Entangled Histories of Religion during Perestroika: Actors and Networks of German-speaking NGOs in the Transformation Processes of the Soviet Union

• Applicant: Privatdozentin Dr. Nadezhda Beliakova
• Subject Area: Modern and Contemporary History ; Religious Studies and Jewish Studies
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 558866158

The research project examines the role of German-speaking religious non-governmental organizations (RNGOs) during Perestroika and the subsequent transformation processes in the Soviet Union. It analyzes the network of actors and organizations pursuing both religious and humanitarian goals. The interactions between Western religious actors and local communities in the Soviet republics from 1985 to the mid-1990s are a key focus. Special emphasis is placed on the republics of Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Latvia, and Lithuania, which are examined in detail within the framework of this project. The project aims to clarify how German-speaking RNGOs were involved in the transformation processes of the Soviet Union, what role they played in spreading religious content, and how they supported local religious communities. The focus is on the analysis of cross-border networks, as well as the significance of migration and the cultural entanglements between Germany and the Soviet Union. The project seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the role of religion in the social and political processes of the late Soviet Union. The study is based on a historical entanglement approach, examining both transnational and local networks of RNGOs in various Soviet republics. Through the analysis of archival materials, interviews with contemporary witnesses, local media, and NGO publications, the activities of religious actors and their cooperation with (post-)Soviet partners will be systematically documented. The role of Russian Germans and Baltic Germans is particularly highlighted, as they served often as cultural mediators and bridges between German-speaking NGOs and local actors. The project will demonstrate how religious actors contributed to societal transformation in the aforementioned republics by supporting social and humanitarian projects. These findings aim to provide a more nuanced understanding of Perestroika and the transformation phase of the Soviet Union, particularly through the exploration of previously under-researched religious and transnational networks. This will also enrich research on the role of NGOs and transnational actors in global transformation processes.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants