With different annual topics for each year until 2016, the Luther Decade leads towards the Reformation anniversary in 2017. It ignites and focuses public attention on the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's posting of his theses, and also gives structure to the preparations for the celebrations in 2017.

Already before the official beginning of the Luther Decade in 2008 there have been plans and deliberations about how this event of historical eminence ought to be celebrated. This initiative has now been institutionalised in the Luther Decade. It is led by two bodies with equal representation (board of trustees and steering committee). Two offices in Wittenberg realise the projects and serve as liaison partners. A  scolary advisory board, as well as work groups for the areas of "exhibitions", "music", "tourism and public relations" and "school and education" attend to the content of the Decade. Many other protagonists have helped, and continue to help, to shape the Luther Decade and the Reformation anniversary in many different ways.