Introduction – What Is the Transatlantic Foundation?
The Transatlantic Foundation (TF) is the European and EU-registered arm of the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF), operating from its Brussels office to independently promote cooperation and understanding between the United States and Europe on key transatlantic issues and global challenges. The Foundation also focuses on strengthening civil society, democratic resilience, and international cooperation across a broad transatlantic community.
History and Background
The Transatlantic Foundation builds on more than three decades of work by the German Marshall Fund — originally founded in 1972 as a non-partisan nonprofit to honor the Marshall Plan and strengthen U.S.–Europe ties. Over time, GMF’s civil society and democratic support efforts expanded eastward beyond Western Europe, leading to the creation of a dedicated European-registered entity: the Transatlantic Foundation.
Originally focused on Central Europe in the 1990s, TF’s work has since broadened to include the Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership countries, Turkey, and Russia, adapting its programmes to evolving democratic challenges and cooperation needs.
Mission and Purpose
The Transatlantic Foundation’s mission is to:
- Promote U.S.–Europe cooperation and mutual understanding on geopolitical, economic, and democratic issues.
- Support democratic reform and resilience across the transatlantic space, particularly in emerging and transitioning democracies.
- Strengthen civil society and independent media through grantmaking, capacity-building, and networking.
- Facilitate leadership development and policy dialogue between stakeholders across Europe, the United States, and partner countries.
By working across these areas, TF seeks to uphold key democratic values — including human rights, rule of law, and inclusive governance — in an interconnected world.
Governance and Structure
The Transatlantic Foundation is legally registered in the European Union and is closely affiliated with the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF). While operating independently in terms of European programme delivery and grantmaking, it draws on GMF’s broad expertise and global network to inform strategy, implementation, and impact.
TF functions through partnerships with EU institutions, international donors, and regional stakeholders to manage multi-donor initiatives and promote coordinated democratic support efforts.
Funding and Grantmaking Mechanisms
TF administers a series of grant and assistance mechanisms collectively known as the Transatlantic Trusts — multi-donor, pooled funding vehicles that combine European Union funds, private philanthropic contributions, and public financing. These mechanisms support civil society organisations, independent media, and civic actors with financial resources, capacity building, and networking opportunities.
Key funding approaches include:
- Direct grantmaking to civil society organisations (CSOs).
- Targeted capacity-building programmes for governance and democratic resilience.
- Leadership development, networking opportunities, and policy analysis support.
Major Programs and Initiatives
The Transatlantic Foundation currently supports several major programmes, each targeting specific aspects of democratic strengthening and civil society development across the transatlantic region:
- Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD)
- A multi-donor initiative focused on empowering civil society across the Western Balkans.
- Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (BST)
- Promotes cooperation and resilience among civil society and media in the Black Sea region.
- Engaging Central Europe (ECE)
- Supports civil society actors in Central European countries facing democratic challenges.
- Fund for Belarus Democracy (FBD)
- Provides targeted support for independent civic actors in and around Belarus.
- Ukraine: Relief, Resilience, Recovery (U3R)
- Addresses civil society and democratic needs linked to Ukraine’s ongoing resilience and reconstruction efforts.
Specialized Grants (e.g., Travel Grants)
TF and BST occasionally offer travel grants to CSO representatives from Eastern Partnership countries to support networking, cooperation, and exchange activities that strengthen civil society and regional collaboration.
Impact and Geographic Focus
TF’s programming primarily covers:
- EU Member States and candidate neighbours.
- Eastern Partnership countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
- The Western Balkans and Russia in civil society support contexts.
By supporting hundreds of civil society organisations and fostering cross-border cooperation, TF helps address democratic backsliding, resilience gaps, and governance challenges in key regions of geopolitical importance.
Examples of Strategic Projects
TF’s grants and initiatives often align with broader thematic challenges, such as:
- Supporting EU values and human rights via civic participation programmes.
- Enhancing election accountability and civic engagement through training and monitoring efforts.
- Combating disinformation and strengthening societal resilience in partner countries.
These activities reflect TF’s emphasis on practical, community-level impact complemented by policy-oriented dialogue.
Conclusion
The Transatlantic Foundation serves as a key institutional actor in promoting transatlantic cooperation, democratic resilience, and civil society strengthening between Europe and the United States. By administering multi-donor funding mechanisms, empowering civil society partners, facilitating leadership development, and fostering cross-regional partnerships, TF advances democratic values and collaborative problem-solving in a rapidly evolving global context.
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