Otto Brenner Stiftung

Description

The Otto Brenner Stiftung is the research foundation of the German trade union IG Metall, named after its long-serving chairman Otto Brenner. It was founded in 1972 in Frankfurt am Main. The foundation connects trade unions, academia and civil society, turning research into practical action for more democracy and social justice.

Its founding purpose covers national and international trade union work and the promotion of social justice. It also covers aligning living and working conditions between eastern and western Germany, and developing democratic labour relations across Europe. The foundation works across trade unions, science, activism, art and public debate, aiming to connect critical thinkers across fields and strengthen collective thought and action.

Since 2005 it has awarded the Otto Brenner Prize for critical journalism, honouring investigative reporting on social problems. In 2008 it absorbed the Stiftung Neue Länder, which funds labour-market projects and research in eastern Germany. Its published studies have covered media criticism, lobbying, the political influence of wealth, and the rise of the far right, including support for the Leipzig Authoritarianism Studies.

The foundation is governed by a board drawn from IG Metall’s leadership, which oversees the founder’s intent and advises the management running day-to-day operations. Its current managing director took office in 2024.