The Herrnhut Academy emerged from the Upper Lusatian Humanities Initiative (GWI) and seeks to bundle, promote and develop the potential for humanities in the region. It is intended to foster cooperation between local educational institutions as well as cross-regional exchange and interdisciplinary projects, and also aims to initiate in-house research.

In order to achieve this, the Academy offers a university-oriented structure and diverse opportunities, which should establish Upper Lusatia [Oberlausitz] as an important center for the humanities in the long term.

The scientific and regional focus rests therefore on Eastern (Central) Europe and its extraordinary cultural space. Through its oft-changing history with repeatedly shifting political and regional structures, it has left an incomparable mark on European thinking. The International Institute for Higher Education (IHI) in Zittau, the Uniate Brother Archives Herrnhut and the Großhennersdorf environmental library are among the initiators and founders.