LAUNCH OF A EUROPEAN PHILANTHROPY MANIFESTO
Philanthropy is best summarised as transforming generosity into lasting impact, but at its best, through commitment, collaboration and focus philanthropy can be a catalyst for positive social change.
This is why we welcome launch of The European Philanthropy Manifesto, a joint initiative of DAFNE (Donors and Foundations Network Europe) and the EFC (European Foundation Centre). European foundations, philanthropic organisations and policymakers have come together to jointly launch the European Philanthropy Manifesto and to advocate for an enabling environment for philanthropy in Europe.
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.
The “European Philanthropy Manifesto” is a call to policy makers in Europe to work towards a Single Market for Philanthropy which includes a better recognition of philanthropy in EU legislation as well as at national level; supports cross-border philanthropy across the EU; and decreases today’s barriers for philanthropy in order to leverage the impact of donors’ and foundations’ spending of private resources for public good.
Four key recommendations emerging from the manifesto are;
- Recognise philanthropy and engage with it
- Facilitate cross-border philanthropy and reduce barriers
- Enable and protect philanthropy
- Co-grant and co-invest for public good and civil society
Institutional philanthropy in Europe includes more than 147,000 philanthropic organisations with an accumulated annual giving of nearly 60 billion euros. 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.
We want to harness similar expertise, knowledge and networks in Ireland in a hope to empower people who want to make a difference through a model of strategic giving which is effective and delivers. We connect the generosity of donors with the energy, ideas and time of people in the community.
The Community Foundation for Ireland welcomes the opportunity to work with other trusts and foundations where there is a shared strategic objective and where there is a chance to achieve synergies and to optimise the use of scarce philanthropic funds. Over the next few years we would love to see philanthropy flourishing in Ireland and The Community Foundation for Ireland will be here to work with and foster individuals, families, corporates and trusts and foundations supporting progressive social change through strategic giving.