The purpose of GEKODEM is to promote conflict prevention, support peace processes, and assist with the enforcement of human rights and lasting democracy in conflict regions of the world, at first exclusively in Sri Lanka. GEKODEM wants to achieve this goal specifically through its informational and educational efforts, and the networking of state-run and non-state-run organisations in areas of conflict and in Europe. It is recognised as a non-profit association.

In particular, it wants to realise its goals via:

• Informational and educational work in Germany and Europe as well as in the conflict areas.
  

• Promotion and implementation of encounters and information exchange between state-run and non-state-run organisations as well as experts from Europe and the conflict areas.

• Development and promotion of projects for conflict prevention and solution.