-European understanding from East to West, improving social participation, strengthening basic and human rights, and the pursuit of global justice Solidarity. »Mission statement (German)

Museums in Berlin, Lübeck and Unkel

The foundation has three branches. In the center of the German capital, the Forum Willy Brandt Berlin is a place of remembrance for the former Governing Mayor, Federal Chancellor and Nobel Peace Prize winner. The exhibition sheds light on his political work and tells the eventful German history of the 20th century. The educational and event program covers a wide range from historical topics to current political issues. From 2027, the foundation will move back to the Elisabeth-Selbert-Haus of the German Bundestag with its office and a new permanent exhibition after the completion of the new building at Unter den Linden 62–68.

The Willy-Brandt-Haus Lübeck with its permanent exhibition was opened in 2007 in the birthplace of the important European statesman. The house is a place for discussion about history and the present and a place for learning about contemporary history.

Since 2011, the Willy-Brandt-Forum Unkel has been commemorating the statesman at his long-time home near Bonn. The Bürgerstiftung Unkel “Willy-Brandt-Forum” founded the museum for contemporary history in the cultural city on the Rhine. Since 2021, the forum has been the foundation’s second branch.

Establishment Law and Financing

The law on the establishment of the Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation of October 25, 1994 was last amended by Article 2 of the law of June 2, 2021. The foundation is financed from the federal budget and is one of seven federal political memorial foundations. These federal foundations are subject to the legal supervision of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media (BKM).