From dialogue to action: Philanthropy and Europe’s next funding cycle

Over the past two years, discussions across Europe involving foundations, civil society organisations and EU institutions have increasingly converged around a shared conclusion: the next European Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is more than a negotiation over funding. It is a broader reorganisation of how Europe intends to pursue its priorities, engage stakeholders and organise its action over the next decade.

The proposed framework introduces important changes: fewer programmes, greater concentration of resources, stronger performance-based mechanisms, more flexibility in spending and a larger role for national planning. These developments will influence how priorities are set, how partnerships are built and which actors are best positioned to contribute.

This emerging architecture creates new challenges and opportunities. Larger programmes, greater concentration of resources and a stronger focus on competitiveness may make funding less accessible for some local and civil society actors.

At the same time, they also create opportunities for stronger cooperation between European institutions, philanthropy and territorial stakeholders.

European foundations have a significant stake in this discussion. Together, they provide around €76 billion in grants each year, roughly equivalent to 40% of the annual EU budget.

Supporting philanthropy’s engagement

This is the context in which the Philea Legal Affairs Committee (LAC) has been supporting foundations and Philanthropy Infrastructure Organisations in engaging with discussions around the next EU funding cycle.

Many foundations recognise the importance of the next MFF but are uncertain about whom to approach, what messages to bring forward or how to connect complex policy debates with their own missions and priorities.

To support this effort, the LAC has developed a position paper, alongside practical resources aimed at helping foundations engage, or deepen their engagement, in these discussions.

These resources provide an overview of the context, identify key interlocutors and translate ongoing negotiations into practical entry points for action.

They collect key messages, opportunities for engagement, relevant legislative files and concrete examples of regulatory changes that could make EU-philanthropy collaboration more effective, drawing on the work of the LAC and its contributors.

A collective effort

This work is the result of a broad collaborative process.

Over the last two years, members of the Philea Legal Affairs Committee, thematic networks and foundations across Europe have contributed expertise, analysis and practical experience to discussions around the future MFF.

These contributions have been informed by dialogue with European institutions, participation in consultations and exchanges across multiple policy fields, from civil society and democracy to research, innovation and development cooperation.

This collaborative approach reflects an important principle that lies at the heart of Philea’s work: the most important challenges are better addressed together. The future of the EU and of its budget is one of them.

Three conversations for philanthropy to engage in

Three interconnected messages have emerged consistently throughout these discussions.

1. Philanthropy deserves a seat at the table

The next MFF recognises the importance of mobilising public, private and philanthropic resources. Yet philanthropy remains largely absent from many of the structures where programmes are designed and implemented.

At the same time, promising developments are emerging. New initiatives such as the future European Civil Society Platform, alongside other thematic cooperation spaces, may provide opportunities for more structured dialogue than in the past.

A central message emerging from this work is the importance of a more strategic dialogue between European institutions and philanthropy, moving beyond ad hoc interactions towards structured engagement.

2. Better partnership requires better tools

Collaboration between philanthropy and EU funding already exists. However, it often relies on ad hoc arrangements rather than dedicated mechanisms designed to support it.

Many foundations encounter practical barriers when trying to co-fund, co-invest or co-design initiatives alongside public institutions. Existing mechanisms are frequently complex, fragmented or poorly adapted to the way philanthropic organisations operate.

The work carried out by the LAC also highlights the need for enabling instruments and new implementation modalities, including lighter regranting mechanisms, co-granting arrangements, partnership models and implementation tools that would make collaboration easier and more impactful.

3. Europe’s social and civic priorities matter

A recurring theme throughout the MFF debate is the balance between competitiveness and cohesion. Many stakeholders are concerned that social, environmental and civic priorities could gradually become secondary, or receive support only insofar as they contribute to competitiveness-oriented investments.

Strong communities, active civil society organisations, territorial cohesion, democratic participation and environmental sustainability are not separate from Europe’s competitiveness; they create the conditions for it to take root and endure.

Protecting dedicated support for these dimensions therefore remains a key objective of philanthropic engagement.

Turning engagement into action

Which conversations matter most? Who should foundations engage with? Which messages are most relevant at national and European level? And where are the real opportunities and entry points to influence ongoing negotiations?

These are some of the practical questions addressed in the position paper and accompanying resources, helping foundations and PIOs navigate this evolving landscape and identify relevant actions in their own contexts.

Member States are already beginning to prepare future national plans, while European institutions continue negotiating the regulatory framework. That is precisely why this work is being shared now.

The purpose is to help foundations navigate a complex process, identify opportunities for engagement and contribute more confidently to discussions that will shape Europe’s future funding landscape.

If the next MFF is about how Europe invests in its future, then philanthropy has both an interest and a role to play in that conversation.

Philea will continue contributing to this debate and supporting members who wish to engage on these issues.

The Philea position paper on the next MFF is available here.