Berkenkamp-Stiftung

The Berkenkamp Foundation was established in 1997 in Essen and is dedicated to the promotion and cultivation of the German language and literature. It particularly supports projects for young people, opens new access to literature, and has been organizing the statewide German essay competition in North Rhine-Westphalia for over 20 years. The foundation works closely with partners such as the Ministry of School and Education of the State of NRW and the Münster District Government, implementing a wide range of activities: literary competitions, reading series, theater education projects, festivals, and residency programs.

The Berkenkamp Foundation is dedicated to the sustainable promotion of the German language and literature and to supporting young talents. Through competitions, cultural educational programs, and collaborations with institutions, it creates spaces for creative expression and social exchange. Its mission is to strengthen language as a foundation for participation and communication and to firmly establish literary education in the long term.

The funding programs of the Berkenkamp Foundation are primarily aimed at students in the upper secondary level of grammar schools, comprehensive schools, and vocational grammar schools in North Rhine-Westphalia. Furthermore, the foundation supports young talents in regional literary scenes, cultural institutions and initiatives that implement language and literature projects, as well as educators who carry out creative educational formats.