News and Updates

27 October 2020

European Commission presents 2021 Programme – what’s in it for philanthropy?

2021 Work Programme of the EU adopted This week the European Commission adopted its 2021 Work Programme, designed to make Europe healthier, fairer and more prosperous, while accelerating its long-t...

22 October 2020

Join our webinar on November 17th : How to use EU law to protect civic space

The European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) and Philanthropy Advocacy (a joint Dafne & EFC initiative) will host a webinar looking at “How to Use EU Law to Protect Civic Space” on 17...

21 October 2020

Nicola Beer MEP Interview with StifterTV on the need for a Single Market for Public Good

There is a 'window of opportunity now' to unleash private resources for public good across Europe, according to Vice-President of the European Parliament, Nicola Beer. Following her participati...

08 October 2020

Open letter to Presidents Von der Leyen, Michel and Sassoli on the implications of MFF 2021-27 and Next Generation EU for the philanthropy sector

Today, Max von Abendroth, Executive Director of DAFNE, and Delphine Moralis, CEO of the European Foundation Centre, have written to Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Mr....

07 October 2020

European Parliament pushes for stronger protection of democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights

After the European Commission published last week its long awaited Rule of law report, today the European Parliament has become the second European institution to directly express an urgent need f...

02 October 2020

Europe’s momentum to unleash private resources for public good – European policy makers and foundations aligned to make the necessary steps to foster cross-border philanthropy

PRESS RELEASE Brussels, 2 October 2020 – On 1 October, the European Day of Foundations and Donors, over 100 key European policy makers and representatives of public benefit foundations and civil...

02 October 2020

Rule of law report: What’s next?

Philanthropy Advocacy together with Civil society Europe and the European Center for Non Profit Law have issued a joint reaction to the 2020 Annual Rule of Law Report on the situation of the rule of l...

30 September 2020

EIDHR Global Call for proposals on shrinking civic, democratic and civil society space

The European Commission´s European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) has issued the 2020 EIDHR Global Call for Proposals on Shrinking civic, democratic and civil society space. The...

28 September 2020

European Day of Foundations and Donors – Thursday, 1 October 2020 / 16.30 – 18.00h | Philanthropy Debate [online]

Single Market for Public Good – How can we unleash private resources for European solidarity? Thursday, 1 October 2020 / 16.30 – 18.00h | Philanthropy Debate Join us on the European Da...

22 September 2020

The EU Recovery Plan & MFF fit for the third sector and how to get there

Beyond Recovery and Towards Values The Multi-annual Financial Framework reflects the priorities of EU institutions and delimits the entry points available to European philanthropy, ranging from fou...

17 September 2020

PA contributes to EU Democracy Action Plan

Over the past decade, the state of European core values such as democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights have been in decline in parts of Europe and therefore we welcome that the European Union i...

17 September 2020

Does the State of the Union speech offer entry points for the Single Market for Philanthropy?

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen delivered her first State of the Union speech during the European Parliament´s Plenary session yesterday on 16 September 2020. She presen...

16 September 2020

Calls from EP and the sector: anti money laundering policy must not unduly restrict the sector

The European Parliament and the philanthropy and wider civil society sector are aligned that EU and national anti money laundering and terrorism policy must not unduly restrict the sector The Europ...

07 September 2020

Full-time Policy and Communications Trainee at Philanthropy Advocacy team in Brussels

We are offering a full-time paid Policy and Communications Trainee for six months starting on 28 September 2020. You would support the Philanthropy Advocacy team at the Philanthropy House in Brussels...

19 August 2020

Staying vigilant when it comes to the space for European philanthropy

Worrisome developments in parts of Europe as well as globally have been seen recently, with questions being raised about the legitimacy of philanthropy and civil society actors, and intentional limita...

29 July 2020

Threats, attacks and lack of funding for many civil society organisations in the EU

EU Fundamental Rights Agency issued a worrying report Verbal threats, physical attacks, and lack of funding are some of the main challenges for civil society organisations working on human rights in...

09 July 2020

Collaboration between European policymakers and philanthropy – yes, but how?

Challenges facing Europe today are tremendous and require an orchestrated response from both the private and public sectors. The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated how interconnected our continent has b...

06 July 2020

CSOs in Bulgaria under legal attack by the draft foreign funding law

In January 2020 a group of 62 Bulgarian civil society organisations addressed the European Commissioners with a letter in which they described the smear campaign taking place in Bulgaria against CSO...

01 July 2020

Outlook – Philanthropy and Germany’s Presidency of the Council of the EU 1st July – 31 December 2020

The German EU Presidency kicks off on Wednesday, 1stJuly 2020. It ends on 31 December 2020 and is the first Presidency of the EU-Presidency-Trio: Germany – Portugal – Slovenia. These three Preside...

29 June 2020

The digital borders for philanthropy in Europe are opening with new TGE Transnational Giving Platform

PA welcomes the launch of the Europe’s first online Transnational Giving Platform by Transnational Giving Europe Network that will facilitate cross-border philanthropy by allowing individuals and c...

26 June 2020

Belgium increases tax incentives for a stronger Philanthropy culture

During the COVID-19 pandemic, philanthropic organisations across the continent acted as frontline defenders to provide urgent support to the most vulnerable segments of our society. When it comes to r...

19 June 2020

European Court declares that Hungary’s foreign-funding restrictions violate EU law

European Court declares that Hungary's foreign-funding restrictions violate EU law On 18 June 2020 the European Court of Justice (CJEU) ruled that Hungary's foreign-funding restrictions violate EU...

05 June 2020

European governments & COVID-19 and EU COVID-19 Recovery schemes & Policy

European governments & COVID-19and EU COVID-19 Recovery schemes & Policy European governments & COVID-19 Introduction This d...

29 May 2020

Why we need to revive civil dialogue – EESC published Participatory Democracy Compendium

At a time when civil dialogue and our own democratic and societal models are facing new threats such as the rise of populism, disinformation, inequality and Euroscepticism, the European Economic and S...

05 May 2020

THE EU LAW HANDBOOK IS OUT!

Francesca Fanucci, Senior Legal Advisor at ECNL and Hanna Surmatz, Enabling Environment Manager at the EFC and co-lead of the joint DAFNE & EFC Philanthropy Advocacy initiative jointly developed...

04 May 2020

European Commission launched another infringement procedure against Poland regarding the new law on the judiciary

On 29 April 2020, the European Commission launched yet another infringement procedure against Poland by sending a Letter of Formal Notice to the government regarding the new law on the judiciary of 2...

24 April 2020

Foundations as partners in the European Union Emergency Support Instrument for healthcare

The European Commission announced that it commits to directly supporting the healthcare systems of the EU Member States in their fights against the coronavirus pandemic, channeling resources through t...

24 April 2020

EESC stresses: No lockdown for fundamental rights during the COVID-19 crisis!

EESC President and President of the EESC Group on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law call on respecting fundamental rights in the time of crisis. In their joint statement two presidents acknowledg...

15 April 2020

A Letter from the Frontline – Croatian civil society faces a double crisis

Civil society organisations have been badly hit by the COVID-19 crisis. In Croatia the earthquake on 22 March increased the burden for NGOs and charities. Cvjetana Plavsa-Matic, urges the EU to re...

09 April 2020

Poland must suspend the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court

When in 2017, Poland installed a new Disciplinary Chamber (Izba Dyscyplinarna) within the Supreme Court of Poland (Sąd Najwyższy), critics argued that the government would be able to inves...

08 April 2020

Open Letter to Presidents of the EU institutions | 8 April 2020

European Philanthropy calls for effective solidarity across borders concerning COVID 19 In an open letter dated 8 April 2020, DAFNE and the EFC have called on the Presidents of the EU insti...

01 April 2020

EU adopts economic measures in the context of the Covid-19 virus

The Coronavirus outbreak is not only a severe emergency for public health with significant social impact but also a major economic shock to the European Union, calling for a decisive coordinated econo...

30 March 2020

“We stand together in the spirit of European solidarity”

DAFNE and EFC invite foundations to come together to sign the European Philanthropy Statement on COVID-19, recognising that the COVID-19 outbreak is an exceptional event that will have an unprecedente...

23 March 2020

ECNL/ICNL guidelines: “Keeping civic space healthy: Saving lives & human rights”

In emergency situations, governments must act quickly to prevent escalation. Most constitutions provide executive bodies with extraordinary competences, when a state of emergency has been declared. CO...

10 March 2020

Hungary must treat foreign and national education institutions equally, says Advocate General Kokott

On 5th March 2020 the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) published Advocate General Kokott´s opinion in the case on the 2017 Hungarian Law on Higher Education and argued that Hungary mus...

03 March 2020

Philanthropy speaking at Council of Europe event on civil society space

Commemorating the World NGO Day, on 28 February 2020, the Conference of NGOs (INGOs) of the Council of Europe (CoE) organised a workshop “From the Past to the Future: A Living Civic Space for a Livi...

03 March 2020

FATF Plenary elects its next President

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the inter-governmental body established in 1989 with the objectives of setting standards and promoting effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operati...

07 February 2020

POSTPONED: “It’s time to realise the potential of philanthropy” | new date to come

Citizens are increasingly striving to do ‘good’, working together to fix the systemic issues affecting their communities. As such, they represent a wealth of philanthropic potential, energy and de...

06 February 2020

Philanthropy Advocacy participated in the European Investment Bank´s Board Seminar with Civil Society

On Tuesday 4 February 2020, Philanthropy Advocacy (DAFNE and EFC) participated at the annual seminar between the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) Board of Directors and civil society organisations a...

02 February 2020

Philanthropy Advocacy raises awareness around the new money laundering and terrorism financing policy

The Philanthropy Advocacy (DAFNE and EFC) team organised in early 2020 a series of training's and information sessions on how philanthropy can engage around money laundering and terrorism financing po...

17 January 2020

Letter from 62 Bulgarian civil society organisations to the European institutions on smear campaign against civil society in Bulgaria

A group of 62 Bulgarian civil society organisations addressed the European Commissioners with a letter in which they described the smear campaign taking place in Bulgaria against CSOs, mainly targetin...

15 January 2020

Advocate General considers foreign funding restrictions in Hungary incompatible with EU law

On 14 January 2020 the Advocate General Campos Sánchez-Bordona released his opinion, in which he concluded that the restrictions imposed by the Hungarian Transparency law are not compatible with EU l...

20 December 2019

New mission letter for Vice-President Jourová recognizes her role in dialogue with civil society and philanthropy

At the beginning of December 2019 the new mission letter for Vice–President Jourová was published on the European Commission's website. President Von der Leyen has modified the mission of Vice-Pres...

15 December 2019

Quo vadis, Europe?

Looking at the priorities of the new European Commission, that took office on 1 December 2019, Max von Abendroth highlights the overlap with the work and ambitions of the philanthropy sector – ident...

20 November 2019

Switzerland: Federal Council refrains from making charitable foundations subject to the AEOI

Federal Council plans announced at the end of February 2019 to make charitable foundations subject to the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) have been withdrawn for the time being. As the Federa...

07 November 2019

Luca Jahier: “We need a dream for a positive future”

Report on the EESC Conference on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law | 05.11.2019 in Brussels The EESC Conference on "Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law: Trends in the EU from a Civil Societ...

20 October 2019

“Political Approach to Philanthropy” – Letter of the Dutch Minister of Legal Protection to the House of Representatives of the Netherlands

Please find herwith a letter of the Dutch Minister of Legal Protection, Sander Dekker, from 18 October 2019 addressing the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, titled “Political approach to...

17 October 2019

Call for signatures to ensure funding for civil society in the EU

Ahead of negotiations of multiannual EU budget, the Batory Foundation initiates an advocacy campaign to increase EU funding for civil society organisations which promote and protect European values wi...

08 October 2019

Philanthropy Advocacy (DAFNE and EFC) join Bulgarian Donors Forum and other civil society organisations from across Europe to condemn action against the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee

Philanthropy Advocacy (DAFNE and EFC) join the Bulgarian Donors Forum and other civil society organisations from across Europe to condemn action against the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee in an open let...

07 October 2019

Strong cross-party alliance in European Parliament for easing philanthropy’s work for public good across Europe

Brussels, 7 October 2019 – MEPs, representatives of the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee and relevant stakeholders from philanthropy, civil society and social econo...

30 September 2019

European Parliament to debate ways to unlock philanthropy’s potential for public good on October 1st

Brussels, 30 September 2019 – On 1 October MEPs and key stakeholders will gather at the European Parliament to debate how to release philanthropy’s untapped potential for public good across Europe...

24 September 2019

Philanthropy Manifesto presented to foundations in Luxembourg

The Philanthropy Manifesto was presented by the EFC to a group of foundations from Luxembourg at an event organised by Fondation de Luxembourg on 23 September, along with insights into the FAT...

16 September 2019

Debate in the European Parliament | Tuesday, 1st October 2019 / 17.00 – 19.00h | “Single Market for Philanthropy Helping unlock the potential for public good across Europe”

This event is hosted by Vice-President Nicola Beer, MEP and aims to introduce the debate about the potential of philanthropy for the public good to MEPs and key stakeholders. Confirmed speakers includ...

16 September 2019

EU Supranational Risk Assessment partially lowers risk rating for NPOs

In July this year, the EU published its 2019 Supranational Risk Assessment (SNRA). Philanthropy Advocacy, a joint initiative of DAFNE and the EFC, and its joint Legal Affairs Committee as well as othe...

16 September 2019

Philanthropy sector and NPO coalition engage with Financial Action Task Force

The philanthropic sector, represented by Hanna Surmatz from the EFC on behalf of the wider philanthropic infrastructure (WINGS), engaged with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) about the latest in...

16 September 2019

Open letter to new Commission and Parliament calls for protection of EU values and civil society

The Active Citizens Fund has released an open letter calling on EU decision-makers to protect European values as outlined in Article 2 of the EU Treaty, with a specific call to protect the space for c...

11 September 2019

Verena Ringler outlines the need for a non-profit single market in the EU in new ERSTE Stiftung video

ERSTE Stiftung has recently published a video featuring Verena Ringler, Director of European Commons, in which she calls for a single market for the non-profit sector in the EU. The second episode...

26 August 2019

The EFC is hiring a Philanthropy Legal Officer to join the joint DAFNE-EFC Philanthropy Advocacy project

The EFC is looking for a full-time Philanthropy Legal Officer to join the joint DAFNE-EFC Philanthropy Advocacy project, which promotes an enabling operating environment for institutional philanthropy...

19 July 2019

European Commission announces plans to strengthen the rule of law in line with proposals made by Philanthropy Advocacy

The Commission has decided on a series of measures to further strengthen the rule of law in Europe following a consultation to which Philanthropy Advocacy (DAFNE and EFC) contributed. The announcement came on 17 July.

17 July 2019

Researchers and practitioners explore ways to ease cross-border philanthropy in Europe

At a pre-conference event ahead of the 9th International Research Conference of the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP) a group of researchers and practitioners came together...

26 June 2019

Why Philanthropy Opinion Matters

Philanthropy is still relatively unknown to EU institutions and needs to find its right place on the European agenda. In its first opinion entirely dedicated to philanthropy, the European Economic an...

06 June 2019

European Commission publishes report on EU Charter of Fundamental Rights implementation

EFC/DAFNE involved in working on more guidance On 5th June 2019, the EC has published its report on the implementation of the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights by the EU institutions and the Member St...

22 May 2019

EESC calls for an enabling environment for philanthropy

PRESS RELEASE (pdf version here) Brussels, 22nd May 2019 - Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (DAFNE) and the European Foundation Centre (EFC) welcome the European Economic and Social Commit...

07 May 2019

Webinar | 15 May / 14.00h: EU ELECTIONS 2019: IS A EUROSCEPTIC SENTIMENT A THREAT TO PHILANTHROPY?

With only a few weeks to go until the European elections on 23-26 May, a new study from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) anticipates that 30% of the newly-elected MEPs will represent E...

11 April 2019

Philanthropy Manifesto: a milestone on the road towards a Single Market for Philanthropy

Guest post on Alliance Magazine by Massimo Lapucci, Secretary General of Fondazione CRT and Chair of the EFC On 20 March, in the presence of over 60 representatives from the EU institutions, the...

26 March 2019

Foundations vote for Europe

Guest post on Euractive.com by Felix Oldenburg, CEO of the Association of German Foundations and Chair of DAFNE DAFNE and EFC present Philanthropy Manifesto with demands and promises. In just o...

22 March 2019

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 Hou...

06 March 2019

Putting a foot in Europe’s closing doors by Massimo Lapucci, EFC Chair

Massimo Lapucci, the EFC Chair since 2017, and Secretary General of Fondazione CRT, has written an article for Alliance magazine titled ”Putting a foot in Europe’s closing doors”, that seeks...

26 February 2019

European philanthropy sector pushes back on proposed Dutch law requiring disclosure of donor information

Brussels, 26 February 2019 – Responding to the recently proposed act on transparency of civil society organisations in the Netherlands, the EFC and DAFNE have filed a joint contribution to the onlin...

06 February 2019

Social Economy for the Future of Europe

”Social Economy for the Future of Europe” was the final hearing of the Social Economy Intergroup of the European Parliament, held at the EESC on the 6th February. The hearing sought to take...

16 January 2019

Philanthropy and its as yet untapped potential in Europe was the topic of discussion at a hearing held by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

Philanthropy and its as yet untapped potential in Europe was the topic of discussion at a hearing held by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on the 16th January. The hearing brough...

06 December 2018

ECCVAT publishes recommendations on new VAT rules proposed by European Commission

The European Charities’ Committee on Value-Added Tax (ECCVAT) has published its recommendations for changes to the VAT rules proposed by the European Commission earlier this year. On 18 Janua...

26 November 2018

The EFC co-signs a statement in support of civil society titled ”Civil society on the frontline – 5 points for EU action” at the Annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights in Brussels on the 26-27 November

The EFC has co-signed a statement in support of civil society titled ”Civil society on the frontline – 5 points for EU action” at the Annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights in Brussels on the...

14 November 2018

The next round of EU Supra National Risk Assessment (SNRA), in the context of the Anti-Money Laundering Directive, starts with a first meeting with the philanthropic sector on the 30th November

The next round of EU Supra National Risk Assessment (SNRA), in the context of the Anti-Money Laundering Directive, starts with a first meeting with the philanthropic sector on the 30th November, pleas...

17 October 2018

The recording from the 17 October webinar on ”How philanthropy can engage with FATF in shaping counter-terrorism and money laundering policies

The recording from the 17 October webinar on ”How philanthropy can engage with FATF in shaping counter-terrorism and money laundering policies” with the EFC, Global NPO Coalition and WINGS is...

10 October 2018

The time is ripe for a European Single Market for Philanthropy

The time is ripe for a European Single Market for Philanthropy Brussels, 10 October 2018 – Yesterday evening’s lively debate in the European Parliament hosted by MEP Ivana Maletic (EPP/HR), an...

26 September 2018

EFC presents a report on the legal parameters of foundation operating environments to Zurich seminar on foundation supervision principles and practices

EFC’s Enabling Environment Manager, Hanna Surmatz, has delivered a presentation on the key trends of foundation supervision from a comparative perspective to 130 participants at the Zurich seminar�...

26 September 2018

EFC Policy and Programmes Director Maria Orejas appointed to European Commission Expert Group on Social Economy and Social Enterprises

In her capacity as EFC Policy and Programmes Director, Maria Orejas has been appointed to the European Commission Expert Group on Social Economy and Social Enterprises. The group is a newly formed ven...

11 September 2018

Philanthropy recognised as key partner in event on “co-creating a single market for philanthropy” – conference report” now available

Philanthropy recognised as key partner in event on “Co-creating a Single Market for Philanthropy” – Conference report now available Seeking to make the case for a Single Market for Philanthr...

23 August 2018

New European Commission report on “foundations, venture philanthropy and social investments

The Expert Group report on “Foundations, Venture Philanthropy and Social Investments”is focusing on how to better enable philanthropic foundations and philanthropists to take part in promoting re...

20 July 2018

EFC and DAFNE continue to engage with European Commission on European Values instrument

The EFC and DAFNE continue to engage jointly with the European Commission about the European Values Instrument, which is considered an important tool to defend democracy, human rights, core European v...

05 July 2018

EU action to defend the rule of law in Poland welcomed by european philanthropy

The recent launch of the European Commission’s infringement procedure against Poland regarding the Polish law on the Supreme Court is strongly supported by the EFC and DAFNE. This is an important...

28 May 2018

A single voice for a single market for philanthropy in Europe

A single voice for a single market for philanthropy On Monday, 28 May over 150 key representatives from politics, philanthropy and civil society came together in Brussels to discuss ways to incre...

15 February 2018

How do the proposed VAT reforms impact on institutional philanthropy?

At the beginning of the year, the European Commission developed a proposal to reform the VAT system by introducing more flexibility for Member States to change the VAT rates. It will now be crucial to...

16 January 2018

New study: Enlarging the space for european philanthropy

The operating environment for institutional philanthropy in parts of Europe is under threat. Therefore DAFNE and EFC are launching today the commissioned study “Enlarging the Space for European Ph...

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