Institute
Mission statement
The German Institute of Urban Affairs (Difu) is the largest urban research institute in the German-speaking region. We advise municipalities on all tasks that they face now and in the future. Independent, objective and well-founded.
Organisation and committees
Difu is a practice-orientated and non-profit research institute and the Association for Municipal Research (Verein für Kommunalwissenschaften e.V., VfK) is its sole shareholder.
Financing and funding
As an institution of solidarity for the towns and cities and as a publicly funded research institute we are committed to facilitating the interests of the municipalities and the common good. More than 100 municipalities support Difu as donors and benefit from its range of services.
Supporters & Joining
Difu is the research institute of German municipalities. More than 100 cities and towns, as well as planning associations and regional (surrounding-area) associations, support the institute’s work through a contribution. By providing this support, these contributors make a gesture of solidarity and enjoy many benefits.
Networks and cooperations
Together with our networks in politics, academia and society, we think progressively about urban development. With our pooled specialist expertise, we support and advise municipalities in making decisions.
Working at Difu
Almost 200 employees work at the Difu offices in Berlin and Cologne. As part of our team they contribute to making our society sustainable.