European Philanthropy manifesto calling for a single market for Philanthropy
Brussels, 22 March 2019 – On Wednesday evening the European Philanthropy Manifesto, including four key recommendations to introduce a Single Market for Philanthropy, was launched at Philanthropy House in Brussels in the presence of over 60 policymakers from the European Commission, European Parliament, Member States, EESC, OECD and representatives from the philanthropy and civil society sectors. In a panel discussion, European Commission’s Kerstin Jorna (Deputy Director General of DG ECFIN) and Michael O’Flaherty (Director of EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA)) welcomed the timely launch of the Manifesto while Massimo Lapucci (Chair of the European Foundation Centre (EFC)) and Felix Oldenburg (Chair of Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (DAFNE)) provided the context for the need for a Single Market for Philanthropy.
“Today we have the opportunity to promote, with a single voice, the demands of philanthropy at the European level to ensure that the entire sector has the recognition it deserves,” says EFC Chair Massimo Lapucci. “The Philanthropy Manifesto is the first concrete result of the joint advocacy work of the EFC and DAFNE for the development of a single market without frontiers for the entire sector. It is, in fact, only in the presence of a favourable environment that institutional philanthropy can fully perform its role of building social capital: an essential ‘glue’ in today’s Europe, given the fragmentation caused by centrifugal forces and by an increasing disconnect between citizens and institutions.”
European Commission’s Kerstin Jorna acknowledged the need for a Single Market for Philanthropy in order to unlock the full potential of foundations across Europe: “Following the agreement on the InvestEU proposal in Trialogue this week, including a great set of opportunities for foundations to become even more relevant investors in the social policy window, I am fully supportive to the four key recommendations outlined in the European Philanthropy Manifesto. We, the European Institutions, must support philanthropy actors as they engage in areas neither governments nor companies play a role.”
DAFNE Chair Felix Oldenburg highlighted three of the many ideas in the Philanthropy Manifesto: “First, we ask policymakers to protect the fundamental rights of the freedom of association and movement of capital and end the worrying trend towards government control of foundations, crippling foreign funding restrictions and additional regulation aimed at shutting down independent civil society. Second, we propose to facilitate the cross-border flow of grants and social investments by removing barriers that cost the sector €100 million annually and prevent work on pressing challenges wherever they may lie. Finally, we are suggesting a next stage of collaboration between foundations and European institutions, both in strategic co-granting and in creating incentives for co-investing from endowments –mobilising an untapped billion euro potential.”
Stressing that philanthropy is an important part of civil society FRA’s Michael O’Flaherty supported the call of Europe’s foundations for a better recognition of philanthropy at EU as well as at national level.
Institutional philanthropy in Europe includes more than 147,000 foundations with an accumulated annual giving of nearly €60 billion. Besides funding and investments, these organisations combine an outstanding set of expertise, deep knowledge and excellent stakeholder networks in the areas of their activities that can be leveraged significantly with the appropriate framework conditions.
Press Contacts
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
Who we are?
The DAFNE and EFC joint advocacy project “Philanthropy Advocacy” acts as a monitoring, legal analysis and policy engagement hub for European philanthropy. Its main objective is to shape the national, European and international legislative environment by implementing the European advocacy roadmap for a Single Market for Philanthropy.
Please find more information on www.philanthropyadvocacy.eu
Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (DAFNE)
DAFNE is Europe’s largest network of donors and foundations associations. With 27 member associations with a collective membership of more than 10,000 foundations and grant-makers, DAFNE is a leading voice of European foundations. We are involved in advocacy, capability building, promotion of philanthropy and research.
Our aim is to strengthen the philanthropic sector in Europe and to enhance professionalism and effectiveness of national associations. DAFNE is a member of WINGS, an associate partner of OECD netFWD and an active supporter of #NextPhilanthropy.
DAFNE and the EFC jointly lead the Philanthropy Advocacy project.
Please find more information on https://philea.eu
Contact: Max von Abendroth, DAFNE Executive Director, phone: +32 494 50 51 79, max.abendroth@dafne-online.eu
European Foundation Centre (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. Working closely with our members, a dynamic network of strategically-minded philanthropic organisations from more than 30 countries, we:
- Foster peer-learning by surfacing the expertise and experience within the sector
- Enhance collaboration by connecting people for exchange 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
The EFC and DAFNE jointly lead the Philanthropy Advocacy project.
Please find more information on www.efc.be
Contact: Gerry Salole, EFC Chief Executive, phone: +32.2.512.8938, gsalole@efc.be