Katholische Akademie des Bistums Hildesheim

What Katholische Akademie des Bistums Hildesheim does

Katholische Akademie des Bistums Hildesheim is a Catholic adult-education academy and Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts (public-law corporation) under the Diocese of Hildesheim, headquartered at Clemensstraße 1 and operating its Tagungshaus conference facility at Platz an der Basilika 3 in Hannover, Lower Saxony. Founded in 1958 at St. Jakobushaus in Goslar, the academy relocated to Hannover in 2021 following the closure of that site during diocesan cost consolidation. The organization delivers an event-driven program of lectures, seminars, workshops, readings, performances, and panel discussions spanning theology, ethics, democracy, climate, interfaith dialogue, and remembrance culture, with many events offered free of charge. It is recognized as a Heimvolkshochschule under the Niedersächsisches Erwachsenenbildungsgesetz since 1971, qualifying it for state adult-education subsidies, and is accredited as a provider of political education through its AKSB membership and partnership with the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung.

The academy's operations are supported by a six-person team led by Akademiedirektor Thomas Harling, with Dr. Annette Schmidt-Klügmann as editorially responsible officer and Patrizia Niemann heading the Tagungshaus. Its technology stack is non-proprietary: a TYPO3 website CMS and an event-registration platform powered by astendo solutions. Distribution occurs through the academy's own event platform, its Tagungshaus venue, a regional network of partner venues across Lower Saxony (Hannover, Hildesheim, Göttingen, Laatzen, Bremerhaven, Vechta, Loccum, Lüneburg, Bad Nenndorf), and online Zoom events, with promotion via newsletter, social media (Facebook, Instagram, X), partner channels, and earned media coverage by NDR and Deutschlandfunk Kultur. Strategic partnerships span diocesan bodies, ZeitZentrum Zivilcourage, Gedenkstätte Ahlem, the Landesverband der israelitischen Kultusgemeinden von Niedersachsen, multiple universities, and a joint initiative of German Catholic academies addressing church colonial history.

The revenue model is non-commercial and multi-source: diocesan and church subsidies, state (Land Niedersachsen) adult-education grants tied to Heimvolkshochschule status, a mix of free and fee-based event participation, and Tagungshaus venue rental income. The institution is funded through participant fees, church subsidies, and public adult-education grants rather than commercial revenue, and serves primarily the general public, Catholic parishioners, clergy, civil-society actors, and the university community in Lower Saxony and broader northern Germany.

Name

Katholische Akademie des Bistums Hildesheim

Legal name

Katholische Akademie des Bistums Hildesheim

Website

https://kath-akademie-hannover.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Katholische Akademie des Bistums Hildesheim is a Catholic public-law adult-education academy under the Diocese of Hildesheim, operating from Hannover since 2021, delivering event-driven programming on theology, ethics, democracy, and interfaith dialogue across Lower Saxony.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Civic Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Academic & Education Conference Organizers (THAHACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

University & Academic Conference Venues (THAHAAAD), Education, Research & Academic Congresses (THAHAJAD), Academic & Scientific Conferences (MPAGAGAD)

Keywords

• Adult education services
• Civic education programs
• Theological education
• Interfaith dialogue events
• Conference venue rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Hannover

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Event participation fees: Some events are free (many listed as kostenfrei, kostenlos, freier Eintritt), while others charge participation fees. Fee-based events include workshops and seminars. The academy also generates revenue from event organization services at its Tagungshaus venue.
2. Diocesan / institutional funding: As a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts (public-law corporation) of the Diocese of Hildesheim, the academy receives institutional funding from the diocese. It also benefits from recognition as a Heimvolkshochschule under the Niedersächsisches Erwachsenenbildungsgesetz, qualifying for state (Landes) subsidies.
3. Venue rental / Tagungshaus: The Tagungshaus at Clemensstraße / Platz an der Basilika 3 is available for events, generating rental income for the academy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The academy organizes and hosts public lectures, workshops, seminars, readings, performances, and panel discussions on theological, ethical, political, and societal topics for adult learners and the general public. It operates a conference house (Tagungshaus) at Platz an der Basilika 3 in Hannover, available for event rentals, and runs an online event registration platform for participant sign-ups.

Product overview

Katholische Akademie des Bistums Hildesheim operates as a Catholic educational institution offering a unified platform of adult education services centered around its event program and conference facilities. The core offering consists of the Veranstaltungsprogramm (event program) featuring seminars, workshops, lectures, and conferences on theological, ethical, political, and historical topics, supported by an online event registration system powered by astendo solutions GmbH. The Tagungshaus (conference house) in Hannover provides physical facilities for in-person events. Additional services include newsletter subscription, historical-political education programs, and an event archive. The organization serves as a forum for dialogue on faith, society, and democracy, operating as a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts (public law corporation) within the Diocese of Hildesheim.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• St. Jakobushaus Goslar: The original historic location of the academy in Goslar, operating from 1958 to 2021 as the primary seat of the Katholische Akademie. Closed in November 2021 and operations relocated to Hannover.

Products and services

• Event Program (Veranstaltungsprogramm) The primary event program of the academy, offering seminars, workshops, lectures, readings, and conferences on theology, democracy, climate, history, interfaith dialogue, and social ethics. Open to the general public and individual adult learners across Lower Saxony, with both in-person and online formats.
• Tagungshaus (Conference House) Conference facility at Platz an der Basilika 3, 30169 Hannover, offering meeting rooms, seminar spaces, and full event coordination including guest management and quality management for partner organizations and institutions.
• Historical-Political Education Programs Educational programs focused on historical-political education, including workshops on democracy, remembrance culture, anti-racism, and historical topics such as National Socialism and colonialism. Delivered in cooperation with external partners including Gedenkstätte Ahlem and ZeitZentrum Zivilcourage.

Quantifiable outcome

• The reading event 'Die ignorierten Frauen der Bibel' drew over 160 guests (July 2025)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arbeitsgemeinschaft katholisch-sozialer Bildungswerke e.V. (AKSB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAKSB is a recognized provider of the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (Federal Agency for Civic Education). The Katholische Akademie is a member of AKSB and benefits from this partnership for political education credibility and program access. Events such as the workshop on conversational tactics against right-wing rhetoric are held under AKSB's umbrella.
• Israel Jacobson NetzwerkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on events related to Jewish life and post-1945 identity, such as the reading 'Spur und Abweg' held under the Israel Jacobson Netzwerk's year theme 'Neubeginn – jüdisches Leben nach 1945'.
• ZeitZentrum Zivilcourage, HannovercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular cooperation partner for democracy education, remembrance culture, and extremism prevention events. Co-organized seminars on NS networks in the early BND, civil courage, and historical consciousness.
• Freizeitheim Linden, HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for the workshop 'Gesprächsführung gegen rechte Parolen'. The Freizeitheim provides the venue and participates in program co-design.
• Pfarrgemeinde St. Oliver, LaatzenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular cooperation partner for events in the Laatzen area, such as the lecture 'Wieviel Religion verträgt die Demokratie?' held at the parish.
• Gedenkstätte AhlemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for seminars on civil courage, right-wing extremism, and democratic culture, held at the memorial site (Gedenkstätte). First seminar day of multi-day events often takes place at this location.
• Landesverband der israelitischen Kultusgemeinden von NiedersachsencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for interfaith and Jewish-Christian dialogue events, including the poddiscusion 'Juden und Christen in Deutschland nach dem 7. Oktober 2023' featuring Dr. Rebecca Seidler of the Landesverband and Bishop Dr. Heiner Wilmer.
• ka:punkt, HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue and co-organizer for events on migration, Jewish life, and societal topics (e.g., readings and discussions).
• Palästinensische Gemeinde Deutschland – Hannover e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for the performance and talk 'Between The River And The Sea' with Yousef Sweid, addressing Palestinian-Israeli identity and dialogue.
• Stabsabteilung Prävention, Intervention und Aufarbeitung sexualisierter Gewalt des Bistums HildesheimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing cooperation on events addressing sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, including the theater piece 'Der Weg zur Hölle ist mit guten Absichten gepflastert' and the panel 'Nicht wegsehen.'
• Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (bpb)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvents are supported by the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung through the academy's membership in AKSB, qualifying the political education programming for federal recognition and support.
• Katholische Akademien network (multiple German dioceses)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst joint initiative of several Catholic academies in Germany to address church colonial history. Partner academies include: Akademie Franz Hitze Haus Münster, Haus am Dom Frankfurt, Katholische Akademie Dresden-Meißen, Bischöfliche Akademie Aachen.
• Bischöfliche Stiftung Gemeinsam für das LebenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for healthcare ethics events, such as the panel 'Versorgung: Ausreichend? – Pflege zwischen Kostendruck und Qualität'.
• Katholische Hochschulgemeinde GöttingenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular partner for university-level events in Göttingen, including interfaith dialogue and extremism prevention workshops.
• kargah e. V., HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the 'Wohnzimmer der gemeinsamen Geschichten' project, addressing memory culture, migration, and decolonization.
• Stadtteilkultur / Freizeitheime HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple facilities (Freizeitheim Vahrenwald, Freizeitheim Linden, Stadtteilzentrum Ricklingen, Lister Turm) serve as venues and co-organizers for events on media literacy, democracy education, and climate.
• NDR / Deutschlandfunk KulturminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMedia partners for coverage and moderation of events, including NDR's Birgit Langhammer (moderating 'Gespaltene Demokratie im Krieg') and Deutschlandfunk Kultur's Katrin Heise (moderating 'Visionen des Friedens aus der Ferne').
• Diözesanrat der Katholik*innen, Bistum HildesheimminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of joint events, including the reading 'Die ignorierten Frauen der Bibel' with Dr. Annette Jantzen.
• Christliche Arbeiterjugend (CAJ), Diözesanverband HildesheimminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the conference 'Gemeinsam gegen rechts' and in the Kirchentag workshop on recognizing right-wing codes.
• Caritasverband für die Diözese Hildesheim e.V. (DiCV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Gemeinsam gegen rechts' conference and broader social engagement activities of the diocese.
• Jugendpastoral im Bistum HildesheimminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Gemeinsam gegen rechts' conference and youth-focused events.
• Katholischer Deutscher Frauenbund e.V. (KDFB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'Gemeinsam gegen rechts' conference.
• Ritterorden vom Heiligen Grab zu Jerusalem, Komturei St. Oliver HildesheimminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for the event 'Die Heilige Stadt?' on Christian life in Jerusalem.
• Umweltzentrum Hannover e. V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for events on climate protection and sustainable nutrition, such as the market-to-farm excursion 'Klimaschutz und Ernährung?'.
• Theater für Niedersachsen (TfN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the theater production 'Der Weg zur Hölle ist mit guten Absichten gepflastert' addressing sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
• RIAS NiedersachsenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for the seminar 'Zwischen Anpassung und Zivilcourage' on right-wing extremism and civil courage.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (bpb): Federal Agency for Civic Education; funds and accredits the academy's political-education programming via AKSB. Operates the same civic-education mandate nationally at much larger scale.
• Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung: Political foundation affiliated with the Greens running civic-education events, democracy workshops, and dialogue formats that overlap with the academy's political-education programming (climate, democracy, extremism).
• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung: Large political foundation running extensive civic-education, dialogue, and conference programming across Germany. Operates a similar adult-education/event-driven model but at national scale and tied to CDU rather than the Catholic Church.
• Arbeitsgemeinschaft katholisch-sozialer Bildungswerke (AKSB): National umbrella association of Catholic social-education institutions through which the academy accesses Bundeszentrale-für-politische-Bildung funding. Sets standards and accredits political-education programming across member Catholic academies.

Direct peers

• Haus am Dom: Catholic academy and event venue of the Diocese of Limburg / Frankfurt; named partner in the academy's joint colonial-history project. Runs the same combination of theology, civic education, and interfaith dialogue with comparable audience and partner network.
• Evangelische Akademie Loccum: Protestant academy in Lower Saxony — the most direct regional peer. Operates an event-driven adult-education model on theology, ethics, and society, and is referenced as a partner venue in the academy's own event programming.
• Akademie Franz Hitze Haus: Catholic academy of the Diocese of Münster; explicitly named as a partner in the academy's first joint initiative on church colonial history. Operates the same model of adult-education events, theological reflection, and political dialogue under another German diocese.
• Katholische Akademie Dresden-Meißen: Catholic academy of the Diocese of Dresden-Meißen; explicitly named as a co-organizer of the academy's joint initiative. Closely comparable scope of programs, diocesan parent structure, and public-law status.
• Bischöfliche Akademie Aachen: Catholic academy of the Diocese of Aachen; named as the fourth academy in the joint initiative. Same theological + political-education positioning and similar diocese-affiliated governance.

Regional players

• Volkshochschule Hannover: Regional state-subsidized adult-education center serving the same Hannover market. Competes for the same adult learners on secular topics, while the academy differentiates via theological foundation and AKSB-accredited political programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KathAkademieH
• Facebookfacebook.com/Katholische-Akademie-Hannover-111579211663470
• Instagraminstagram.com/katholischeakademiehannover?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/katholische-akademie-hannover

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Katholische Akademie des Bistums Hildesheim