A European Statute is the most cost-effective policy option for addressing cross-border barriers and thereby stimulating foundations’ activities across Europe. The European Foundation Centre (EFC) and the Donors and Foundations' Networks in Europe (DAFNE) welcome this key outcome of the public consultation released by the European Commission Directorate-General for Internal Market and Services (DG MARKT) on 10 November 2009.
The vast majority of the responses to the public consultation on a European Foundation Statute support the establishment of a European legal form for foundations. The results are also in line with the recommendations of the Feasibility Study for a European Foundation Statute published by DG MARKT on 16 February this year.
Commending the high mobilisation and participation of foundations and partner organisations in the consultation, Gerry Salole, EFC Chief Executive, stated: “The EFC hails the results of both the survey and the Study. The EFC had expressed its concerns that the format of the consultation and the availability of all the consultation documents including the Feasibility Study in one language only would have an impact on the level of participation. Clearly, the sector has expressed firm interest and sent a plain message. In step with this strong demand from the sector, the EFC now calls on the Commission to conclude the impact assessment work in 2010 by presenting a proposal for a regulation that will enable foundations to easily operate in the internal market.”
Rosa Gallego, Chair of DAFNE, recalled that “the European Foundation Statute is an opportunity to have a European instrument designed to pool private resources into activities for public good to address European and global pressing needs and policy issues. In the current context of globalisation, the growing foundation sector is increasingly working across borders. However the lack of a proper legislative instrument at European level prevents them from working on an equal footing with other organisations. DAFNE members believe that the outcomes of the public consultation provide clear evidence of the need for a European Foundation Statute and trust that the Commission will table a proposal in due course”.
Download the joint EFC-DAFNE statement on the outcomes of the public consultation