RSSWho we are
The Berghof Foundation is an independent, non-governmental and non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting conflict stakeholders and actors in their efforts to achieve sustainable peace through peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
Our Vision
The Berghof Foundation’s vision is a world in which people maintain peaceful relations and overcome the use of violence as a means of political and social force.
While we consider conflict to be an integral, often necessary and therefore unavoidable part of political and social life, we believe that the use of force in conflict is not inevitable.
Conflict transformation requires engagement of the conflicting parties and those who are most affected by the violence. But it also requires the knowledge, skills, resources and institutions that may help to eventually turn violent conflicts into constructive and sustained collaboration.
Our vision builds on the conviction that drivers of peaceful change will only prosper if appropriate spaces for conflict transformation exist in which they can do so.
For more information read our Strategic Vision.
TopOur Mission
The Berghof Foundation contributes to a world without violence by supporting conflict stakeholders and actors in their efforts to achieve sustainable peace through peacebuilding and conflict transformation.
In so doing, we rely on the knowledge, skills and resources available in the areas of conflict research, peace support, peace education and grantmaking, which we strive to develop further. Based on the principles of our approach, we work jointly with partners and donors to facilitate the creation of inclusive support mechanisms, processes and structures that we hope will enable stakeholders and actors in conflicts to engage with each other constructively and develop non-violent responses to their conflict related challenges.
»Creating Space for Conflict Transformation«
TopOur History
Established during the height of the Cold War by Professor Dr Georg Zundel, the Berghof Foundation can look back at a history of success. Peacebuilding in research, practice and education is now firmly rooted in Germany, after the Foundation has given its support to hundreds of projects and the establishment of several institutions.
Ten Milestones on the Road to the Berghof Foundation
1971
The Berghof Foundation for Conflict Studies is founded by Georg Zundel as a private limited company with charitable tax-exempt status under German law. Initial support is provided for critical analyses of the arms race during the Cold War.
1977
Beginning of support for the Association (later Institute) for Peace Education Tübingen.
1989
The Foundation establishes a research facility in Berlin, the Research Institute of the Berghof Foundation. Its emphasis is on altering the dynamics of the arms race. In 1993 it becomes the Berghof Research Center for Constructive Conflict Management (later Berghof Conflict Research), shifting its focus to the resolution of ethno-political conflict.
1998
Groundwork is laid for the Berghof Handbook for Conflict Transformation. Practical and theoretical research takes place in the Balkans and the Caucasus.
1999
The Association for Peace Education Tübingen is awarded the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education.
2001
The Resource Network for Conflict Studies and Transformation begins its sustained programme of local work with the conflict parties in Sri Lanka.
2004
Berghof Peace Support is established to provide globally-oriented support for peace processes.
2005
Project work is extended to resistance and liberation movements and former non-state armed groups. The network now spans 20 countries.
2007
Founder Georg Zundel dies. His family resolves to carry on the Foundation’s work.
2012
Three areas that had been operating independently – conflict research, peace support and peace education – are integrated into a new entity: the Berghof Foundation.
Our Approach
Our collaborative structure provides a unique setting for producing fresh and innovative ideas, and for creating synergies that allow flexible strategies for supporting different actors in diverse and complex conflict settings. Some of the key principles guiding us are inclusiveness, practicability, multipartiality, reliable partnership, reflectiveness and cultural sensitivity.
Integrating Knowledge, Skills and Resources
The prospects of conflict transformation can be greatly enhanced by combining knowledge, methodologies and skills with the many lessons to share from research, practice and education, complemented by smart and targeted grantmaking. Developing feedback-loop routines and learning from all three fields help us to address challenges more adequately, and to provide optimal tools and information to our partners and clients.
Strengthening Agents of Peaceful Change
In deeply divided societies, building consensus in conflict transformation is a challenging task that must be merged with efforts such as participatory conflict analysis, action research, dialogue, negotiation, mediation and other forms of inclusive activities. Our support strategies are driven by empathy and full respect for local ownership; it is essential to include and address all important stakeholders and actors in order to achieve constructive conflict transformation.
Addressing Root Causes and Catalysts of Conflict
Most peace processes are not linear and have complicated dynamics. Engaging in peacebuilding means facing the likelihood of stalemates, backlashes, re-escalation and multiple crises. Addressing the underlying root causes is as important as understanding the “proxy” causes of conflict that emerge from decades of violence and humiliation. We consider systemic thinking necessary for adequate analysis and transformation of protracted conflict.
Creating Spaces for Conflict Transformation
Shaping the processes that can lead to peace requires time and space. Long-term commitment is needed, because peace will become sustained only if it rests on behavioural change. Our approach aims at creating or supporting spaces as trustworthy, and empowering settings on different tracks, which can help conflicting parties to engage with each other constructively and to literally experience non-violence and peace.
For more information read our Strategic Vision.
TopOur Locations
The Berghof Foundation is based in the Berghof Center, in Berlin, Germany. Beyond that the Foundation also maintains a branch office in Tübingen, located in the South of Germany, as well as project offices in a number of countries, depending on project requirements.
The Berghof Center
The Foundation’s headquarters is the Berghof Center, located in Berlin, the political centre of Germany. Not far from the premises of the Free University Berlin, in the district of Dahlem, the building has been hosting Foundation projects since 1971. Today it provides space for the executive offices of the Berghof Foundation, as well as the majority of our administrative, research and peace support staff. The Berghof Center runs an in-house library, specialising in literature related to conflict transformation. The library is accessible to the public upon request.
Berghof Center in Berlin-Dahlem
Georg Zundel Haus
The Foundation maintains a branch office in Tübingen, the hometown of Professor Dr Georg Zundel, located in the South of Germany. Named in honour of its founder, the Georg Zundel Haus has been hosting peace education staff since 2002. The bright and spacious building has a large meeting room, allowing the institute to host seminars, workshops, expert discussions, presentations and professional gatherings. The Georg Zundel Haus also contains a library specialised in peace education, as well as an extensive media collection.
Georg Zundel Haus in Tübingen
Project Offices
Depending upon requirements, project offices may be considered in other countries, based on project needs and upon the request of our partners. At the moment the Foundation maintains project offices in Lebanon and Thailand.