The projects in the main working area are going to pursue the prevailing importance of values in European culture and cultivate the dialogue about values between the cultures.

The main working area “Investing in People” is based on the conviction that the individual’s contribution is imperative for the success of the community.

The “Issues of the Present” are an experimental item on the programme. Here, important issues are addressed in the form of ten questions – leaving space for answers, be they lambent, thoughtful or experimental. This working area changes its title and theme every five years. Until 2010 the Foundation initiated the “Dialogue of Values”.

The projects in the main working area “Social Innovations” concern the stimulation and promotion of social innovation.

In its special working area “Hamburg Moments”, the foundation would like to express its connection to Hamburg by contributing to the cultural diversity and integrative urbanity of the city.

Acknowledging its founder’s special concerns for nature conservancy, the foundation seeks to advance the previous and traditional commitment in it in a contemporary way and to break new ground with its special working area “nature@toepfer-fvs.de”.