Stiftung Zuhören

What Stiftung Zuhören does

Stiftung Zuhören is a German nonprofit foundation (Stiftung) established in 2002 and headquartered in Munich at the Bayerischer Rundfunk premises, with its legal foundation seat in Gießen. It is described as the leading educational initiative for listening education (Zuhörförderung) in the German-speaking region, developing and distributing scientifically grounded, evaluated, and practice-tested audio-based educational materials for children aged 3–14. The foundation operates three core programs: Lilo Lausch for early childhood (Kitas, Krippen, preschool classes), Hörclubs for primary schools (grades 1–6) supported by HörSpielBox material kits, and Hör.Forscher!, a media practice and audio production program conducted jointly with PwC-Stiftung and Netzwerk Junge Ohren e.V.

The technical foundation is a curated content asset: audio plays (Hörspiele), audiobooks (Hörbücher), podcasts, listening games, and exercise kits (HörSpielBox) delivered on CD and via the stiftung-zuhoeren.de website, plus a digital knowledge platform ('Digitales Zuhör-Wissen') and supporting training resources. The curriculum uses Audacity for audio production exercises. Materials are designed to be used by pedagogical professionals (Pädagogische Fachkräfte und Multiplikatoren) and parents, with the Hörclubs concept reportedly implemented in over 8,000 educational institutions across Germany.

The foundation operates on a non-revenue, donation- and grant-funded model. Income comes from founding supporters — German public broadcasters (Bayerischer Rundfunk, Hessischer Rundfunk, Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Saarländischer Rundfunk), regional media authorities (Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien, Medienanstalt Hessen, etc.), and corporate partners (Sennheiser, RWE Foundation, PwC-Stiftung, Bayerische Sparkassenstiftung, Hermann Gutmann Stiftung). All materials and training are provided free of charge to educational institutions, with scholarships (Stipendien) funded by supporters covering educator participation. Governance is through a Board of Trustees (Stifterversammlung) chaired by Dr. h.c. Hans Sarkowicz, with Tina Täsch as Chair of the Board of Directors (Vorstand), Dr. Karin Tanz as Deputy Chair, and Birgit Echtler as Managing Director (Geschäftsführerin). The core operational team consists of 11 people.

Name

Stiftung Zuhören

Legal name

Stiftung Zuhören

Website

https://stiftung-zuhoeren.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stiftung Zuhören is a Munich-based German nonprofit foundation that develops and distributes free audio-based listening education programs — Lilo Lausch, Hörclubs, and Hör.Forscher! — for Kitas, primary schools, and multipliers across the German-speaking region, funded by public broadcasters and corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Services / Listening Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Audio Learning Content (Podcasts, Audiobooks, Listening Programs) (EDAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Health & Wellbeing Curriculum (EDAGAAAF)

Keywords

• Listening education
• Early childhood education
• Media literacy programs
• Educator professional development
• Audio-based learning materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Foundation Grants: Stiftung Zuhören is funded through donations and grants from broadcasters, media authorities, and corporate partners including Bayerischer Rundfunk, Hessischer Rundfunk, RWE Foundation, and others.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Stiftung Zuhören is a nonprofit foundation that develops and distributes free, scientifically evaluated audio-based educational programs and materials to promote listening competency (Zuhörförderung) among children and youth in German-speaking countries. Its core portfolio includes the Lilo Lausch program for early childhood (Kitas, Krippen, Vorschulklassen), the Hörclubs concept with HörSpielBox kits for primary schools (grades 1-6), and the Hör.Forscher! media education program, complemented by educator professional development training (Fortbildungen), scholarships, and downloadable resources such as audio plays, listening games, podcasts, and listening tips.

Product overview

Stiftung Zuhören is a German foundation and leading educational initiative for listening promotion (Zuhörförderung) in the German-speaking world. The organization offers a portfolio of educational programs centered around listening skills development for children and youth. The main programs include: Lilo Lausch for early childhood (kindergartens and preschool), Hörclubs for elementary schools (grades 1-6) with corresponding HörSpielBox material kits, and Hör.Forscher! a joint program with PwC-Stiftung for media-based listening education. All programs are supported by professional development training courses (Fortbildungen), free downloadable resources including audio content, listening games, and educational materials. The organization also provides scholarship programs (Stipendien) to support educator participation and distributes materials free of charge to participating institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lilo Lausch: Program for Kitas, Krippen and preschool classes focused on listening education for young children.
• Hörclubs
• Hör.Forscher!

Products and services

• Lilo Lausch – Zuhören verbindet Educational program for Kitas, Krippen, and preschool classes that promotes listening skills through playful activities and materials designed for early childhood educators, featuring the mascot 'Lilo Lausch'. Provided free of charge with scholarships available.
• Hörclubs Nationwide concept for playful listening education in primary schools, with materials and training for establishing listening clubs in schools, daycare centers, and libraries. Implemented in over 8,000 educational institutions across Germany.
• HörSpielBox 1.-4. Klasse Audio material kit containing CDs with various audio genres and formats for children in grades 1-4, including audio books, listening games, and audio productions for use in Hörclubs.
• HörSpielBox 5.-6. Klasse Audio material kit containing CDs with various audio genres and formats for children in grades 5-6, including audio books, podcasts, and audio productions for use in Hörclubs.
• Hör.Forscher! Joint educational program by PwC-Stiftung, Stiftung Zuhören, and Netzwerk Junge Ohren e.V. for listening and audio education, offering workshops and projects for schools that combine listening education with audio production skills.
• Hörclubs Fortbildungen Professional development courses for educators teaching listening education methods, including base modules, advanced modules on audio production, and audio editing techniques using Audacity. Scholarships are available for many courses.
• Inhouse Fortbildungen On-site staff training sessions for entire teaching staffs at Kitas, schools, and educational institutions, bringing the foundation's listening education concepts to the institution as a team.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hörclubs concept implemented in over 8000 educational institutions
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic and core.

• Akademie für Lehrerfortbildung und Personalführung (ALP)strategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2026Implementation partner for the 'Zuhören macht schlau' training series in Bavaria.
• Bayerischer RundfunkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome institution hosting the Stiftung Zuhören office. Provides operational infrastructure and is a founding supporter of the foundation.
• Hessischer RundfunkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding supporter and co-funder of the listening education foundation.
• Mitteldeutscher RundfunkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding supporter and co-funder of the listening education foundation.
• Norddeutscher RundfunkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding supporter and co-funder of the listening education foundation.
• Saarländischer RundfunkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding supporter and co-funder of the listening education foundation.
• Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue MediencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding supporter and co-funder. Represents regional media authority in Bavaria.
• PwC-Stiftung (PwC Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developer of the Hör.Forscher! program for listening and media education, working jointly with Stiftung Zuhören and Netzwerk Junge Ohren e.V.
• Netzwerk Junge Ohren e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Hör.Forscher! program for listening education and media practice.
• RWE FoundationstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in joint project strengthening listening and language competencies for children in NRW, particularly from disadvantaged families.
• Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding supporter providing expertise in audio technology and hearing.
• Medienanstalt HessencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding supporter and regional media authority partner.
• Medienkompetenz Forum SüdwestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding supporter in media competency network for southwestern Germany.
• Arbeitsgemeinschaft der mitteldeutschen Landesmedienanstalten (Medienanstalt Sachsen-Anhalt, Sächsische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk und neue Medien, Thüringer Landesmedienanstalt)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding supporter representing central German media authorities.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• National Literacy Trust: UK charity promoting literacy through schools and community programs, with a focus on disadvantaged children. Directly comparable operating model and audience; differs in mission (literacy vs. listening).
• Stiftung Lesen: German nonprofit foundation promoting reading literacy in Kitas and schools through free materials, training, and nationwide programs. Highly analogous operating model to Stiftung Zuhören but focused on reading rather than listening; both target the same educator/multiplier audience in DACH.
• Netzwerk Junge Ohren e.V. German nonprofit network for audio and listening media education for children and youth; co-developer of Stiftung Zuhören's Hör.Forscher! program. Directly comparable mission, audience, and content focus on Hörspiel/Hörbuch-based learning.
• PwC-Stiftung: Corporate foundation funding youth education programs including Hör.Forscher! in partnership with Stiftung Zuhören. Comparable grant-making foundation with a German education portfolio and overlapping educator/Schule audience.
• Reading Is Fundamental (RIF): US nonprofit providing free literacy materials and educator resources to schools and communities, structurally very similar to Stiftung Zuhören but for reading rather than listening; analogous freemium distribution and foundation-funded model.

Others

• Haus des Stiftens: German nonprofit infrastructure provider helping foundations with fundraising, grant management, and digital tools. Functions as a peer in the German foundation ecosystem but serves a back-office role rather than direct educator delivery.

Emerging players

• Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG (Sound Education programs): Audio hardware company running listening and hearing-education initiatives and a founding supporter of Stiftung Zuhören. Overlaps on listening/hearing education for youth, though Sennheiser's programs are smaller and tied to product brand-building rather than curriculum delivery.
• OHRKAN e.V. / Hörspiel-Preis initiatives: Smaller German nonprofits and awards promoting Hörspiel and audio storytelling for young audiences. Adjacent in mission (listening/audio for youth) but narrower scope, making them partial competitors for the same educator attention and grant funding.

Broad incumbents

• Sesame Workshop: Global nonprofit producing media-based early-childhood education (TV, audio, digital). Operates at vastly larger scale but with a comparable mission: building social-emotional and foundational competencies in young children via audio-visual media.
• Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) – Education outreach: German public broadcaster that hosts Stiftung Zuhören's Geschäftsstelle and serves as a founding supporter. BR's broader education and Kinderradio offerings (e.g., radio play formats for children) overlap with the foundation's listening-curriculum niche.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/user167551681
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stiftung-zuh%C3%B6ren
• Instagraminstagram.com/stiftung_zuhoeren

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Stiftung Zuhören