Philea - Philanthropy Europe Association

Philea elects new Board of Directors at 2026 Annual General Assembly

Philea members elected a new Board of Directors for the 2026–2028 term at today’s Annual General Assembly in Copenhagen.
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Registration opens for KoneKtor 2026

Taking place under the theme of “Democracy Defying Darkness: Countering Authoritarianism” in Chișinău on 14-16 October, supported by Caritas Moldova.
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Philea and WINGS publish “Philanthropy For Climate: State of the Movement Report 2026”

The report offers the first global snapshot of how signatory foundations worldwide are responding to climate change through coordinated philanthropic action.
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Philea nurtures a diverse and inclusive ecosystem of foundations, philanthropic organisations and networks working for the common good. We help our members to get inspired, act together and achieve greater impact by sharing data and knowledge, exchanging best practices, connecting around common themes, engaging in policy work, and more.

Cross-cutting Themes

Climate and Environment

The impact of environmental crises, like climate change and biodiversity loss, are being felt by people in every part of the world. It impacts our health, our jobs, our education, the food we eat, the places we live.

Democracy

Democracies across the world have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years ‒ from narrowing civic space, to curtailment of freedom and equality, to the spread of misinformation.

Equality

Philea members have pointed to striving for equality as an urgent issue that must be addressed by philanthropy now and in the coming years. Rising economic inequality has exacerbated virtually all of the problems philanthropy works on.

Latest Insights

Professor, University College London and Co-founder, The Institutional Architecture Lab

Chair of the Board, Demos Helsinki and Co-founder, The Institutional Architecture Lab

Opinions – 9 September 2026

The trouble with our institutions – should philanthropy play a role?

Our institutions were reasonably effective for many decades, providing peace and prosperity. But that very track record of success has often made them rigid and inflexible, and given space for the populist right to promise to burn them down.

Head of Research and Learning, Philea

Barry L. K. Hoolwerf

Executive Director, European Research Network On Philanthropy (ERNOP)

Opinions – 7 September 2026

Beyond the myth of big philanthropy

Philanthropy plays a key role in Europe’s civic, social and democratic life. Yet in many parts of Europe and beyond, public debate about philanthropy has become increasingly misinformed.

Program Manager, Volkswagen Slovakia Foundation

Opinions – 2 September 2026

Philanthropy is not defined only by resources but by relationships

After two years in philanthropy, I remain sceptical of its flaws – but far more curious about its potential. I have learned that its true value lies in resisting easy answers: in the relationships it builds, the voices it amplifies and its willingness to keep questioning and improving its own practices.

Denise Charlton

Chief Executive, Community Foundation Ireland

Opinions – 31 August 2026

Philanthropy cannot solve poverty alone, but it can change the conditions that allow poverty to persist

Poverty and social exclusion are everyday realities for children and families across Europe despite sustained economic growth in many Member States. As the European Commission prepares to announce a…

Laurence Lepetit

Chief Executive, France Générosités and Vice-President, European Fundraising Association

Opinions – 28 August 2026

What France’s Senate report on private philanthropy funding means for Europe

The commission was launched in response to concern over coordinated, ideologically driven funding strategies operating under the guise of philanthropy, most notably a network of foundations linked to a French businessman openly promoting a right-wing and far-right political agenda.

News – 27 August 2026

New survey to map philanthropy infrastructure across Central and Eastern Europe

A new survey has been launched to map the organisations, networks, platforms and initiatives that help philanthropy and civic action across Central and Eastern Europe. How do organisations…

Upcoming Events

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Data Science and AI Group – Knowledge Agents in Philanthropy: AI, MCP and Trusted Data in Foundations

22 September 2026

Migration and Belonging Network – What if the Narrative Battle Around Migration is Already Lost? Rethinking Narrative Change

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