KfW-Led Charter of Democracy Attracts New Business Signatories to Promote Employee Engagement in Local Politics

Die Veranstaltung „Charta der Demokratie” bringt KfW-Mitarbeitende zusammen, um Demokratieprojekte vorzustellen und künftige Maßnahmen zu diskutieren. Unter den Teilnehmenden ist Vorstandsvorsitzender Stefan Wintels, der die Eröffnungsrede hält.

(IN BRIEF) KfW’s “Charter of Democracy” initiative has gained six new signatories, with BNP Paribas Germany, Deutsche Bank, KVK Kurhessen-Waldeck, plenum AG Management Consulting, Schalast and Techem joining the programme in Frankfurt am Main on 15 June 2026. The Charter, first signed in January 2026 by companies including Deutsche Börse Group, Fraport, HEAG, Helaba, KION Group, PwC Germany and SAMSON, aims to strengthen commitment to Germany’s free and democratic constitutional order while encouraging employees to engage in local politics. Supported by the Hessian State Chancellery, the initiative gives companies a shared framework for promoting democratic values, respectful dialogue and civic participation, while allowing each organisation to implement the principles in its own way. Participating companies have also developed a joint toolkit of possible measures and are supporting networks of politically engaged employees. The growing number of signatories shows how companies from financial services, consulting, law, energy services, infrastructure and regional institutions are seeking to make their contribution to democratic culture and local civic engagement more visible.

(PRESS RELEASE) FRANKFURT, 16-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — KfW’s “Charter of Democracy” initiative is expanding its network, with six additional organisations signing the Charter’s guidelines in Frankfurt am Main on 15 June 2026. The initiative brings together companies and institutions that want to visibly support Germany’s free and democratic constitutional order while encouraging employees to become more active in local politics.

The latest signing round adds BNP Paribas Germany, Deutsche Bank, Kommunale Versorgungskassen Kurhessen-Waldeck, plenum AG Management Consulting, the commercial law firm Schalast, and the energy services provider Techem to the initiative. Their participation follows the first group of signatories in January 2026, which included Deutsche Börse Group, Fraport AG, HEAG Holding AG, Helaba, KION Group, PwC Germany and SAMSON.

Within only a few months, the Charter has attracted support from a broad range of organisations, from international corporations and major financial institutions to regional SMEs and specialised service providers. The initiative is being carried out under the patronage of the Hessian State Chancellery.

The Charter is built around shared principles while allowing each participating organisation to decide independently how to put them into practice. The core aims include strengthening democratic values within corporate culture, supporting employees’ engagement in local politics and encouraging respectful dialogue on democratic issues.

Since the launch of the initiative, participating companies have increased their exchange on how businesses can contribute to the promotion of democracy. One concrete result is a joint toolkit that presents possible measures and practical ideas that companies can adapt to their own structures and workplace cultures.

The Charter also supports the creation of networks for employees who are politically engaged or interested in local civic participation. In this way, the initiative provides a practical framework for sharing experiences, developing support mechanisms and making corporate engagement in democracy more visible.

Stefan Wintels, CEO of KfW, said the growing number of companies in Hesse signing the Charter sends a strong and encouraging signal. He said democracy depends on companies and individuals being willing to take responsibility, especially at the local level in towns, municipalities and districts. With the Charter, KfW aims to make this commitment visible, recognise its value and create a shared framework that each company can implement in its own way.

Karin Müller, State Secretary for Federal and European Affairs at the Hessian State Chancellery, said democracy needs committed democrats who take action, particularly at the local level where democratic participation is most tangible. She said employees who engage in local politics need time and freedom to do so, making it important that companies such as KfW provide space for voluntary civic involvement. Müller added that the arrival of new signatories shows the success of the project and sends a strong message from the business community in support of democracy.

Lutz Diederichs, CEO of BNP Paribas Germany, said companies have a responsibility toward their employees and the society around them. He said democracy depends on people getting involved and helping shape it, adding that BNP Paribas Germany promotes respect, openness, diversity and civic engagement among its employees. By signing the Charter, the bank is reaffirming its commitment to democratic values, social cohesion and a culture of participation.

Christian Sewing, CEO of Deutsche Bank, said a vibrant democracy is the foundation of a free society, shared values and prosperity. He described democracy as non-negotiable and said Deutsche Bank takes responsibility for strengthening democratic culture through education, action against hate and disinformation, and active support for employee engagement.

Markus Seibel, Deputy Director of KVK Kurhessen-Waldeck, said democratic society depends on voluntary work in many different forms, while noting that voluntary engagement has been declining. He said KVK is joining the Charter to signal its active support for the free democratic basic order and to strengthen the local level as the foundation of a democratic constitutional state. KVK also supports its employees’ voluntary work and, by extension, the municipalities that are members of the organisation.

Dr Berenike Wiener, Managing Partner at plenum AG, said companies share responsibility for social cohesion because they influence working lives, dialogue and attitudes. She said diversity at plenum is reflected in day-to-day collaboration, and that the Charter provides an important framework for strengthening engagement, learning from other organisations and putting values into practice in a conscious way.

Prof Dr Christoph Schalast of Schalast Law | Tax said the rule of law and democracy form the basis of the firm’s work. He said that, at a time when these foundations are under pressure, the Charter of Democracy sends an important and timely signal. Schalast added that engagement in local politics is a cornerstone of a vibrant and pluralistic democracy, and that the firm will promote such engagement as part of its existing support for voluntary and pro bono work.

Matthias Hartmann, CEO of Techem Group, said a vibrant democracy underpins social cohesion, economic strength and sustainable progress. He said democracy depends on people taking responsibility and becoming involved, and that Techem sees it as its duty to strengthen democratic values and support civic engagement. By signing the Charter, the company is underlining its commitment to an open, diverse and resilient society.

Through the addition of six new signatories, the Charter of Democracy is widening its role as a business-led initiative that connects corporate responsibility with local democratic participation and practical support for employees who want to contribute to civic life.

Media contact:

Frank Brandmaier
+49 69 7431 38491
frank.brandmaier@kfw.de

SOURCE: KfW Entwicklungsbank GmbH