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Where do we stand?
The European Commission will present a proposal on a European Foundation Statute by the end of the year. Once adopted by the full college of Commissioners, the proposal will then be shared with the Council of Ministers representing the governments of the 27 Member States for review and approval and to the European Parliament for its consent. Currently the Commission Directorate General for Internal Market is finalising the impact assessment process which it has to undertake before submitting any new legislative proposal. The impact assessment aims to analyse the need for and the impact of a European Statute for foundations.
The European Parliament pledged support to European Statutes for foundations, associations and mutual societies with the signatures by a majority of its Members of a Written Declaration in February 2011.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the EU’s official advisory body on social and economic matters, has given a clear and strong backing to the Statute by approving with a large majority of the votes the opinion drafted by EESC member Mall Hellam on 28 April 2010. The opinion urges the European Commission to present a proposal for a Regulation on a European Foundation Statute to support public-benefit activities for its adoption by the Council and the European Parliament in due course.
Why is a European Foundation Statute (EFS) needed?
Foundations and their funders are increasingly working across borders. However, a number of civil and tax law barriers are hampering foundations’ current work. The lack of appropriate legal tools means that new European initiatives by foundations are delayed or abandoned.
A European Foundation Statute will offer them an appropriate legal tool to perform and increase their work and operations across Europe.
> See background materials about the European Foundation Statute and proposals on the scope and content of a European Foundation Statute here
How can you contribute to the process?
There are different ways in which you can contribute to the EFC's efforts to increase awareness and support for the creation of a European statute for foundations at European and national level.
What you can do:
- Share with us your experience and views on cross-border work and the EFS!
- Contact your national and European representatives!
You want to contribute: please go to the "Support the Statute" page or contact us at eu@efc.be