Governance
HouseEurope! is a registered non-profit organisation under German law (gGmbH, Register Number: HRB 210676 B). Its purpose and mission have been submitted to, reviewed, and approved by the relevant German authorities.
The organisation is dedicated to the promotion of:
+ science and research
(Förderung von Wissenschaft und Forschung; § 52 Abs. 2 Satz 1 Nr. 1 AO)
+ public education
(Förderung der Volksbildung; § 52 Abs. 2 Satz 1 Nr. 7 AO)
+ environmental and climate protection
(Förderung des Umwelt- und Klimaschutzes; § 52 Abs. 2 Satz 1 Nr. 8 AO)+
+ arts and culture
(Förderung von Kunst und Kultur; § 52 Abs. 2 Satz 1 Nr. 5 AO)
HouseEurope! operates at the intersection of the built environment, education, public policy, and civic engagement. Its legal form, a “gemeinnützige GmbH (gGmbH)”, allows the organisation to pursue its non-profit purpose while also providing services to third parties, as long as these activities are aligned with and serve its defined mission.
To maintain its non-profit status, HouseEurope! is legally required to act exclusively in accordance with its approved purpose. To ensure this, the organisation is structured around a three-part governance model that clearly separates operational management, strategic oversight, and ownership responsibility. This structure is designed to prevent conflicts of interest and to ensure that no single perspective dominates decision-making.
(I) Operational Management – Managing Director
The Managing Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organisation. This includes leading the team, coordinating projects and productions, managing partnerships, and representing HouseEurope! externally. The Managing Director is accountable for ensuring that all activities are carried out in line with the organisation’s purpose and agreed mission. Their management is formally reviewed and discharged (Entlastung) by the shareholders at the annual shareholders’ meeting.
(II) Ownership Responsibility – Shareholders
The shareholders define the organisation’s purpose and mission. Their role is to safeguard this purpose over time and to ensure that the organisation continues to fulfil its non-profit objectives. They are responsible for demonstrating compliance with these objectives to the German authorities through annual reporting and review procedures. As a non-profit organisation, HouseEurope! does not distribute profits. The shareholders receive no remuneration for their role and act in an honorary capacity. The shareholders are formally reviewed and discharged (Entlastung) by the Board.
(III) Strategic Oversight — Board
HouseEurope! is supported by an independent Board responsible for strategic oversight. The Board consists of a minimum of three and a maximum of nine members. Neither the Managing Director nor the shareholders are formally members of the Board, yet the participate in the board meetings. The Board’s role is advisory and supervisory. It does not intervene in daily operations and does not assume executive responsibility. Instead, it provides strategic guidance, reviews compliance with the organisation’s mission and non-profit purpose, and supports the long-term institutional development of HouseEurope!. In addition, the Board serves as a body for reflection and mediation in cases of disagreement or conflict. For particularly sensitive matters, it is granted veto rights as defined in the organisation’s governance framework.
Ongoing development
As HouseEurope! has grown in scope, reach, and public relevance, the need for transparent governance, accountability, and institutional stability has increased accordingly. In response, the organisation is currently consolidating and further developing its non-profit framework to ensure long-term resilience, clarity of responsibility, and public trust.