Press release: EFC’s latest mapping provides the most comprehensive study to date of environmental funding by European foundations
Fourth volume of the mapping analyses over 4,000 grants worth €583 million and highlights key findings from both the supply side and the demand side
On 12 February 2019 the European Foundation Centre’s (EFC) European Environmental Funders Group (EEFG) launched the fourth edition of its mapping of environmental funding, the most comprehensive study to date into the state of European philanthropic funding for environmental issues.
The fourth edition covers 87 foundations and 4,093 environmental grants across 131 countries, totaling €583 million in funding in 2016. These grants represent the ‘’supply side’’ of the market. For the first time the mapping has also sought to understand the ’demand side’ of the environmental grants market, by surveying 95 European environmental organisations in 31 countries.
Some of the key highlights include a shift in thematic focus for grantmaking in Europe compared to 2014, an 8.6% increase in overall environmental grantmaking, a severe lack of funding for EU-wide work (in contrast to the 80% of European environmental legislation which is formulated in the EU institutions), and lastly the huge disparity in the availability of foundation grants in different countries in Europe.
‘’Climate & atmosphere’’ has risen to become the most funded thematic area, receiving 14.8% of funding, reversing a decline observed in prior editions, and superseding ‘’biodiversity & species preservation’’ which follows closely behind at 14.6%. Receiving 8.7% of total funding “coastal & marine ecosystems’’ was another thematic area representing major growth, with total giving in this category up 66.9% compared to 2014. Part of this growth results from an increased focus by foundations on marine plastic pollution. Many of the systemic drivers of environmental damage such as over-consumption, trade and finance policies, and approaches to transport, continue to receive very little funding from foundations.
In his foreword, Luca Jahier, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomed the EFC report as ‘’an important resource for reflecting on funding gaps and new opportunities to generate more knowledge as we tackle these urgent issues.’’ Sustainable development is of the highest priority for the EESC and with the utility of mappings such as this Mr Jahier has stated that ‘’foundations could play an important role in an agenda for change.’’
As with the previous editions, the mapping is intended to raise the profile of environmental funders, build understanding of the sector, improve coordination, and provide analysis that informs discussion of effectiveness in environmental grantmaking.
About the EFC
As a leading platform for philanthropy in Europe, the EFC works to strengthen the sector and make the case for institutional philanthropy as a formidable means of effecting change.
We believe institutional philanthropy has a unique, crucial and timely role to play in meeting the critical challenges societies face. More people and causes benefit from institutional philanthropy than ever before, from eradicating deadly diseases and making the world’s populations healthier to combating climate change and fighting for global human rights and equality.
Working in close collaboration with our members, a dynamic network of strategically-minded philanthropic organisations from nearly 40 countries, we:
- Foster peer-learning by surfacing the expertise and experience embedded in the sector
- Enhance collaboration by connecting people for inspiration and joint action
- Advocate for favourable policy and regulatory environments for philanthropy
- Build a solid evidence base through knowledge and intelligence
- Raise the visibility of philanthropy’s value and impact
Read more about the EFC Strategic Framework 2016-2022, developed by the EFC membership.