lead
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lead
The primary responsibility, leadership, and coordination for a project, initiative, or task. Often used in the phrase 'unter der Federführung von' (under the leadership of).
Das Projekt wurde unter der Federführung des Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung realisiert.
The project was carried out under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
The word is made up of 'Feder' (quill/pen) and 'Führung' (leadership). It comes from a time when documents were written with a quill. Whoever 'die Feder führte' (held the pen) therefore had control and responsibility over the content and thus over the entire undertaking.
Früher schrieben die Gelehrten ihre Bücher mit einer Gänsefeder.
In the past, scholars wrote their books with a goose quill.
'Federführung' (lead) is very often used in the fixed expression 'unter der Federführung von' (under the leadership of) + dative. This construction emphasizes who was in charge.
Die Studie entstand unter der Federführung eines renommierten Instituts.
The study was produced under the leadership of a renowned institute.
Typical verbs combined with 'Federführung' (lead) are 'die Federführung haben' (to have the lead), 'die Federführung übernehmen' (to take the lead), or 'die Federführung innehaben' (to hold the lead).
Welche Abteilung hat bei diesem Projekt die Federführung?
Which department has the lead on this project?
responsibility
Verantwortung means taking responsibility for a task and its consequences. Federführung additionally includes primary leadership and coordination of a project. Someone who is responsible only for an area carries Verantwortung; someone who leads and coordinates the entire project has Federführung.
Mara hat bei dem Projekt die Federführung und koordiniert alle beteiligten Teams.
Mara is leading the project and coordinating all the teams involved.
Mara trägt die Verantwortung für die korrekte Abrechnung des Projekts.
Mara is responsible for the project's accounts being settled correctly.
