Zentrum Liberale Moderne

What Zentrum Liberale Moderne does

Zentrum Liberale Moderne (LibMod) is an independent, Berlin-based non-profit political think tank founded in 2017 to defend and renew liberal democracy, promote ecological modernization, and provide expertise on Eastern Europe. The organization operates as a debate platform and project hub, running nine distinct programmatic verticals that include Ukraine verstehen, Russland verstehen, O[s]tklick (engaging Russian-Germans on democracy), Narrativ-Check (narrative monitoring), the International Expert Network Russia, Östliche Partnerschaft Plus (Eastern Partnership), Ökologische Moderne (ecological modernization), Liberale Demokratie, and Netzwerk Nahost (Middle East Network).

LibMod produces policy papers, essays, op-eds, podcasts, videos, and live events (including the recurring 'Russia and the West' conference), and distributes this content through its own German/English website, segmented newsletters, Twitter/X, YouTube, and earned media placements. The organization is led by founding director Ralf Fücks and senior fellow Marieluise Beck, supported by programme directors for Liberal Democracy, Russia, and the Middle East Network.

The business model is donation- and grant-based. As a registered German charitable organization (gemeinnützig), LibMod accepts individual donations (tax-deductible, via bank transfer and PayPal) and receives project-based funding from federal bodies such as the Bundesministerium des Innern and the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, alongside co-development relationships with foundations including the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. There are no commercial products, pricing tiers, or disclosed revenue figures.

Name

Zentrum Liberale Moderne

Legal name

Zentrum Liberale Moderne

Website

https://libmod.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zentrum Liberale Moderne is a Berlin-based non-profit political think tank founded in 2017 that produces policy analysis, publications, and events on liberal democracy, ecological modernization, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, funded by donations and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Policy Research

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Business Associations (81391), Political Organizations (813940)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alternative/Independent Newsweeklies & Opinion Press (MPAJADAH), Mediation, Negotiation Support & Peace Processes (BPADAFAC)

Keywords

• Public policy research
• Think tank services
• Democracy advocacy
• Political analysis
• International affairs research

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered non-profit organization (gemeinnützig), Zentrum Liberale Moderne relies primarily on donations from individuals and supporters. Donations are tax-deductible in Germany. The organization accepts donations via bank transfer, PayPal, and direct bank transfer upon request.

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Zentrum Liberale Moderne (LibMod) is an independent German political think tank that produces policy analysis, essays, expert networks, and convening events focused on defending liberal democracy, advancing ecological modernization, and providing expertise on Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East). The organization operates distinct thematic projects (Ukraine verstehen, Russland verstehen, O[s]tklick, Narrativ-Check, International Expert Network Russia, Netzwerk Nahost, Ökologische Moderne, Liberale Demokratie, Östliche Partnerschaft Plus), publishes articles, policy papers, videos, and podcasts in German and English, and hosts international conferences.

Product overview

Zentrum Liberale Moderne (LibMod) is an independent German think tank operating as a debating platform and project organization. The organization does not offer commercial software products; instead, it provides a portfolio of thematic projects, expert networks, and content publications. Key offerings include analytical projects on Eastern Europe (Ukraine verstehen, Russland verstehen), a network engaging Russian-Germans for democracy (O[s]tklick), programs on liberal democracy defense and ecological modernization, and international expert networks on Russia and the Middle East. Content output includes publications, articles, policy papers, videos, podcasts, and events/conferences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ukraine verstehen: Project focused on understanding Ukraine
• Russland verstehen
• Ostklick
• Narrativcheck
• International Expert Network Russia
• Östliche Partnerschaft Plus
• Ökologische Moderne
• Netzwerk Nahost

Products and services

• Ukraine verstehen (Understanding Ukraine) A dedicated project providing analysis and expert commentary on the Ukraine conflict, European security, and the political situation in Ukraine through policy papers, articles, and expert commentary.
• Russland verstehen (Understanding Russia) A project dedicated to providing expertise and analysis on Russia through publications, expert discussions, and policy recommendations regarding Russian politics and international relations.
• O[s]tklick – Russlanddeutsche für Demokratie im Netz A network project engaging Russian-Germans (Russlanddeutsche) for democracy, providing a platform for discussion about diaspora communities and their role in German society, and operating a dedicated newsletter.
• Narrativ-Check A project that monitors and analyzes political narratives, fact-checking media narratives, and providing critical analysis of public discourse.
• International Expert Network Russia An international network of Russia experts that organizes annual conferences (e.g., 'Russia and the West') and publishes analysis on Russia and Western relations.
• Östliche Partnerschaft Plus (Eastern Partnership Plus) A program focused on the EU's Eastern Partnership countries, providing analysis and policy recommendations on EU relations with Eastern European neighbors.
• Ökologische Moderne (Ecological Modernity) A program examining how climate protection, industrial modernity, and liberal democracy can work together through stakeholder dialogues and policy papers on ecological transformation.
• Liberale Demokratie (Liberal Democracy) A program dedicated to the defense and renewal of liberal democracy, examining threats to democratic institutions and promoting democratic values through analyses, events, and convenings.
• Netzwerk Nahost (Middle East Network) A network bringing together political experts, activists, and think tank representatives from Israel, the Palestinian territories, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia to discuss peace prospects and diplomatic initiatives.
• Events and Conferences LibMod organizes and hosts events including the annual 'Russia and the West' conference, international conferences on Ukraine and European security, and regional discussion formats in German cities.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Konrad Adenauer FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organized the international conference 'Geopolitical Turning Point? Ukraine and the Future of the EU' with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, demonstrating strategic collaboration on European security and democratic issues.
• Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (BpB)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor funding partner supporting the five-part event series on Russian-German and Chechen history, with events funded through the summer program.
• Bundesministerium des InnernmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal Ministry of the Interior funding the project 'Lasst die Bubble platzen!' and supporting the Kulturreferat für Russlanddeutsche at the Museum für russlanddeutsche Kulturgeschichte.
• Mosaik Deutschland e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborating partner in the project 'Lasst die Bubble platzen! – Miteinander kontrovers im Dialog' under the federal program 'Gesellschaftlicher Zusammenhalt'.
• Ost-KlickcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore project partner - 'O[s]tklick – Russlanddeutsche für Demokratie im Netz' - a dedicated project for democracy engagement among Russian-Germans, with its own newsletter.
• Integrationshaus e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCooperation partner in the event 'Witz als Überlebensstrategie. Humor als Heimat.' organized in partnership with Integrationshaus e.V.
• New Eurasian Strategies Centre (NEST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational expert network partner - collaborated on Russia-China roundtable discussions and analytical work on Sino-Russian relations.
• Leipziger Else-Frenkel-Brunswik-Institut für Demokratieforschung (EFBI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for joint events on democracy research, specifically the conference 'Zum Demokratieverständnis in Sachsen-Anhalt und Ostdeutschland'.
• TES e.V. (Trägerverein Emmertsgrunder Stadtteilmanagement)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal partner supporting the Emmertsgrunder Kultursommers event series.
• HeidelBERG-Café e.V.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue and co-organizing partner for events in Heidelberg.

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jacques Delors Centre (Hertie School): Berlin-based European policy think tank focused on EU integration, democratic resilience, and economic policy. Comparable in size, academic-policy orientation, and emphasis on European democratic reform debates.
• Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit: Liberal political foundation affiliated with Germany's FDP, active in democracy support, European integration, and Eastern Europe. The closest ideological peer given LibMod's explicit liberal-democracy mission and 'free thinkers' positioning.
• Aspen Institute Deutschland: Berlin-based think-and-do tank focused on values-based leadership, democracy, and transatlantic dialogue. Comparable as a non-partisan debate platform convening senior political, civic, and business figures, with a similar convening-and-publication model.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik (DGAP): Berlin-based foreign policy think tank producing analysis on European and international affairs. Closely comparable in mission, German policy orientation, and focus areas including Eastern Europe and transatlantic relations, though larger and more established.
• Körber-Stiftung: Major Hamburg-based operating foundation and think tank active in democratic debate, international politics, and Eastern engagement. Directly comparable as a non-profit policy and debate platform with substantial programmatic activity and event-driven engagement.
• Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP): German federal government's leading foreign and security policy think tank. Comparable on Russia/Ukraine, European security, and policy advisory work, though larger and more directly tied to government commissions.
• Das Progressive Zentrum: Berlin-based progressive think tank working on democracy, European policy, and societal cohesion. Comparable in size, Berlin footprint, and focus on liberal-democratic renewal and Eastern Germany engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Bertelsmann Stiftung: One of Germany's largest operating foundations, with major programs in democracy, European affairs, and socio-political analysis. Comparable in non-profit policy orientation, though far larger and more diversified.
• Stiftung Mercator: Large German private foundation active in European integration, democracy, climate, and cultural education. Comparable as a non-profit policy actor, with broader thematic scope and a substantially larger endowment.
• Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung: Green-affiliated German political foundation with strong programs in democracy, Eastern Europe (especially Ukraine), ecological transformation, and international dialogue. Directly comparable on multiple LibMod themes, with a much larger institutional footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/LiberaleModerne
• Facebookde-de.facebook.com/policy.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zentrum Liberale Moderne