The Donors and Foundations' Networks in Europe (DAFNE) was established in 2006.It is an informal network that aims at linking different Donors and Foundations' Networks (DFNs) in Europe and serving charitable foundations and other grantmakers at the national level.

DAFNE provides a platform for enhancing bilateral and multilateral collaboration among individual DFNs and also, collectively, with the European Foundation Centre (EFC) and third parties. This network and collaboration with the EFC will contribute to strengthening the voice and the representation of the views of this sector at a European level.

The objectives of DAFNE

The objectives of the DAFNE are:

• to underpin the individual activities of its members and to strengthen their collaboration
• to contribute to a fruitful environment for philanthropy and especially for charitable foundations within Europe

In pursuing these objectives the DAFNE is a platform for:

• exchanging national experience and knowledge incl. best practices
• organising the support of DFNs
• offering networking opportunities
• development of joint programs or projects
• peer learning of DFNs
• organising the support of advocacy efforts at European level.
  

DAFNE and EFC

The European Foundation Centre (EFC) and the DFNs recognize each other as colleague organisations cooperating in the encouragement of and support for the promotion of philanthropy. The DAFNE and the EFC share the aim of strengthening philanthropy, enhancing the operating environment of charitable foundations and other philanthropic funders active in and with Europe and promoting their work.

The European Foundation Centre (EFC) also hosts the secretariat of DAFNE. The secretariat supports the organization and preparation of DAFNE meetings as well as the work of the DAFNE steering committee and the network.

Meetings

The DAFNE meets twice a year in plenary for a two-day session in winter and a one-day session during the course of the EFC Annual General Assembly and Conference.

Members

Steering Committee

The DAFNE Steering Committee is responsible for setting the agenda and preparation of meetings, coordinating activities and communication between meetings, and preparing policy and joint activity proposals to the DAFNE membership.

Committee members are elected for a specific position for a two-year term, except the treasurer whose term is three years. The following three committee members were re-elected in May 2011:

Chair:  Rosa Gallego - Asociación Española de Fundaciones
Vice-Chair:  Natalya Kaminarskaya - Russia Donors Forum
Member:  Krasimira Velichkova - Bulgarian Donors Forum

Treasurer: Giorgio Righetti - Associazione di Fondazioni e di Casse di Risparmio - ACRI (elected in January 2011)

Contact

For more information about DAFNE please email to dafne@efc.be