German Marshall Fund of the United States, The
The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is an American public policy and grantmaking institution dedicated to promoting greater cooperation and understanding between the US and Europe. Founded in 1972 through a gift from Germany as a permanent memorial to Marshall Plan assistance, GMF maintains a strong presence on both sides of the Atlantic. In addition to its headquarters in Washington DC, GMF has six offices in Europe: Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Belgrade, Ankara, and Bucharest. GMF also has smaller representations in Bratislava, Turin, and Stockholm.
Mission
To deepen understanding, promote collaboration and stimulate exchange between Americans and Europeans.
Geographic Focus
US and Europe, including Central and Eastern EuropeProgramme Areas
GMF aim to bring people and resources together from both sides of the Atlantic, finding ways the United States and Europe can collaborate on common interests and shared challenges. Initiatives are aimed at increasing transatlantic cooperation, decreasing tension around difficult issues, and are carried out by both GMF and partner institutions.
There are 3 main areas of their work: Policy, Leadership and Civil Society. They also have a Research and Analysis branch.
Policy
Policy is a the largest part of their work, on both sides of the Atlantic and around the World. Staff and fellows have expertise in a wide range of subjects, from security to democracy and from energy to trade, and a wide range of regions, from North America to Asia and from Europe to the Wider Atlantic Basin. Their research and analysis in these areas is published in international media and GMF’s own publication series.
They organise many events to bring together the transatlantic policy-making community. They seek to attract influential leaders from a variety of backgrounds, such as U.S, European, Global political, corporate, media, and intellectual.
Topics include:
• Asia
•Energy Security
•Europe’s East & Russia
•European Union
•Foreign & Security Policy
•NATO
•Trade & Investment
•Urban & Regional Policy
Leadership
Transatlantic Leadership Initiatives:
GMF brings together and offers portfolios for established, mid-career, and next generation leaders who are committed to strengthening transatlantic relations.
Congressional Affairs:
The Congressional Affairs Program seeks to inform and educate Members of the U.S. Congress on transatlantic affairs. GMF does this through its grant making, convening, networking, and research activities.
•Alumini Engagement
•Manfred Wörner Seminar
•Marshal Memorial Fellowship
•Next Generation Leaders: Young Transatlantic Network
•Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network
Civil Society
This is GMF’s grant making arm, supporting a range of institutions and individuals working on transatlantic policy issues.
The Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD) was created in 2003, initially planned as a 10 year, $30-million grant making operation to support democracy, civil society, the rule of law and Euro-Atlantic integration in South-eastern Europe. The collaboration between the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation gained support from European governments and private foundations. BTD will continue until 2020, with support from the Mott Foundation and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation is based on the model of the Balkan Trust for Democracy, the public-private partnership works with a variety of donors, providing grants to native organisations to foster and strengthen regional cooperation, civil society, and democratic foundations. It is currently a 10 year initiative, however GMF is open to considering a longer-term effort
Congressional Study Groups have been created in order to connect members of the U.S Congress with foreign legislators the GMF sponsors study groups, which gives the opportunity for law makers from around the globe to discuss matters of mutual importance.
The Fund for Belarus Democracy makes support available to, enabling them to resist the pressures of a dictatorial regime and work towards its democratization. Support under this program is provided through small grants, cross-border cooperation, capacity-building, and international advocacy
The German Marshall Fund supports citizen initiatives, independent media, and human rights groups in their pursuit of democracy. This comes in the form of small grants, cross-border cooperation, capacity building and international advocacy.
Research & Analysis
Keeping up with current events on both sides of the Atlantic, experts examine the challenges faced and offer policy recommendations on how to tackle them. They use a variety of communicative windows, such as: blogs, commentaries, publication, audio pieces and video. The Transatlantic Academy is part of their work, looking at longer term challenges faced by Europe and the U.S.
Events are a big part of their work. These include the Brussels Forum, Bilbao Urban Innovation and Leadership Dialogues (BUILD) and Central and Eastern European Energy Security Forum.