The Carl Friedrich Goerdeler Kolleg for Good Governance was a professional development program that annually hosted 20 young leaders from the Eastern Partnership countries, Russia, and Turkey who champion social responsibility, the rule of law, and democratic governance. Through both international seminars and individual projects, the fellows became equipped to initiate and shape effective social change in line with democratic principles.

The Kolleg focused on providing scientifically sound and hands-on training in good governance and public innovation. With the support of experienced project managers, each fellow implemented a good governance project in their home organization, thereby strengthening transparency, participation, and due process in their societies. DGAP continues to support the social commitment of fellows who have completed the program with various offers for alumni.

The Carl Friedrich Goerdeler Kolleg for Good Governance was a program of the Robert Bosch Stiftung conducted in cooperation with the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). Prof. Günter Verheugen, former Vice-President of the European Commission, served as its director.

After supporting the program for 20 years, the Robert Bosch Stiftung ended its funding of the Goerdeler Kolleg at the end of 2020. Consequently, the 2019/2020 academic year focused not only on the implementation of the program’s final year, but also on strengthening the self-organization of its alumni network, developing a strategy for the future of the program, and knowledge management. A final conference took place in August 2020.

Website: www.goerdeler-kolleg.de