Forum Menschenrechte

What Forum Menschenrechte does

Forum Menschenrechte e.V. is a Berlin-headquartered non-profit association founded in 1994 following the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights. It operates as a coordination network for more than 50 German non-governmental organizations active in human rights advocacy, structured around eight thematic working groups: Antirassismus (anti-racism), Außenpolitik & UN (foreign policy & UN), Entwicklung & Wirtschaft (development & economy), Flucht & Migration (flight & migration), Frieden (peace), Kinderrechte (children's rights), Rechte von Frauen & LSBTI* (women's & LSBTI* rights), and Soziale Menschenrechte in Deutschland (social human rights in Germany). The organization is funded exclusively through tiered membership fees — EUR 800/year for small organizations (annual budget under 1M EUR), EUR 4,900/year for medium organizations (1-20M EUR budget), and EUR 9,800/year for large organizations (over 20M EUR budget) — with voluntary project financing also welcomed. Its 5-person secretariat, led by Geschäftsstellenleiterin Marie-Sophie Keller, coordinates outputs including the annual Aide-Mémoires compilation (90 policy briefs in 2025 covering 50 countries and 40 thematic areas) and a member-only intranet for coalition coordination.

The network serves two primary constituents: its member organizations (which gain collective advocacy leverage, joint statements, and access to working groups) and German government institutions — notably the Bundestag, the Federal Foreign Ministry, and the UN Human Rights Council — which receive consolidated expert human rights analysis. Products and services are non-commercial and include the annual Aide-Mémoires, a searchable "Erkunden" document archive, thematic working group outputs, an email newsletter, and a member intranet. Revenue is exclusively recurring subscription-style membership contributions, scaled to member budgets, with no external investors, no parent company, and no commercial monetization of outputs. Governance is exercised through a Plenum meeting three to four times per year and a Koordinationskreis of eight elected members serving two-year terms; a new Vorstand was elected on 1 June 2026.

Underlying technology is a standard WordPress content management system with no proprietary or AI components. Distribution is primarily through direct policy engagement with German ministries and parliament, complemented by a public website, newsletter, and social channels (Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn). Forum Menschenrechte does not operate internationally as a service provider — its geographic scope for policy distribution is Germany, though its thematic work addresses human rights issues globally.

Name

Forum Menschenrechte

Legal name

Forum Menschenrechte e.V.

Website

https://forum-menschenrechte.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Forum Menschenrechte is a Berlin-based non-profit network of over 50 German NGOs that coordinates joint human rights advocacy, publishes annual Aide-Mémoires for German policymakers, and operates eight thematic working groups including anti-racism, migration, and children's rights.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Human Rights Advocacy Network

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

United Nations System & Specialized Agencies (BPADAAAA)

Keywords

• Human rights advocacy
• Civil society network
• Policy advocacy
• NGO coordination
• Human rights publications

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. Member Organization Contributions: The Forum Menschenrechte is financed exclusively through contributions from its member organizations. Member fees are structured according to organizational size.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Forum Menschenrechte is a network of over 50 German human rights NGOs that coordinates joint policy advocacy, produces annual country- and topic-specific human rights analyses (Aide-Mémoires), and operates eight thematic working groups (Antiracism, Foreign Policy & UN, Development & Economy, Flight & Migration, Peace, Children's Rights, Women's & LSBTI* Rights, and Social Human Rights in Germany). It facilitates structured dialogue with the German federal government, the Bundestag, and the UN Human Rights Council, presenting consolidated civil society recommendations to policymakers. The organization finances itself exclusively through tiered membership contributions from its member organizations.

Product overview

Forum Menschenrechte is a network organization of over 50 German NGOs united for human rights advocacy. Rather than a unified software product, it operates as a coordination platform with multiple offerings: (1) the Aide-Mémoires annual publication series providing country-specific and thematic human rights analyses to policymakers, (2) eight thematic working groups producing joint positions and advocacy materials, (3) the Erkunden document archive providing searchable access to all published reports and statements, (4) a newsletter service for public communications, and (5) an internal member intranet for coordination. These offerings function together as an integrated human rights advocacy ecosystem rather than a commercial software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aide-Mémoires 2025 An annual compilation of 90 Aide-Mémoires produced by member organizations covering 50 countries and 40 thematic topics, presented to German politicians and relevant institutions to inform German human rights policy.
• Arbeitsgruppen (Thematic Working Groups) Eight thematic working groups covering Antirassismus (Anti-Racism), Außenpolitik & UN (Foreign Policy & UN), Entwicklung & Wirtschaft (Development & Economy), Flucht & Migration (Flight & Migration), Frieden (Peace), Kinderrechte (Children's Rights), Rechte von Frauen & LSBTI* (Women's & LSBTI* Rights), and Soziale Menschenrechte in Deutschland (Social Human Rights in Germany), which produce joint positions, reports, and advocacy materials.
• Erkunden (Explore) Document Archive A searchable public archive containing all reports, statements, Aide-Mémoires, interviews, newsletters, press releases and other documents published by Forum Menschenrechte, organized by type and topic.
• Newsletter A subscription-based email service providing regular updates and event information about human rights issues and Forum Menschenrechte activities directly to subscribers' inboxes.
• FORUM MENSCHENRECHTE Intranet An internal member-only portal providing access to internal resources, coordination materials, and member-only communications for the member organizations of Forum Menschenrechte.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

52 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Member Organizations (50+ German NGOs)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994Forum Menschenrechte is composed of over 50 German NGOs that are members of the network. Member organizations work together on human rights advocacy, share information, and coordinate positions on German and international human rights policy. The organization finances itself exclusively through member contributions.
• Akademisches Netzwerk Osteuropa e.V. (akno)minorOthersIndependent, non-profit organization promoting science, education, culture, and civil society exchange in Germany, Europe, and the post-Soviet region.
• Aktion der Christen für die Abschaffung der Folter (ACAT)minorOthersCalls Christians to prayer and responsible action against torture and the death penalty, based on Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• Aktionsgemeinschaft Dienst für den Frieden (AGDF)minorOthersUmbrella association of peace services active since 1968 with 34 member organizations.
• Amnesty International Deutschland e.V.minorOthersWorldwide membership organization independent of governments, political parties, ideologies, economic interests, and religions, financing itself exclusively through donations and membership fees.
• Bahá'í-Gemeinde in Deutschland K.d.ö.R.minorOthersMaintains contacts with the German government, Bundestag, political foundations, NGOs, and national media through its Berlin office.
• Bischöfliches Hilfswerk MisereorminorOthersThe Catholic Church's development cooperation agency established in 1958 by the German Bishops' Conference.
• Bundesfachverband Minderjährigkeit und Flucht e.V. (BuMF)minorOthersAssociation of organizations and individuals involved in the care of unaccompanied minor refugees in Germany.
• Bundesverband Trans* (BVT*)minorOthersAssociation of individuals, groups, clubs, associations, and initiatives working for gender self-determination and diversity.
• Bundesweite AG der Psychosozialen Zentren für Flüchtlinge und Folteropfer (BAFF)minorOthersUmbrella association of over 50 psychosocial centers providing psychological, therapeutic, legal, social, and medical support to refugees.
• Bundesweiter Koordinierungskreis gegen Menschenhandel (KOK e.V.)minorOthersAssociation working for human rights-oriented policy against human trafficking, founded in 1999 with 43 member organizations.
• Connection e.V.minorOthersOrganization working on peace and conscientious objection issues.
• Der Paritätische GesamtverbandminorOthersOne of six umbrella associations of free welfare organizations in Germany, representing over 10,000 member organizations.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für die Vereinten Nationen (DGVN)minorOthersCentral information hub on the United Nations and its specialized agencies in Germany, founded in 1952.
• Deutsche Kommission Justitia et PaxminorOthersCatholic commission for development, human rights, and peace, present in around 80 countries.
• Deutsche UNESCO-Kommission e.V.minorOthersCoordination, liaison, and advisory body for all UNESCO work areas in Germany.
• Deutscher FrauenratminorOthersUmbrella association of around 60 nationwide women's organizations, the largest women's and equality policy interest representation in Germany.
• Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund (DGB)minorOthersDemocratically structured umbrella association of eight member trade unions representing German workers.
• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz e.V. (DRK)minorOthersPart of the worldwide Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, providing indiscriminate assistance to victims of conflicts, disasters, and other vulnerable people.
• European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR)minorOthersNon-profit, independent human rights organization using legal means to strengthen human rights enforcement.
• Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (EKD)minorOthersUmbrella of 24 regional Protestant churches, with human rights education and public relations work conducted through its human rights unit.
• EWDE – Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und EntwicklungminorOthersCombines development service, disaster relief, and nationwide diaconal work under one roof, including Brot für die Welt and Diakonie Deutschland.
• FIAN Deutschland e.V.minorOthersInternational human rights organization for the right to adequate food, founded in 1986, with advisory status at the UN.
• Friedrich-Ebert-StiftungminorOthersFoundation working worldwide for democracy, social justice, peace, and solidarity, coordinating human rights work through its Geneva office.
• Friedrich-Naumann-StiftungminorOthersFoundation for liberal politics promoting freedom in human dignity through political education, policy dialogue, and consulting.
• GermanwatchminorOthersOrganization committed to global justice and preserving livelihoods, with focus on human rights, fair trade, responsible finance, and climate change.
• Gesellschaft für bedrohte Völker (GfbV)minorOthersOrganization advocating for ethnic and religious minorities, nationalities, and peoples threatened by genocide, present in six European countries with UN advisory status.
• Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte e.V. (GFF)minorOthersUses strategic litigation to strengthen fundamental and human rights in Germany and Europe.
• Heinrich-Böll-StiftungminorOthersFoundation promoting human, civil, and minority rights through political education domestically and projects abroad.
• Human Rights Watch e.V.minorOthersInternational NGO headquartered in New York, independent and funded exclusively by individual and private foundation donations.
• Interessenvertretung Selbstbestimmt Leben in Deutschland e.V. (ISL)minorOthersHuman rights-oriented self-representation organization of disabled people, founded in 1990.
• Internationale Frauenliga für Frieden und Freiheit (IFFF/WILPF)minorOthersWomen's peace organization founded in 1915 with over 40 sections worldwide, accredited to the UN with offices in New York and Geneva.
• Internationale Gesellschaft für Menschenrechte (IGFM)minorOthersFounded in 1972 with approximately 25,000 individual and 32,000 institutional members worldwide, 26 sections, with consultative status at the Council of Europe.
• IPPNWminorOthersPhysicians' organization researching nuclear weapons developments and advocating for abolition of all nuclear weapons.
• JUMEN e.V.minorOthersFounded in 2016, uses legal means including strategic litigation to advance fundamental and human rights in Germany.
• KindernothilfeminorOthersOne of the largest Christian children's aid organizations in Europe, founded in 1959, reaching over 1.5 million children in approximately 1000 projects.
• LSVD+ – Verband Queere VielfaltminorOthersCivil rights association representing LGBTQIA+ people since 1990, the largest such association in Germany.
• medica mondiale e.V.minorOthersFeminist women's rights organization working for over 30 years against sexualized war violence.
• missio AachenminorOthersInternational Catholic missionary organization partnered with Catholic churches in Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
• National Coalition DeutschlandminorOthersNetwork of around 120 nationwide organizations working to fully implement children's rights in Germany, founded in 1995.
• Nürnberger MenschenrechtszentrumminorOthersHuman rights center working locally, nationally, and internationally from Nuremberg for the protection and strengthening of human rights.
• Pax ChristiminorOthersEcumenical peace movement within the Catholic Church, active in over 60 countries worldwide.
• PRO ASYLminorOthersNationwide association of refugee initiatives, churches, trade unions, welfare, and human rights organizations advocating for refugees.
• pro familia Bundesverband e.V.minorOthersLeading professional association for sexual counseling, sexual pedagogy, and family planning in Germany, founded in 1952.
• Reporter ohne GrenzenminorOthersDefends press freedom, supports censored media, and advocates for persecuted journalists, with German section having approximately 2000 members.
• Survival International Deutschland e.V.minorOthersGlobal movement for indigenous peoples' rights with supporters in over 100 countries, awarded the Alternative Nobel Prize in 1989.
• Terre des FemmesminorOthersNon-profit human rights organization for girls and women, founded in 1981, with headquarters in Berlin.
• terre des hommes – Hilfe für Kinder in NotminorOthersChildren's rights organization making children and youth strong and protecting them from violence and exploitation.
• urgewald e.V.minorOthersFor over 30 years has revealed financiers behind destructive projects and companies, providing unique databases for the financial industry.
• Vereinte Evangelische Mission (VEM)minorOthersWorking in a network of 33 Protestant churches from Asia, Africa, and Germany, supporting human rights work.
• Werkstatt ÖkonomieminorOthersContributes to enforcement of social and economic human rights, producing studies and action consulting on global economic and development policy issues.
• UN Human Rights CouncilcoreOthersForum Menschenrechte coordinates all activities related to the UN Human Rights Council and observes its sessions with regular reporting. The organization prepares political discussions with the Foreign Minister and Human Rights Commissioner.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Human Rights House Foundation: Network of independent Human Rights Houses in 20 countries supporting NGOs and activists. Comparable coalition model providing infrastructure, networking, and institutional access for human rights civil society, though more focused on physical co-location.
• EuroMed Rights (Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders): Network of over 80 human rights organizations in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Directly comparable as a regional NGO coalition coordinating human rights advocacy, joint statements, and institutional engagement.
• BUKO (Bundeskoordination Internationalismus): German network of around 100 politically engaged NGOs focused on internationalism and human rights. Closely comparable model: coalition of German NGOs coordinating advocacy, producing joint statements, and engaging with policymakers.
• VENRO (Verband Entwicklungspolitik und Humanitäre Hilfe deutscher Nichtregierungsorganisationen): German umbrella association of roughly 140 NGOs in development policy and humanitarian aid. Directly comparable as a national NGO coordinating coalition with government advocacy, working groups, and member-funded model — operating in adjacent human rights/development space with overlapping members.
• DGVN (Deutsche Gesellschaft für die Vereinten Nationen): German UN-focused information and advocacy organization founded 1952. A direct member of Forum Menschenrechte, operating comparable UN engagement and policy dialogue with German government on multilateral issues.

Broad incumbents

• Der Paritätische Gesamtverband: One of Germany's six welfare umbrella associations representing over 10,000 member organizations. A member of Forum Menschenrechte, this is a much larger and more established NGO coalition operating in adjacent social welfare/human rights space.
• CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation: Global civil society alliance with national affiliates in many countries. Comparable as a multi-tier advocacy coalition structure, though operating globally rather than nationally, with similar mission of amplifying civil society voice to institutions.
• FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights): Global federation of 192 national human rights organizations. Comparable as an international NGO coalition structure, though operating globally and with both Amnesty International Deutschland and Forum members in its network.

Regional players

• Concord (European NGO confederation for relief and development): European-level confederation of 2,600+ NGOs working on development and human rights. Comparable coalition-of-coalitions structure, though operating at the EU level rather than national level.
• ILGA-Europe (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association – European Region): European umbrella of over 600 LGBTQI+ organizations. Comparable coalition structure advocating on a specific human rights vertical to EU institutions and member states, including coordinated policy engagement with Germany.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/forummr.bsky.social
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/forum-menschenrechte
• Instagraminstagram.com/forummenschenrechte

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Forum Menschenrechte