A unique
organization
Since 1996, EAF Berlin has been working across parties and independently for more women in leading positions in politics, business and science. We connect, research, advise and promote — for diversity, equal opportunities and a modern management culture.
We support organizations in change processes towards more diversity in leadership. As an independent research and consulting organization, we work at the interface of politics, business and science. We provide advice on diversity and equal opportunities, career and leadership, reconciliation and resilience, and democracy and participation. We also design and implement practical research projects as well as innovative programs and trainings for personnel and organizational development.
What makes our work special
Our society is shaped by the different biographies, experiences and personalities of its members. This diversity contributes to our future viability as well as to the success of our institutions. We are committed to a fair society in which people of all genders and identities have equal opportunities and rights and can develop their potential in all areas of life. In order to achieve more diversity in leadership, we want to strengthen and support those who are structurally disadvantaged in our society.
The team
We are a team of experts who bring a wide range of knowledge from different areas as well as our own networks. We use this knowledge and our contacts in the spirit of social transformation, with the aim of creating the capacity to act, to empower people and organizations to drive change forward, and to constantly develop effective ideas, strategies and products based on current scientific findings and practical experience.
How it all began...
EAF Berlin was the first institution in Germany ever to work independently and across parties for more women in leading positions in politics and business. Founded in 1996, we have grown steadily and developed in terms of content and programming. We draw on the expertise of 25 years of experience working with companies, scientific institutions, administration and parties and combine this with new approaches and discourses on diversity, equity & inclusion.
1990—1994
The idea is born
After the fall of the Wall, Berlin is changing rapidly. While new centers of women's and gender research are emerging, there is a lack of an independent institution to promote women in management positions. Barbara Schäffer-Hegel recognizes this gap and develops the vision of a non-partisan organization.
1994
The initial spark: campaign for Hildegard Hamm-Brücher
With the support of Helga Lukoschat, Barbara Schäffer-Hegel is organizing the campaign for Hildegard Hamm-Brücher as Federal President. Although the campaign is not achieving its goal, it is putting the issue of women in top positions on the political agenda.
1996
Founding of EAF Berlin
Barbara Schäffer-Hegel and Helga Lukoschat found EAF Berlin — European Academy for Women in Politics and Economics as a spin-off of TU Berlin. From the outset, the focus has been on the independence of the organization, as well as the promotion of women and the reconciliation of work and family.
1996—1999
Development phase and initial projects
During this time, the organizational framework was created: the non-profit association, a board of trustees and a support association with strong partners from politics and business. The first international project “Preparing Women to Lead” is launched and lays the foundation for EAF's international orientation.
Founding Congress of EAF Berlin on April 17, 1999 in the Red Town Hall
EAF Berlin is officially presented to the public with a ceremonial congress in Berlin's Red Town Hall. Representatives from politics, science and business recognize the organization's pioneering work and reinforce its mandate to actively shape equality.
Photos: EAF Berlin//Kerstin Zillmer
Unser
network
Through our many years of consulting and research work, we have built up a unique network. This includes scientists from universities and research institutions, representatives from companies and associations, and decision makers from politics and administration.
EAF Berlin Board of Trustees
Since our founding in 1996, we have been advised by a board of trustees. It consists of well-known figures from public life, politics, business and science.
corporate partner
Our work is supported by renowned companies and organizations as part of a corporate partnership. Together with our partners, we develop strategies and projects for a diverse organizational and management culture.
The Berlin Declaration
In 2021, ahead of the federal elections in September, 21 women's associations agreed on joint demands on the federal parties in the spirit of the Berlin Declaration. With their representatives and allies from very different fields of work and activity, they represent women in their diversity.
Femtec
Together with the Technical University of Berlin, we founded Femtec.GmbH in 2001 — an international career platform for women in engineering and natural sciences.
EAF Alumni
Numerous ambitious women and men have attended our career-building or mentoring programs. They now hold responsible positions in business, politics and science. They support our work and contribute their expertise time and again. The trusting atmosphere in our programs creates a unique basis for further cooperation. Such diverse networks of our graduates have grown over the years.
contact
Please feel free to contact the responsible contact person:
Kathrin Mahler Walther
Geschäftsführende Vorsitzende
mahler-walther@eaf-berlin.de
+49 (30) 3087760-0
International cooperation
With our international projects, we have been empowering women in Europe, North Africa and North America for many years.
That is feminist foreign policy in practice.
No single country in the world has equality been achieved so far...
This is confirmed by monitoring programs such as the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report. The topics of EAF Berlin — the empowerment of women in leadership positions in politics, business and science — therefore concern women and human rights organizations, but also governments worldwide. Since this legislative period, the Federal Foreign Office has also committed itself to a feminist foreign policy. That is why EAF Berlin also works internationally. Based on our many years of experience in Germany, we develop strategies together with local women's organizations and share our knowledge.
projects
contact
Please feel free to contact the responsible contact person:
Manuela Möller
Director
moeller@eaf-berlin.de
+49 (30) 3087760-62
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