“Foundation Week is an important moment to show how foundations are working on a large range of topics. Foundations work in close proximity to people and engage in programmes to promote social change, access to health care, research, culture and many other activities which reflect the concerns of our society. Foundation Week will help to demonstrate the efficacy of the sector to those who may be interested in working with foundations and wish to know more about us.”

Francis Charhon, Chief Executive Officer, Fondation de France

“The EFC Foundation Week in Brussels is a major step of a strategy meant to signify that philanthropic foundations are, and want increasingly to be, an active component of European society and democracy.”

Piero Gastaldo, Secretary General, Compagnia di San Paolo

“As a European network of organisations promoting children’s rights and welfare, we want to bring our ideas and experience to a wider audience. We want to learn what’s happening in the world of philanthropy, connect with like-minded people, identify new partners and bring back new ideas to our membership. Foundation Week is a unique opportunity to achieve these aims. It should boost our on-going work to achieve lasting social change.”

Jana Hainsworth, Secretary General, Eurochild

“The first Foundation Week gives foundations the possibility to share their experiences as well as to present their work to a broader audience. You can also get involved by participating in the Open Days debates and Interactive Fair. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about the themes and strategies of foundations’ work and to share your point of view!”

Ingrid Hamm, Member of the Board of Management, Robert Bosch Stiftung

“I’m coming to Foundation Week because it is a very welcome breakthrough event in that it is a real attempt to connect foundations with the public, as well as EU policymakers, offering debates about the role of foundations in society and exhibitions showcasing what they do. Let’s hope the public makes use of the opportunities and the barriers start to come down!”

Caroline Hartnell, Editor, Alliance Magazine

“Foundation Week is the hallmark European event which brings together foundations and other actors that have a real need to work together and learn from each other. European philanthropy has a rich history, but is challenged by a complex, cross-cultural environment. I’m attending Foundation Week to better understand this complexity and the role that foundations play with respect to EU institutions.”

Bill Layton, Director Foundation Relations, United Nations Foundation

“Foundation Week represents a formidable opportunity for European philanthropy. It is the first week-long forum where foundations can exchange dialogue and interact with the public and stakeholders, raising public awareness of our missions, activities and goals. Don’t miss this unique chance to discover the world of foundations in Europe.”

Marco Parlangeli, Chief Executive and Chief General Manager,
Fondazione Monte dei Paschi di Siena

“Foundation Week will be a unique space to share the intense and diverse work that foundations are developing everyday all across Europe, strengthening our social fabric. It will also be an opportunity to convey foundations work to the general public and to policy makers. The Week is an important step in reinforcing a transparent, accountable and vibrant European foundation sector, and will certainly stand as a milestone in the work of the EFC.”

Emílio Rui Vilar, President of the Board of Trustees, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian

"Foundation Week…will be sharing the rich and varied foundation experiences with a broader public. So I look forward to a week filled with making connections that will fuel our shared interests and aspirations in Europe. Foundation Week will indeed be a future-looking moment!"

Katherine Watson, Director, European Cultural Foundation