Congratulations, EFC, and many happy returns! Privately established foundations working for the common good are central to European history, first appearing in recorded history when Plato founded the “Academia” in Athens in 387 BC. Foundations are central to liberal societies as they allow the individual to engage in the development… Read More
Michael Mapstone of the Charities Aid Foundation looks back on 30 years of the European Foundation Centre and examines how the institution has evolved, the challenges that civil society faces today, and how to best harness the potential of young people in the future. The EFC… Read More
The EFC is turning 30, an accomplishment in its own right. Yet, we can think of far more than 30 reasons to celebrate achievements by philanthropy in Europe. Past EFC conferences and ongoing progress within its 2016-2022 Strategic Framework show us to what extent institutional philanthropy has matured and professionalised… Read More
As the general set up of Europe underwent fundamental changes in 1989, it seemed that European foundations were getting their act together to help trigger them. One might remember this as we celebrate the EFC’s 30th birthday, which unintentionally coincided to the day with the fall of the Berlin Wall. Read More
“All injustice and oppression eventually come to an end. The spirit of freedom is stronger than any slavery. Sooner or later, any lies will be illuminated by the truth. Let’s hold each other’s hands closer and look into each other’s eyes. One can almost physically sense the togetherness above everything.”… Read More
At 30, the European Foundation Centre has matured into the continent’s preeminent support infrastructure for philanthropy. Its achievements notwithstanding, and they are many, philanthropy has little it can take for granted in 2019. The idea that it is widely accepted and appreciated by policy, politics or citizens… Read More
The early days I am somewhat in awe of the pioneering vision and optimism shown by the foundations that came together to found the EFC in 1989 and also of the ones that gave it a physical permanence and home in the form of Philanthropy House in 2013. As with… Read More
Anyone who has ever been to Augsburg knows that it has a city within the city. I mean the Fuggerei, the oldest existing social settlement in the world. Here, surrounded by walls, you will find 67 ivy-covered houses, 140 apartments and a church. Jakob Fugger, who counted among the most… Read More
I read all the stories that were submitted to the EFC for our 30th anniversary blogs with delight. I am thrilled at the richness and sheer diversity of storytelling and raw narrative in our sector. We have so many stories to tell! We have so many ways of telling them. Read More
New promise Thirty years ago, European philanthropy stood on the brink of new promise. The formation of the EFC on 9 November 1989 – the same day that the Berlin Wall fell – ushered in a new era for philanthropy as part of a vision for a new Europe. There… Read More