The Ludwig Beck Prize, named after the resistance fighter General Ludwig Beck, was awarded every two years from 2004-15 to individuals, institutions or associations who had worked for the common good, the peaceful coexistence of people, social justice and the basic principles of democracy and the rule of law. The prize money was initially €2,500 and then €10,000.

Among the winners were Marcel Gleffe, who risked his life to save the lives of at least 20 young people during an attack on the island of Utoya in Norway (2011), and Nohora Tovar, who has been campaigning for the rights of Colombian workers for decades (2013).