European Parliament to debate ways to unlock philanthropy’s potential for public good on October 1st

Brussels, 30 September 2019 – On 1 October MEPs and key stakeholders will gather at the European Parliament to debate how to release philanthropy’s untapped potential for public good across Europe. The debate, entitled “Single Market for Philanthropy ‒ Helping unlock the potential for public good across Europe”, will be hosted by European Parliament Vice-President Nicola Beer and co-organised by the Philanthropy Advocacy initiative and the Renew Europe Group of the European Parliament. The event takes place on the European Day of Foundations and Donors, a day when foundations and national associations of donors across Europe raise public awareness about philanthropy.

The more than 147,000 foundations in Europe today provide €60 billion annually to organisations and projects across Europe. In a recent study, SwissFoundations and PWC found that foundations’ contribution to society amounts to more than the tax benefits they receive, and this within the first year of the creation of a foundation.
“We want to start a new conversation about what philanthropy can contribute to the European Union’s welfare,” says Nicola Beer. “There is so much untapped potential when it comes to foundations and civil society organisations – let us unlock it all together.”

The debate will focus on how philanthropy can support European values and how the sector can partner with key stakeholders to tackle rising inequality, provide space for innovation, help overcome social and political divisions, and connect with people and their real needs. Laurent Thieule of Project FC Kraainem in Belgium, and Stefania Coni of Fondazione CRT based in Italy, will present case studies to illustrate the diversity and important complementary role of philanthropy, and how it acts as a tool for citizens to contribute to the public good in Europe. Short keynote speeches looking at the topic from different perspectives will be given, followed by interventions by commentators:

Speakers:
• Sven Giegold, Member of the European Parliament, Greens, Germany
• Kerstin Jorna, Deputy Director General DG ECFIN, European Commission
• Ludwig Forrest, King Baudouin Foundation, Belgium

Commentators:
• Eva Kaili MEP, S&D, Greece
• Maria Da Graca Carvalho MEP, EPP, Portugal
• Dr. Sergey Lagodinsky MEP, Greens, Germany
• Ionut Sibian, Member of the EESC, Romania
• Felix Fernández-Shaw, Director DG DEVCO, European Commission
• Paul Nemitz, Principle Advisor DG Justice, European Commission
• Felix Oldenburg, CEO German Association of Foundations, Germany

Foundations and donors provide expertise; support research and innovation; and use their independence and agility to provide strategic interventions for the public good. Often they engage in challenges that are neither trendy nor popular. At the local level, they work with communities to rebuild trust, providing support in a range of areas. Some examples include access to art through maintaining museums and exhibitions; support to homeless people and helping them find their own voice and place in society; scholarships to young people irrespective of their background and their parents’ income; and local environmental projects, to name a few.

For more information please do contact:

Catherine Lennon, Communications Director, EFC, clennon@efc.be, +32.2.512.8938
Max von Abendroth, Executive Director, DAFNE, max.abendroth@dafne-online.eu, +32.494.50.51.79

Please find the Press Release here: 20190930 DAFNE_EFC Press release_ EP_Debate_final