About Us

The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung is an internationally operating, progressive non-profit institution for civic education affiliated with Germany’s “Die Linke” (Left Party). The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung considers itself part of the political movement for democratic socialism. It is a discussion forum for progressive political alternatives and a centre for critical thinking and research both in Germany and throughout the world. In East Africa the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung began its activities in 2009. It opened a Regional Office in Dar es Salaam in 2012 and is tasked to cooperate with partner organizations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

East Africa has to face many challenges – disadvantaged women and youth, certain rural areas suffering from socio-economic underdevelopment, exclusion of large sections of the population from access to public goods – which also afflict Western and Southern Africa. There are two overlapping and interacting focal areas that are in the forefront of the activities of the Foundation’s partners in the region. The first is the participation of civil society and political representatives in the process of negotiating Trade and Investment Agreements between the East Africa Community and the European Union as well as other parties involved. The activities aim at creating transparency, ensuring participation, assessing the consequences and proposing alternatives that protect the interests of the weaker sections of the population. The second key aspect is the question of human development in the rural areas in regard of securing access to basic public services and sustainable resource-management; land rights and the effects of climate change are important points of reference here.

This is keeping in line with Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung’s aim of securing access for each and every individual to the basic benefits of a self-determined life in the sense of sustainable self-development. Particular support is given to initiatives which improve communities’ ability to shape their destiny independently by strengthening their organizational capacity. In addition it is of paramount importance for Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung and its partners to promote the capability for political interventions.