Deutsche Stiftung Welterbe

The German Foundation for World Heritage is a legally capable, non-profit foundation under civil law based in Wismar. Founded in April 2001 by the Hanseatic cities of Stralsund and Wismar, it is committed to contributing to the balance of the UNESCO World Heritage List and supporting endangered World Heritage sites worldwide in their preservation. The starting point was the experience that many states and local actors lack the financial resources or necessary expertise to prepare a World Heritage nomination or to ensure the protection and conservation of their already listed sites. The foundation works closely with UNESCO in Paris and the German UNESCO Commission in Bonn and permanently finances projects from the proceeds of its endowment capital.

The German Foundation for World Heritage promotes the worldwide protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage by supporting financially weak countries and operators of endangered World Heritage sites with financial resources and technical expertise. It contributes to the balance of the World Heritage List and fosters the shared responsibility of all people for the world’s heritage.

The foundation primarily targets states and local managers of World Heritage sites who, due to insufficient financial resources, lack of expertise, or political conditions, are unable to submit a World Heritage nomination or sustainably ensure the protection and preservation of their World Heritage sites. In particular, financially weak states and sites already inscribed on the World Heritage List that are threatened by lack of funds or political interest receive assistance.