Statement: Standing Together for Philanthropic Freedoms
In Europe, the freedom to associate, set up foundations, express values, and contribute to the common good is a cornerstone of civic life. Philanthropy is one of the ways that allows individuals, corporates and communities to express solidarity, support innovation and respond to social and environmental challenges. Philanthropy in Europe is as diverse as the continent itself. It reflects different cultures, traditions and priorities, but it is united in its commitment to the public good.
Philanthropic organisations, whether local foundations, cross-border funders, or community-based initiatives, play a key role in strengthening our social fabric. They support early childhood development, scientific research, cultural exchange, environmental protection, social cohesion, and democratic participation. These efforts complement public and private sector actions and often reach those most at risk of being left behind. Philanthropy is an important enabler as well as a component of the wider civil society sector, crucial to healthy democracies.
Recent public funding cuts for international aid and development, particularly from USAID and European governments, have directly affected the sustainability of philanthropy and civil society at large. Over the past years, philanthropy has faced growing pressure, including through legal and regulatory barriers also in Europe. These include reduced tax incentives for donations and “foreign agent”-style laws limiting cross-border funding. Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism regulations have also been applied in ways that restrict civil society operations.
In some European countries, smear campaigns have sought to delegitimise the non-profit sector and erode public trust. Civil society’s role in public debate and policy has come under greater scrutiny, with support for advocacy and civic engagement increasingly questioned.
Serious attacks on civil society and philanthropy are also taking place in traditional strongholds for democracy in other parts of the world, including the United States, where threats have been mounting over the past weeks. In defence of freedom to express themselves, to give and to invest in their communities, more than 400 philanthropic organisations signed a public statement by the US Council on Foundations, which we also support.
Now more than ever, we need a civic space where giving, participation and collaboration are protected and encouraged. This is essential for addressing today’s complex challenges and for building a future rooted in fairness, inclusion and resilience. This is why we come together around a shared recognition of the value of philanthropy, not only as a source of funding, but as a key contributor to democratic life, innovation and solidarity. A strong philanthropic sector requires an enabling environment also across borders and a collective understanding of its role in supporting societies to flourish. We have formulated our call for an enabling environment in our European Philanthropy Manifesto.
We are united behind core values of democracy, equality and the rule of law, and root our work in the freedoms of expression and association and the free flow of capital. Especially in times of crisis, philanthropy must have the freedom to support and to direct its resources towards the wide variety of societal issues at stake and to contribute to a society that works for people and the planet.
Philanthropy, at its core, is about love for humanity – using private resources for the public good. For philanthropy’s potential to be unleashed it needs to be empowered by enabling legal frameworks and rely on a single market for public good. It must be free to operate transparently, independently, and in partnership with others, across borders, sectors, and perspectives. Protecting philanthropic and civic space is core to the defence of democracy.
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