Foundations have taken the lead and have set up a series of Interest Groups within the framework of the EFC to allow foundations with common interests in a specific field or geographical region to work together in addressing a particular issue. Other named cooperative research projects are testimony of the growing interest amongst foundations of European and international cooperation.
European Foundation Centre (EFC) projects and interest groups
EFC members come together in approximately 12 working groups as follows:
Issue-focused foundation members networks
-EFC Disability Interest Group
This group, created within the framework of the EFC Fundación ONCE project "Partnership for Vocational Training and Employment for People with Disabilities in Europe", aims to provide foundations, corporate funders and their partners active in the field with a platform for debate; exchange of information and good practices; and collaboration.
- EFC Education and Youth Interest Group
The EFC's Education and Youth Interest Group brings together funders involved in education and youth issues. The Youth Empowerment Partnership Programme (YEPP) is a major project that was developed within the interest group, and is now managed by NEF (Network of European Foundations for Innovative Cooperation).
- EFC European HIV/AIDS Funders Group, 2002
The European HIV/AIDS Funders Group is a knowledge-based network dedicated to strengthening European philanthropy in the field of HIV/AIDS. The group aims to mobilise philanthropic leadership and resources to address the global HIV/AIDS pandemic and its social and economic consequences and to promote an enabling environment for independent giving in this field.
- EFC Migration Interest Group
The EFC Migration Interest Group, which was initiated by the King Baudouin Foundation, aims to provide foundations and corporate funders active in migration issues with a platform for debate, and exchange of information and examples of good practices.
- EFC Minorities and Multiculturalism Interest Group
The EFC Minorities and Multiculturalism Interest Group works towards improving the quality of life for minorities and reducing ethnic-based discrimination and conflict. This mission is based on the premise that all citizens in Europe - regardless of race, religion, nationality, origin and related ethnic and cultural background - should have equal rights and opportunities of living and accomplishment.
Independent funders have a responsibility to assess the potential impact of their work on ethnic related situations. It is the purpose of the EFC Interest Group to provide a framework allowing for an assessment and to facilitate resources for independent funders with specific minority programmes.
- EFC Social Investment Group
This group brings together representatives from foundations, business, private investors and multilateral agencies to encourage knowledge sharing; expertise exchange and networking; and more foundation involvement and collaboration in the field of social investment on a global scale. Underlying this are the objectives of gaining a better understanding of foundations' needs, motivations, strategies and the particular role they can and do play in creating added value in this area; and of developing knowledge and tools to support foundations' work.
Geographical Funders networks
- The Europe-Asia Civil Society Dialogue
www.efc.be/projects/eacs
The EFC Europe-Asia Civil Society Dialogue sets out to map, network, convene and promote civil society, academic and cultural exchanges between Europe and Asia.
- The Grantmakers East Group (GEG)
www.efc.be/projects/GEG
The EFC Grantmakers East Group (GEG) promotes the development of civil society in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the New Independent States (NIS) by providing funders with a platform to increase the effectiveness of their grantmaking efforts and to encourage new donor activity in the region. GEG activities are guided by a Steering Committee, a voluntary group of leading CEE/NIS grantmakers. GEG's core activity is an annual meeting for funders active in the region. The event has now developed into one of the premier events on the calendar of grantmakers working in CEE/NIS.
- The Latin America and Caribbean Funders Network
www.efc.be/projects/ic/lacig
The EFC Latin America and Caribbean Funders Network convenes foundations, corporate donors and philanthropy support organisations concerned with the development of philanthropy and the strengthening of communities and civic participation in the region. It provides a forum for peer-to-peer learning, best practice exchange and information sharing. Furthermore, it seeks to facilitate the development of joint ventures among foundations in areas of common interest and encourage dialogue and cooperation between foundations, business, multi-lateral institutions and governments.
- Transatlantic Initiatives
www.efc.be/projects/tadd
This EFC Transatlantic Initiatives platform for information and practice exchange; networking and coordination; and the establishment of joint ventures between European and US public and private donors aims to improve transatlantic understanding and relations, as well as to strengthen transatlantic cooperation in other world regions. The forum was launched in 1998 under the name Trans-Atlantic Donors Dialogue, within framework of the New Transatlantic Agenda.
- The Trans-Mediterranean Civil Society Dialogue (TMCD)
www.efc.be/projects/tmcd
The EFC Trans-Mediterranean Civil Society Dialogue (TMCD) aims to identify issues of common concern in the greater Mediterranean Region and develop a full and productive dialogue among those players active in the region. The dialogue also aims to help launch and sustain initiatives and projects in the region by promoting and facilitating exchange of information and expertise at the level of civil society organisations - foundations, corporate funders and their respective grantee and partner organisations.
- The Sub-Saharan Africa Funders Network
www.efc.be/projects/ic/ssaig.asp
The EFC Sub-Saharan Africa Funders Network (SSAFN) convenes foundations and corporate funders concerned with Sub-Saharan Africa with a view to facilitating networking and information exchange, stimulating critical reflection on grantmaking priorities and practice towards increasing funders' effectiveness, fostering cooperation and encouraging new donor activity in the region.
- Europe in the World
www.europeintheworld.info
The Europe in the World (EitW) project aims at advocating and mobilising more leadership, collaboration and resources for global development. The idea of the EitW project stems from the sporadic involvement of European foundations in activities that go beyond their national boundaries. It started in 2002 as a NEF project and is now managed by the European Foundation Centre (EFC). Supporting foundations include the Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the King Baudouin Foundation, the Compagnia di San Paolo and the Charities Aid Foundation.
Other European cooperative issue-focused funders networks
European Foundation Financial and Investment Officers (EFFIO)
The group of European Foundation Financial and Investment Officers (EFFIO) aims to provide a platform, where its members can exchange views, ideas and information on investment issues from a European perspective. The functioning and framework for investment of foundations differs between European countries. EFFIO provides a forum to examine concrete investment topics, trends and developments.
European Grouping of Social Economy Foundations
www.fondazionecesar.it/leonardo/presentation.htm
This Group brings together a group of European foundations set up by mutual/ friendly societies and cooperatives in 6 EU countries. It has initiated various European projects focusing on social economy and the integration of young people / migrants through employment.
Foundations for Peace
www.nivt.org
Foundations for Peace is a network of foundations working in divided societies. It was launched at a meeting convened by the Community Foundation of Northern Ireland in October 2003. Leaders from five foundations based in areas of conflict addressed the problems of funding social justice, inclusion and peace-building in divided societies.
Transnational Giving Europe (TGE) Initiative
www.kbs-frb.be/code/page.cfm?id_page=264&lang=EN
www.kbs-frb.be/files/img/en/TGE_en.pdf
Transnational Giving Europe (TGE) is a partnership of a number of European foundations that provides a uniform and reliable framework allowing tax-efficient cross-border giving within Europe. The TGE network enables donors, both corporations and individuals, resident in one of the participating countries, to financially support non-profit organisations in other member countries, while benefiting directly from the tax advantages provided for in the legislation of their country of residence. For fundraisers, TGE provides Europe-wide opportunities to mobilise resources; to diversify and enlarge donor bases; to access new donor groups e.g. multinationals, expatriates; to encourage donor loyalty; and to make the most out of new fundraising tools e.g. the Internet.
Network of European Foundations (NEF)
www.nef-web.org
The Network of European Foundations (NEF) is a non-for profit organisation based in Brussels (Belgium) which aims to act as a launching platform for foundation cooperative projects at European level.
The Network of European Foundations (NEF) currently manages a series of cooperative projects and programme, namely the following:
- Youth Empowerment Partnership Programme (YEPP), 2000
www.yepp-community.org
The programme was founded by a group of EFC foundation members in 2000 under the EFC Interest Group on Education and Youth Policies. Currently the Programme is funded by the Compagnia di San Paolo, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the King Baudouin Foundation, the Evens Foundation, the Bernheim Foundation, the Freudenberg Stiftung and the Foundation for Swedish Culture in Finland. It currently operates in seven Programme Sites in six countries and other sites are planned e.g. in Russia. The Youth Empowerment Partnership Programme aims at establishing an innovative European transatlantic partnership of foundations, independent funders and governments which targets disadvantaged youth. This is achieved by sharing and pooling expertise and resources, transferring and combining best practice, creating new initiatives leading to joint pilot action and coherent sustainable strategies in a number of selected sites across various countries that are designated as "Centres of High Intensity". The external evaluation of the YEPP programme is carried out in collaboration with the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI), a research centre of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
- Protection of Undocumented Migrant Workers (PICUM)
www.picum.org
This project focuses on the protection of undocumented migrant workers, and is a joint initiative of the Compagnia di San Paolo, the Fundação Luso-Americana and the King Baudouin Foundation. The project is managed by the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM). It aims at creating of network of information exchange between researchers in Europe, highlighting best practices in the field and developing methodologies to enhance the protection of undocumented migrant workers.
- Science and Society Programme, 2004
The Science and Society programme is a joint initiative of the Riksbankens Jubileumsfond (Sweden), the Compagnia di San Paolo (Italy), the King Baudouin Foundation (Belgium) and the Fondation Villette-Entreprises (France). It is managed by the European Collaborative for Science, Industry and Technology Exhibitions (ECSITE), a non-profit organisation representing European science centres and museums, based in Brussels. The programme aims at overcoming public distrust, alienation and lack of interest in science.
NEF is developing the following new project:
- Working Group on Global Environmental Governance , 2004
The Working Group on Global Environmental Governance was set up by the Federal Trust for Education and Research, a London-based think-tank renowned for the quality of its work. It aims at (1) contributing analysis and recommendations to the development and possible revision of the European Commission's 6th Environment Action Programme, "Environment 2010 - Our Future, Our Choice"; (2) contributing analysis and policy recommendations to the further development and implementation of the Action Programme's international dimension; and (3) identifying ways in which the European Union can play a full and active role in promoting global environmental governance, in particular at the United Nations, OECD and as part of the G8.
NEF's past projects, now completed include:
- Ethnobarometer, 1996 - 2001
The Ethnobarometer Programme is a network of social scientists providing independent and research-based reports on levels of racism, xenophobia and ethnic conflict in selected countries of Central, Eastern and Western Europe. It aims to monitor events, highlight areas of tension and identify relevant topics for further research and inquiry. Launched in October 1996, Ethnobarometer is an independent legal entity under Italian Law as of March 2001.
- Creative Europe, 1998 - 2002
"Creative Europe", launched by three foundations - Riksbankens Jubileumsfond, the European Cultural Foundation and Fondation de France - is an action-oriented, inter-disciplinary and transnational comparative research and development project which ran from 1998 to 2002. It focused on two artistic fields: theatre (including independent production) and the visual arts (including multimedia).
- Cultural Cooperation in Europe: what Role for Foundations ?, 2004
A collective foundation supported project, which aimed to identify core policy trends and features adopted by foundations in the field of international cultural cooperation. The study started in January 2003 and was completed in 2004.
- The Europe We Need, 2001
This project belongs to a larger initiative of the European Policy Centre (EPC). The part supported by NEF focused on the Charter of Fundamental Rights and its incorporation into the draft EU constitutional treaty that was adopted by the Convention on the Future of Europe in June 2003.
International cooperative initiatives involving European funders
Bellagio Forum for Sustainable Development
www.bfsd.org
The Bellagio Forum is an international network of foundations, non-governmental organizations, media institutions and corporations. It has members in Asia, Europe and North America. The Forums`s mission is to foster cooperation that contributes to environmental balance, economic stability and social progress in an international framework. As a catalyst between the private sector, civil society and government, BFSD has developed into one of the pre-eminent voices on sustainable development issues.
The International Network on Strategic Philanthropy (INSP)
www.insp.efc.be/
Established in 2001, the International Network on Strategic Philanthropy (INSP) is a joint initiative of several major foundations which have decided to invest in the infrastructure of the philanthropic sector. INSP was established as a flexible and productive development tool which allows foundation experts involved to establish an exchange of know-how and experience focusing on areas of best practice, values and aspirations of those who might consider entering philanthropy, sustainable efforts for strategic grant-making, and the professionalisation of foundation work amongst others.
Transatlantic Community Foundation Network (TCFN)
www.tcfn.efc.be/
The TCFN provides a platform for the exchange of experience and expertise among community foundations on both sides of the Atlantic. It seeks to identify good practice and share it with emerging and existing community foundations. In addition, its goal is to foster the development of this form of philanthropy in countries where the concept is still new.
Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmakers Support (WINGS)
www.wingsweb.org
Created in 2000, Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support (WINGS) is a global network of around 100 membership associations and support organisations serving grantmakers, such as the EFC, which have joined together to develop modes of communication and collaboration, to contribute to the strengthening of philanthropy worldwide and to address the common issues related to their support of grantmakers worldwide. WINGS is currently hosted by the EFC.
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