Mission and objectives

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) strengthens transatlantic cooperation on regional, national, and global challenges and opportunities in the spirit of the Marshall Plan. GMF contributes research and analysis and convenes leaders on transatlantic issues relevant to policymakers. GMF offers rising leaders opportunities to develop their skills and networks through transatlantic exchange, and supports civil society in the Balkans and Black Sea regions by fostering democratic initiatives, rule of law, and regional cooperation. Founded in 1972 as a non-partisan, non-profit organization through a gift from Germany as a permanent memorial to Marshall Plan assistance, GMF maintains a strong presence on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Mediterranean Policy Program was launched in 2008 to foster objective debate and analysis on Mediterranean affairs, with an emphasis on transatlantic strategy. Its work spans southern Europe, Turkey, North Africa and the Levant, and underscores the growing interdependence between the Mediterranean and adjacent regions, and the connections between Mediterranean, transatlantic, and global dynamics.

In addition to senior policymakers and experts, GMF endeavors to bring new and younger voices to these debates. Current projects and research under the Mediterranean Policy Program include the Mediterranean Strategy Group, the Eastern Mediterranean Energy Project and NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue. In addition, GMF Brussels hosts Mediterranean Mornings, a regular discussion series on Mediterranean affairs.

The Mediterranean Policy Program is conducted in partnership with the Compagnia di San Paolo and the OCP Foundation. Since 2014, GMF is also a key partner in New-Med, a research network of Mediterranean experts, established by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alongside GMF and the Compagnia di San Paolo.