EFC Update

74 days left to Foundation Week. That is, 74 days until the launch of what we know will be a groundbreaking event that will bring together a wide range of actors, including foundations, EU institutions, national representations, multilaterals, NGOs, think tanks and the general public.  A printed version of the Week’s preliminary programme will be sent to you shortly, in the meantime it can be downloaded here.

The pre-programme gives you a first look at the exciting line-up of debates, exhibits, concerts and other activities that are taking place during the Week. As you will see, Foundation Week will be divided into several parts. From 31 May to 2 June, the Open Days will offer a platform for foundations to showcase their work to a wide audience and highlight the important role they play in the European project. 

Also taking place during the week, from 2-4 June, the EFC 21st AGA and Conference, will focus on foundations engaging in ‘a conversation with the institutions’ on issues of mutual interest. The conference also aims to address key issues affecting the legal and fiscal framework in which foundations operate as well as matters of how foundations communicate, network and build their capacity. Details on how to register for the AGA and Conference, as well as information about the venue and accommodation for the Week are provided in the pre-programme. 

Running throughout the week will be an Interactive Fair, 2,000 square metres of stands, displays, exhibitions and film screenings showing what foundations are doing to improve citizens’ lives across Europe and beyond. Among the exhibits, some of which are highlighted in the pre-programme, is a hanging photography exhibition documenting the lives of a group of young people from Kalongo, a small village in Northern Uganda, severely affected by civil war. During the war, the village was transformed into a refugee camp which sheltered up to 60,000 displaced people. The photographs exhibited were taken by young people from the camp, who spent a month learning about photography journalism as a key means of describing the stories and the hopes of their people. The project was supported by Fondazioni4Africa, in conjunction with Amref, Cesvi and COOPI.

Let me conclude by reminding to get involved in our 2010 Photo Competition. This year’s theme is “Working in Partnership” and members are encouraged to send in pictures that show what they have achieved by joining forces with other organisations. You can send in your photos using our entry form up until the deadline on 31 March.