Focus Areas

HSF is committed to democracy, peace and adopting a holistic approach in the field of development cooperation.

HSF Jerusalem is dedicated to advancing better understanding within the context of the Middle East Peace Process, supporting sustainable rural development, and promoting environmental awareness in the West Bank. 

The Foundation achieves these aims through a range of initiatives that foster dialogue and mutual understanding between and within Jewish and Arab communities, facilitate engagement within civil society, and promote best practices in sustainable development, including environmental expertise. In addition, HSF encourages international exchange and tolerance for political stability in the region.

For further details regarding HSF's collaborations on these topics, please see here.

Education through dialogue

HSF is actively promoting mutual understanding between Jews and Arabs through its support for projects that encourage the exchange of ideas and facilitate joint activities. This work includes, among others, activities with the Haredi and Bedouin communities. HSF firmly believes that fostering awareness and knowledge about different social groups is crucial in cultivating understanding and fostering collaboration within civil society.

To ensure the successful implementation of Jewish-Arab projects, HSF collaborates with local partner organizations that possess extensive experience in this domain and employ highly skilled professionals. These projects primarily consist of workshops and encounters, with a significant portion of them occurring in Jerusalem.

Civic engagement education

HSF is fully committed to advancing democratic participation in both Israel and the West Bank. In line with its values and objectives, it provides support to local organizations, enabling them to conduct capacity-building workshops, projects, and conferences that empower individuals within civil society to actively engage in democratic processes.

The Foundation's overarching objective is to reinforce democratic and peace building structures and principles by enhancing communication and collaboration among civil society representatives, various communities, government authorities, and individuals in leadership positions. Moreover, HSF places a special emphasis on nurturing the development of young leaders, equipping them to become active contributors and catalysts for democracy, peace and development at all levels.

Sustainability training

HSF is dedicated to advancing sustainable development in rural areas and promoting environmentally conscious practices in the West Bank. This is accomplished by enhancing the institutional and professional capabilities of Palestinian organizations and individuals in the West Bank. As part of the German steadfast commitment to regional stabilization and development, HSF plays an enhanced role in assisting the Palestinians in effectively conserving, managing, and sustainably benefiting from their natural resources.

For further information, please refer to the HSF Factsheet, which provides detailed insights into the projects implemented in the West Bank.

Political stability

For nearly five decades, the Foundation has earned a strong reputation as a trusted global partner in international capacity building for political stability. This includes development policy exchange, fostering connections between local partners and Bavaria, Germany, and Europe, delegation visits, study trips, and international scholarships.

All project activities of HSF Jerusalem share the common goal of nurturing dialogue among key stakeholders from Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Germany, the EU, and the Middle East. This international dialogue is a central, cross-cutting theme that seamlessly integrates with other ongoing projects, enriching the Foundation’s overall work.

HSF Jerusalem's political dialogue approach supports equal rights for all nationalities, ethnic groups and religions, and opposes antisemitism, racism or any other form of discrimination. It includes the right of the State of Israel to exist and contributes to peace-building and a possible future Palestinian state as the result of peace negotiations (see also FAQs). For more information on the CSU's political values and beliefs see here.

Munich HQ

For HSF Chairman Markus Ferber, MEP, Christmas is a time for pausing - gratefully looking back and embracing new hope. Especially in a crisis-ridden world, orientation, humanity, and commitment to peace remain indispensable.

Participants from five world regions met in Windhoek, Namibia in November 2025, to discuss sustainable agriculture, reforestation, green startups, and climate protection. Video (in German) by Henning Senger, Head of the Department for Fundamental Issues, IIZ.

HSS; HSS

hanns.seidel.stiftung goes tiktok: Unser Ziel? Bock auf Politik machen. #hss2go

“Never again is our mission”: The end of the Second World War marked a profound turning point in Bavarian history. Official video (in German) with the Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery and Bavarian Minister of State for Federal and European Affairs and the Media, Dr. Florian Herrmann, MdL. 

What does it take to change policy? HSF video podcast Die Jungen bilden (The young educate) with Dr. Wolfgang Stefinger, MdB. Video in German.

Happy New Year 2025! Official video (in German) with HSF Chairman Markus Ferber MEP.

Jewish life in Bavaria: HSF video podcast Die Jungen bilden (The young educate). Video in German.

What does 20 July 1944 tell us today? It marks the 80th anniversary of the assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler – a symbolic day of resistance against tyranny. Video in German.

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