Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa

What Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa does

Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa (Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe) is a German independent non-profit foundation founded in 1971 by Pauline Schwarzkopf in Hamburg and headquartered since 2000 in Berlin-Mitte. The foundation implements educational, dialogue, and participation programmes for young people aged 14–29 across Europe, structured around four integrated core networks: the European Youth Parliament (EYP), which is one of Europe's largest youth civic-education organisations with operations in 40+ countries and approximately 25,000 young participants annually; Understanding Europe, a peer-to-peer democracy-education programme active in 11 countries that brings European policy topics into classrooms; the Young Islam Conference (JIK), a dialogue forum on migration society; and Postmigrant Europe, which promotes alliances in pluralistic European societies. Supporting the core networks are awards (Young European of the Year, Schwarzkopf Europe Award, Margot Friedländer Award, Inge Deutschkron Award), academies (Medienakademie, Sommerakademie), educational travel programmes (Europa Erleben, Postmigrantische Europareise, Reisestipendien), and newer initiatives including Young Ambassadors Against Antisemitism, the Youth Movement & Campaign Accelerator (YMCA), the Young European Security Conference, and Zukunft D.

The foundation operates a platform-plus-programmes architecture rather than a technology stack: programme delivery relies on in-person sessions, workshops, conferences, and youth-led governance bodies (EYP Governing Body, Understanding Europe Coordinators, JIK Fellows, Junge Jury, Young Ambassadors gremium). There is no proprietary software product, app, or AI system disclosed; distribution is via direct programme delivery through the foundation's own networks plus a multi-channel marketing presence (website in German/English, newsletter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X/Twitter, YouTube, Facebook) and earned media coverage in major German outlets. Pricing is not applicable in a commercial sense: programmes are offered free of charge to participants, and the Young European of the Year award is endowed with €5,000 for project funding.

The foundation's business model is a non-profit grant-and-donation model. Revenue sources include EU funding (Erasmus+ for EYP international sessions, European Commission co-financing for YMCA), German federal funding via BMFSFJ through the Demokratie leben! programme supporting the Kompetenznetzwerk Zusammenleben in der Migrationsgesellschaft, European Commission Representation in Germany funding for awards, private donations collected via the website and the Betterplace donation platform, and a Circle of Friends (Freundeskreis) membership programme chaired by Prof. Dr. Mazda Adli. The foundation is governed by a board chaired by Esra Küçük, with Dr. Seyran Bostancı serving as Executive Director since December 1, 2025 following Tomáš Sacher's departure. Specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa

Legal name

Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa

Website

https://schwarzkopf-stiftung.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa is a Berlin-based German non-profit foundation, founded in 1971, that runs civic-education and youth-participation programmes across Europe. It operates four core networks — the European Youth Parliament (40+ countries, ~25,000 youth annually), Understanding Europe (11 countries), the Young Islam Conference, and Postmigrant Europe — funded by EU, federal German, and private grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Civic Education Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), International Affairs (928120), Business Associations (81391)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Government-Sponsored Scholarships & Exchange Funding (EDAIAOAF), Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs (EDADALAA), Erasmus+ and Government-Sponsored Exchange Partnerships (EDAIABAJ), International & Comparative Education Policy Organizations (EDADADAL)

Keywords

• Civic education programs
• Youth participation initiatives
• European integration education
• Democracy education services
• Cultural dialogue forums

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grants and Donations: The Schwarzkopf Foundation and its programmes are financed by grants and donations. The foundation receives funding from government sources (BMFSFJ/Demokratie leben!), European Union (Erasmus+), and private donors. They accept donations through their website and maintain a Circle of Friends membership program.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa is a non-profit foundation that implements educational, dialogue, and participation projects for young people across Europe. Its core offerings center on four flagship programs — the European Youth Parliament (EYP), Understanding Europe, Young Islam Conference, and Postmigrant Europe — supplemented by awards, conferences, educational trips, travel grants, and ambassador/accelerator programs that equip young people with knowledge, skills, and platforms for civic engagement.

Product overview

The Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa (Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe) is a foundation implementing educational, dialogue and participation projects for young people across Europe. The organization operates a platform-plus-programmes architecture centered around four major youth networks: the European Youth Parliament (EYP), one of Europe's largest youth organizations reaching ~25,000 young people annually; Understanding Europe, an educational network active in 11 countries providing peer-to-peer democracy education; the Young Islam Conference (JIK), a dialogue forum on migration society topics; and Postmigrant Europe, promoting postmigrant perspectives. Supporting these core programmes are awards (Young European of the Year, Schwarzkopf Europe Award, Margot Friedländer Award, Inge Deutschkron Award), specialized academies (Medienakademie, Sommerakademie), travel programmes (Europa Erleben, Postmigrantische Europareise, Reisestipendien), and initiatives like Young Ambassadors Against Antisemitism, Youth Movement & Campaign Accelerator (YMCA), and Zukunft D for digital democracy. The foundation serves young people aged 14-29 across Europe with a focus on youth participation, democracy education, Europe, and migration societies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• European Youth Parliament (EYP): One of Europe's largest youth organizations for civic education, operating across 40 European countries and reaching approximately 25,000 young people annually.
• Understanding Europe
• Junge Islam Konferenz
• Postmigrant Europe
• Young Ambassadors Against Antisemitism
• Young European Security Conference
• Young European of the Year
• Schwarzkopf Europe Award
• Margot Friedländer-Preis
• Inge Deutschkron-Preis
• Zukunft D
• Kompetenznetzwerk Zusammenleben in der Migrationsgesellschaft
• Beyond a Single Story

Products and services

• European Youth Parliament (EYP) One of Europe's largest youth civic-education organizations, operating across 40 European countries and reaching approximately 25,000 young people annually through international and national sessions, forums, and educational activities.
• Understanding Europe Peer-to-peer democracy, media, social and climate-justice educational network active in 11 countries, bringing European topics into classrooms through trained young multipliers.
• Young Islam Conference (Junge Islam Konferenz) Dialogue forum where young people from diverse backgrounds exchange on migration-society topics and shape discourses around a pluralistic society.
• Postmigrant Europe Platform promoting postmigrant perspectives and alliances in a migration-shaped European society, shaping discourse of a pluralistic Europe.
• Young European Security Conference Security-policy education conference bringing together young people from across Europe to discuss key security policy issues, strengthen European networking, and promote active participation in security policy debates.
• Young Ambassadors Against Antisemitism Educational programme that educates young people on antisemitism and empowers them as ambassadors against discrimination and antisemitic attitudes.
• Zukunft D

Quantifiable outcome

• 25,000 young people reached annually through EYP programs
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• We are EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026A cross-party, pan-European movement founded by two activists Laura Wessbecher and Lina Abraham. The Schwarzkopf Foundation became part of this movement which aims to build a broad, inclusive platform that unites pro-European forces across parties, generations, and countries.
• European AlternativesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 August 2025Partner organization for the Youth Movement & Campaign Accelerator (YMCA) project, which supports young activists in developing and strengthening their campaigns. Co-financed by the European Union.
• Hertie-StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2025Co-host of the Young European Security Conference, bringing together young people from across Europe to discuss security policy issues. The partnership has continued through 2026 with the second edition of the conference.
• Understanding EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational network of the Schwarzkopf Foundation that cooperates with European Alternatives on the YMCA project. Understanding Europe brings democracy education into classrooms across Europe.
• Bundesverband russischsprachiger Eltern e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the Kompetenznetzwerk Zusammenleben in der Migrationsgesellschaft, working on promoting living together in an open society.
• neue deutsche organisationen e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the Kompetenznetzwerk Zusammenleben in der Migrationsgesellschaft.
• Türkische Gemeinde in Deutschland (tgd)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the Kompetenznetzwerk Zusammenleben in der Migrationsgesellschaft.
• Gegen Vergessen – Für Demokratie e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the Kompetenznetzwerk Zusammenleben in der Migrationsgesellschaft.
• DaMOst – Fachverband der Migrant*innenorganisationen in OstdeutschlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the Kompetenznetzwerk Zusammenleben in der Migrationsgesellschaft, representing migrant organizations in East Germany.
• BetterplaceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDonation platform (gut.org gemeinnützige Aktiengesellschaft) used for processing donations to the Schwarzkopf Foundation. Located at Schlesische Straße 26, Berlin.
• Zukunft DminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative created together with four other civil society organisations to strengthen democracy in a digitalized and interconnected society. Focuses on democratic participation, education, data security, and transparent decision-making.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• European Alternatives: Civil society organisation active across Europe promoting citizenship, democracy, and cultural diversity. Active partner of Schwarzkopf Foundation on the YMCA project, with comparable youth civic engagement focus.
• European Cultural Foundation: Amsterdam-based foundation funding cultural and civic initiatives across Europe, with strong focus on democracy and cross-border dialogue. Comparable in pan-European civic education mission and grant-based funding model.
• Stiftung Mercator: Major German foundation with strong focus on European integration, democracy, migration, and climate education. Directly comparable as a grantmaking non-profit partnering on EYP international sessions and overlapping on European youth civic education.
• Hertie-Stiftung: German foundation focused on democracy, education, and brain research. Active partner organisation of Schwarzkopf Foundation (joint Young European Security Conference) with closely aligned civic education and European integration priorities.
• Robert Bosch Stiftung: Large German non-profit foundation funding civic education, European integration, and democracy programmes. Comparable in mission, funding model (grants/donations), and German-based civic education focus, though at a much larger scale.
• Körber-Stiftung: Hamburg-based German foundation operating civic education, European dialogue, and youth programmes. Directly comparable on democratic participation programmes and pan-European youth engagement initiatives.

Broad incumbents

• Allianz Foundation: European foundation supporting democracy, European integration, and civic engagement. Comparable focus on European values and cross-border civic initiatives, with broader thematic portfolio.
• Friedrich Ebert Stiftung: Large German political foundation affiliated with the Social Democratic Party, operating extensive European and international civic education programmes. A broader incumbent offering overlapping youth civic education at a much larger scale.
• Friedrich Naumann Stiftung: German political foundation affiliated with the Free Democratic Party, with extensive European and international youth programmes. Comparable civic education and democracy mission at a significantly larger institutional scale.

Emerging players

• SALTO-YOUTH: EU-supported network of resource centres for youth worker training and Erasmus+ youth programmes. Comparable as an EU-funded youth civic education platform, but focuses more on training-of-multipliers than direct youth programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SchwarzkopfStfg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZz___JC30JRSmFaqK9fReQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/schwarzkopf.stiftung
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schwarzkopf-stiftung
• Instagraminstagram.com/schwarzkopfstiftung
• TikToktiktok.com/@schwarzkopf_stiftung

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Schwarzkopf-Stiftung Junges Europa