The big picture Civil society in the UK finds itself at a critical juncture – as do its counterparts across Europe and beyond. Comprising charities, faith groups, social enterprises, foundations, social investors and more, civil society is an essential part of the nation’s fabric. Yet an era of ‘permacrisis’ has… Read More
For those familiar with the rather risk-averse German philanthropy sector, the phrase “venture capital and German foundations” might sound like the setup to a joke. After all, German foundations guard their capital with the same seriousness as a Bavarian brewer guards the purity of his beer. Read More
Europe is facing a new era defined by deep uncertainty and rapid transformation. Social and climate disruption, geopolitical instability, rising inequalities, democratic backsliding, and the exponential growth of digital technologies are converging into what many now call a polycrisis. These overlapping challenges do not only demand immediate responses — they… Read More
Natalia Kiryttopoulou, lead for global assessment and advisory services at CEP, discusses just-released research on European foundation practices with Sevda Kilicalp, head of knowledge and learning at Philea. Read More
An in-depth interview, originally published in El País in June 2025, on the challenges facing the European foundation sector. Read More
The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, confronting us with a complex set of deeply interrelated challenges: climate instability, economic inequality, democratic erosion and social fragmentation. For philanthropy, this means business as usual is no longer an option. To truly drive change, the sector must embrace futures thinking, a… Read More
Place-based philanthropy is a particularly powerful way of addressing complex multi-faceted issues bringing about systems change at local level. What if the key to unlocking real, lasting change lies not in distant policies or top-down solutions - but right where we live? Read More
Charitable foundations have a wide range of financial arrangements. Some aim to spend their funds within a set period. Others rely wholly or partially on fundraising so do not have the luxury of an investment portfolio that can finance their missions. Others, like Wellcome, are financed through an investment portfolio… Read More
Philanthropy plays a crucial role in addressing today’s most pressing challenges, from climate change to social inequality. But to be truly effective, it needs more than good intention, it needs solid data. Read More
113 boxes of the ECF archive arrived at the Historical Archives of the European Union in Florence on 16 June, and about 150 additional ones will be transferred later this year. This is the story of why it matters, not just for the past, but for the future. Read More
