Professional development is one of the four EFC strategic objectives, as identified by EFC members. It is a core tool underpinning and influencing all other activities of the Centre’s work, as boosting the skills and professional capacities of foundation staff in Europe is vital for a vibrant and thriving sector. Specific activities include:

• Ensuring that the Principles of Good Practice are upheld through the creation of standards and benchmarks that encourage transparency as well as measurable and evaluable practices.
• Organising trainings and exchanges emphasising effectiveness.
• Convincing foundations of the importance of investing in human resources, similar to the nurturing and development of any other asset.
• Europeanising GrantCraft: introducing guides and new training materials which encourage the subtle sharing of practice-based knowledge.

Over 2011/2012, EFC work on professional development has received generous support from the Adessium Foundation, Fondazione Cariplo, and the Wellcome Trust. The rationale for the EFC’s professional development programme is laid out in the member-commissioned report  *"Building Talent and Excellence within Foundations", written by the external consultant Mr David Carrington in 2008.