ASKO Europe Foundation

Name

ASKO Europe Foundation

Legal name

ASKO Europa-Stiftung

Website

https://asko-europa-stiftung.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ASKO Europa-Stiftung is a Saarbrücken-based charitable foundation (since 1990) that promotes European integration, sustainability, and civic engagement in the Greater Region through scholarships (START Saar), international study programs, conferences, and academic publications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Civic foundation services
• European education programs
• Sustainability initiatives
• Scholarship programs
• Cross-border cooperation

Headquarters

HQ city

Saarbrücken

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation funding and project financing: ASKO Europa-Stiftung is a charitable civil law foundation (Stiftung des bürgerlichen Rechts) established in 1990, funded originally by ASKO Deutsche Kaufhaus AG and ASKO Vereinigung e.V. The foundation operates as a non-profit organization pursuing charitable objectives in science, education, international understanding, democratic citizenship, and civic engagement. It does not generate commercial revenue. Funding supports scholarships (e.g., START Saar), international study programs, conference series (e.g., Saarbrücker Europa-Runde, Europa-Podium), and project co-financing with partner organizations. The foundation also receives co-sponsorship for awards such as the Arno-Krause Prize and the DFH Excellence Award.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ASKO Europe Foundation is a charitable civil-law foundation that initiates and accompanies regional, European, and international projects linking the themes of Europe and sustainability. It delivers scholarship programs (such as START Saar), international study programs, panel discussions, publications, and educational initiatives to young people, students, municipalities, academia, and civil society organizations across the Greater Region (Saarland, Lorraine, Luxembourg) and beyond.

Product overview

ASKO Europa-Stiftung operates as a civic foundation focused on connecting Europe and sustainability themes. Its portfolio consists of multiple distinct programs and initiatives organized as a unified foundation offering: the START Saar scholarship program supporting secondary students with a migration background; the International European Studies international study programs; the Saarbrücker Europa-Runde panel discussion series; the Nachhaltigkeit und Kommunen sustainability series for municipalities; the Europa-Podium annual European panel during the German-French Week; the German-French Sustainability Dialog; the Encouraging Sustainability educational initiative; the StiftungsForumSaar networking platform; the Arno-Krause-Preis academic award; and the Denkart Europa book series published with NOMOS. The foundation also supports StudienStiftungSaar, Young European Federalists, and German-French University excellence awards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• START Saar Scholarship Program A scholarship program for secondary school students with migration background in Saarland, providing monthly education allowances, laptops, and printers, along with coaching on a wide range of topics to support academic achievement and social integration.
• Internationale Europastudien (International European Studies) International study programs offered jointly with the European Academy of Otzenhausen since 2002, providing students, young professionals, and multipliers from politics and administration with an overview of EU history, structure, international role, and current political and societal challenges through intercultural seminars.
• Saarbr\u00fccker Europa-Runde (Saarbr\u00fccken Panel on Europe) An event series initiated in 2019 in cooperation with the European Academy of Otzenhausen, IHK Saarland, and the Europa-Institut of Saarland University, featuring panel discussions throughout the year with renowned speakers on current European topics relevant to Saarland and the Greater Region.
• Nachhaltigkeit und Kommunen (Sustainability and Municipalities) An event series providing municipal decision-makers in Saarland with practical knowledge and options for action to effectively reduce the consequences of climate change and implement sustainable strategies at the municipal level.
• Europa-Podium (European Podium) An annual panel discussion organized since 2008 during the German-French Week in January, bringing together speakers from Germany, France, and optionally a third EU member state to discuss current Franco-German and European topics from an interdisciplinary perspective.
• Deutsch-Franz\u00f6sischer Nachhaltigkeitsdialog (German-French Sustainability Dialog) A forum created in 2021 by the Deutsch-Französische Hochschule (DFH) in cooperation with ASKO Europa-Stiftung to intensify scientific and societal dialogue on sustainability between France and Germany, covering climate, mobility, health, biodiversity, energy, space, and architecture.
• Bildungsinitiative Mut zur Nachhaltigkeit (Encouraging Sustainability) An educational initiative launched in 2006 in cooperation with the European Academy of Otzenhausen and Stiftung Forum für Verantwortung, mobilizing citizens through scientifically grounded public discourse on responsible action for the Earth system; includes a 13-volume book series, educational materials, and seminars.
• Denkart Europa | Mindset Europe Book Series A book series published by ASKO Europa-Stiftung in cooperation with the European Academy of Otzenhausen since 2004 at NOMOS publishers, making scientifically sound analyses on European topics available to a broader public; current volume (38, 2026) covers European resilience, integration history, trade agreements, digital technologies, and sustainability.
• Arno-Krause-Preis (Arno Krause Prize) A prize awarded since 2016 by ASKO Europa-Stiftung for outstanding achievements by graduates of the Master's program in European and International Law at the Europa-Institut of Saarland University, recognizing performance in international moot court competitions and simulations (Vis Moot, FDI Moot, EuroSim).
• StiftungsForumSaar A networking and cooperation platform for Saarland foundations established in 2011, organized by ASKO Europa-Stiftung and other Saarland foundations in cooperation with Sparkasse Saarbrücken, Bank1Saar, and SaarLB; holds the biennial Saarland Foundation Day.

Quantifiable outcome

• 28 workshops in 12 schools reaching 613 students in 2025 (Grenzen überwinden – Europa erleben project)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Europäische Akademie Otzenhausen gGmbH (EAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe EAO is the central venue and primary operational partner for ASKO Europa-Stiftung's project implementation. Together with the foundation, the EAO has co-organized the international study programs (since 2002, approximately 22 per year), the Europa-Podium (since 2008), and the 'Encouraging Sustainability' educational initiative (since 2006). The EAO provides seminar facilities in Nonnweiler and thematic expertise through its department structure. The two organizations are jointly responsible for managing the Europäische Akademie Otzenhausen property within the 'Partners for Europe' network.
• Stiftung europäische Kultur und Bildung (SEKB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEKB is one of the four non-profit organizations forming the 'Partners for Europe' network together with ASKO Europa-Stiftung. SEKB focuses on European culture and education. While maintaining organizational autonomy, the partners jointly implement selected projects across education, science, research, culture, politics, and economics. SEKB co-owns and jointly supports the Europäische Akademie Otzenhausen facility.
• Stiftung Forum EUROPA LuxemburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForum EUROPA Luxemburg is a foundation based in Luxembourg City that forms part of the 'Partners for Europe' network alongside ASKO Europa-Stiftung. It contributes to the cross-border Greater Region (Saarland-Lorraine-Luxembourg) cooperation framework. Like the other partners, it maintains organizational autonomy while collaborating on joint projects in education and European integration.
• Stiftung Forum für VerantwortungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForum für Verantwortung is a non-profit foundation based in Saarbrücken that partners with ASKO Europa-Stiftung in the 'Partners for Europe' network and specifically in the 'Encouraging Sustainability' (Mut zur Nachhaltigkeit) educational initiative. Founded in 2006 together with EAO and ASKO Europa-Stiftung, the initiative addresses sustainability topics through publications, educational materials, and seminars. The foundation co-supports the Europäische Akademie Otzenhausen.
• IHK Saarland (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Saarland Chamber of Industry and Commerce has partnered with ASKO Europa-Stiftung and the Europa-Institut to initiate the Saarbrücker Europa-Runde event series in 2019. IHK Saarland serves as the central venue host for the annual panel discussions, providing access to its business network and corporate members. The partnership brings together business, academic, and civil society perspectives on European topics of relevance to the Saarland economy.
• Europa-Institut, Universität des SaarlandescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Europa-Institut of Saarland University is a key academic partner for ASKO Europa-Stiftung, co-organizing the Saarbrücker Europa-Runde since 2019 and hosting the Arno-Krause Prize award ceremony annually since 2016. The foundation supports the institute's students competing in international moot court competitions (Vis Moot, FDI Moot, EuroSim). Faculty members (Prof. Dr. Marc Bungenberg, Prof. Dr. Thomas Giegerich) regularly serve as panelists and mentors.
• Deutsch-Französische Hochschule (DFH / UFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe German-French University (DFH/UFA) is a key strategic partner for ASKO Europa-Stiftung, with cooperation centering on the annual DFH Excellence Awards (ASKO has donated one prize annually since 2015) and the German-French Sustainability Dialog (initiated by DFH in 2021 with ASKO as co-organizer). The DFH connects over 120 Franco-German binational and trinational degree programs and serves as a platform for academic exchange between the two countries.
• START-Stiftung gemeinnützige GmbH, FrankfurtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTART-Stiftung is a subsidiary of the Gemeinnützige Hertie-Stiftung that coordinates the nationwide START scholarship program. Since 2007, it has coordinated the program in 15 German federal states. ASKO Europa-Stiftung serves as the regional (Saarland) coordinator for the program, which provides scholarships to secondary school students with migration background. The partnership involves joint financing and program support with the Saarland Ministry of Education.
• Gemeinnützige Hertie-StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hertie Foundation is the founding partner of the START program, which was launched in Saarland in 2005 together with ASKO Europa-Stiftung and the Saarland Ministry of Education and Culture. Hertie-Stiftung established START-Stiftung gemeinnützige GmbH as the nationwide coordinating entity in 2007. The foundation provides funding and strategic direction for the scholarship program, which has since expanded to 15 German states.
• Junge Europäische Föderalisten Deutschland e.V. (JEF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA long-term cooperation agreement exists between ASKO Europa-Stiftung (and the 'Partners for Europe' network) and JEF Germany, signed in April 2016. JEF is a non-partisan political youth organization with over 3,000 members (German chapter) and approximately 30,000 activists across Europe, campaigning for a democratically united Europe since 1949. Cooperation focuses on youth engagement, European federalism education, seminars, youth meetings, and conferences in Saarland. JEF provides voluntary commitment, content expertise, and youth participation know-how.
• Europa-Union SaarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropa-Union Saar is a regional chapter of the European Union movement in Saarland. It cooperates with ASKO Europa-Stiftung, EAO, SEKB, and JEF in organizing joint seminars, youth meetings, and conferences focused on European integration, democracy, and civic participation.
• StudienStiftungSaarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2014, ASKO Europa-Stiftung and StudienStiftungSaar jointly fund five scholarships for students with migration background. The partnership aims to promote Saarland as a study destination for talented young people and to strengthen regional competitiveness. StudienStiftungSaar serves as the follow-up mentor for former START Saar scholars entering higher education, providing financial support, coaching, and networking with companies and universities.
• Union Stiftung, SaarbrückenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion Stiftung collaborates with ASKO Europa-Stiftung on the 'Sustainability and Municipalities' event series, which supports municipal decision-makers in Saarland in developing sustainable and climate-friendly strategies. Union Stiftung contributes thematic expertise on sustainability topics, and its managing director Michael Scholl serves as a key ideation partner for the series.
• IZES GmbH (Institut für Zukunftsenergie- und Stoffstromsysteme)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIZES GmbH is an affiliated institute of HTW Saarland that partners with ASKO Europa-Stiftung and Union Stiftung on the 'Sustainability and Municipalities' series. IZES contributes expert presentations on climate adaptation, sustainability strategies, and municipal planning. It is listed among the foundation's research institution network.
• Nomos VerlagsgesellschaftminorOthersNomos Verlag is the publishing partner for the foundation's 'Denkart Europa | Mindset Europe' book series, published since 2004. All volumes are available for purchase through Nomos. The publisher provides editorial and distribution infrastructure for the foundation's academic publication program.
• Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk (DFJW / OFQJ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Franco-German Youth Office (DFJW) is mentioned in connection with the Regio-Lab project on cross-border mobility in vocational education and training, which is funded by ASKO Europa-Stiftung. DFJW supports youth exchange and cross-border cooperation between Germany and France.
• Konrad-Adenauer-StiftungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner foundation in the ASKO Europa-Stiftung network. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is a German political foundation close to the CDU party, engaged in civic education and international cooperation. Cooperation involves knowledge exchange and participation in the foundation's network activities.
• Deutsch-Amerikanisches Institut Saarland (DAI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe German-American Institute Saarland is listed in the foundation's partner network. It contributes expertise on transatlantic relations, supporting events such as the Saarbrücker Europa-Runde discussions on US-EU trade and the impact of US elections on global trade.
• StiftungsForumSaarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 2011, StiftungsForumSaar is an association of Saarland foundations promoting networking and cooperation among foundations in the region. ASKO Europa-Stiftung is a founding member alongside Stiftung ME Saar, SHS Foundation, Stiftung Bürgerengagement Saar, and three financial institutions (Sparkasse Saarbrücken, Bank1Saar, SaarLB). The Forum organizes the biennial 'Saarland Foundation Day' and provides a platform for exchange on foundation activities, tax, and legal frameworks.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Gemeinnützige Hertie-Stiftung: German foundation that founded the START-Stiftung and co-finances the START Saar scholarship program run in partnership with ASKO. Directly comparable in mission around youth education, civic engagement, and migration-background support.
• Stiftung Mercator: Large German private foundation that supports European integration, education, and sustainability themes. Comparable to ASKO Europa-Stiftung in thematic focus on EU cohesion and civic engagement, though operating at much greater asset scale.
• START-Stiftung gemeinnützige GmbH: Nationwide coordinator of the START scholarship program, with ASKO Europa-Stiftung serving as the regional Saarland coordinator. Directly comparable in mission to support secondary-school students with migration background through scholarships and educational programming.
• Deutsch-Französische Hochschule (DFH/UFA): Binational university consortium and core partner of ASKO on the German-French Sustainability Dialog and Excellence Awards. Comparable as a Franco-German institution advancing academic cooperation, mobility, and cross-border civil-society dialogue.
• Union Stiftung: Saarbrücken-based foundation partnering with ASKO on the 'Nachhaltigkeit und Kommunen' event series for municipal sustainability. Directly comparable as a small Saarland civic foundation focused on sustainability and regional engagement.
• Stiftung europäische Kultur und Bildung (SEKB): Member of ASKO's Partners für Europa network, focused on European culture and education. Most directly comparable as a small German grantmaking foundation with overlapping education and European-integration objectives.
• Europäische Akademie Otzenhausen gGmbH: Core operational partner of ASKO Europa-Stiftung and co-member of the Partners für Europa network. Provides venue and program co-organization for international study programs, Europa-Podium, and sustainability initiatives; nearest functional twin to ASKO.
• Stiftung Forum für Verantwortung: Saarbrücken-based foundation co-founding the 'Mut zur Nachhaltigkeit' educational initiative with ASKO in 2006. Closely comparable as a small German civic foundation with a sustainability and responsibility mandate located in the same city.

Broad incumbents

• Bertelsmann Stiftung: One of the largest German foundations, active across education, European policy, and sustainability. Comparable in theme overlap but operates at a vastly greater scale and on a broader portfolio of programs than ASKO.
• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung: Large German political foundation affiliated with the CDU, engaged in civic education and European/international cooperation. Listed as a partner in ASKO's network; comparable in the civic-education and democracy-promotion mandate though at materially larger scale and broader political remit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiBmgK9lrpqQLRYlzxeKaQQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/events
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asko-europa-stiftung
• Instagraminstagram.com/asko_europa_stiftung

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ASKO Europe Foundation