ENHANCING IMPACT THROUGH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS
Led by iac-berlin the opening session explored the fundamentals of networked approaches starting with adopting a network mindset built on:
- Focus on mission before organisation
- Manage through trust not control
- Promote others not yourself
- Build constellations not stars
When considering our networks we were encouraged to place purpose (rather than ourselves / our organisations) at the centre and to avoid internal hierarchy and organistional structures becoming an obstacle to effective networking.
The value of networks in providing a sense of belonging and of being purpose-driven was noted. We were reminded that the transactional dimension however should not be ignored i.e. there should be give and take, and mutual benefit derived from both active and passive participation in a network.
Drawing on the work of June Holley models of network weaving were considered
The pros and cons of each were discussed and it was concluded that it was important for support organisations to be capable of transitioning between various models (and not to see these as phases of development) – adapting according to purpose, thus allowing for both centralisation and decentralisation / distributed leadership as appropriate.
In order to stimulate thinking around networks relating to the work of community foundations, and in particular the role for ECFI, the ecosystem below was presented. This places community foundations in the centre and expands from local through national and European to global levels. The support infrastructure is placed where it is considered to best fit in relation to the five Cs (the roles of support organisations shown as segments – as Catalysts underpinning all the other 4 Cs – Connections, Credibility, Capability and Capacity) organisations. This overview of the ecosystem provides a framework within which we can consider our respective and collective network connections.
ECFI HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS 2023
Throughout 2023 ECFI set out to:
- Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning spaces open to the CF field & stakeholders;
- Produce and curate resources in English accessible to all, through adaptation and where appropriate, translation;
- Utilise specialist expertise from inside and outside the CF field as required to enhance the learning experience;
- Remain sensitive to the diverse social, economic and political contexts in Europe and to the variety of forms and functions of CFs that have emerged;
- Be agile and responsive to emerging needs in the field; • Strengthen connections within the CF and CFSO field;
- Engage with other relevant stakeholders (notably Philea) as appropriate to raise awareness of the potential of CFs;
- Work with new partners
Particular highlights were the launching of the European Community Foundation Atlas and Directory, the introduction for regular (fortnightly) informal ‘ECFI picnics’ open to all CFSOs, operationalization of new partnerships brining new knowledge and resources into the field, expansion of ECFI’s reach in to new territories.
By the end of 2023 ECFI will have delivered:
- 25 Online-meetings and 12 physical meetings for 170 individuals from 26 countries
- 36 learning products (12 Newsletters, 5 Event documentations, 9 Views from the Field / Blogs, 10 Reports and Guides)
- 15 ECFI CFSO lunch break ‘picnics’ offered informal knowledge exchange
- 4 topical meetigns (online and in person): ABCD Masterclass; The SDGs are Good For Us; Safeguarding Principles and CFs o Circular Economy and Circular Philanthropy
- Climate Learning Journey (six month engagement involving 26 participants) and follow up Climate Action Days
- Study Visit to Serbia with participants from 15 countries, co-created with Trag
- 5 CF2CF exchanges with 10 organisations from 6 countries (see map below)
- SDGs as a red thread running through all activities and publications
It was noted that ECFI should maintain open and informal spaces to encourage the engagement of new-comers and to connect with peers internationally (recognising that most are unique in their own country). This building of strong connections (deep into organisations) is important to generating a sense of collective endeavour and to develop trusted personal relationships. Study visits and peer exchanges, provide for an enriching experience however it remains essential that they are purpose driven and that there is scope for the sharing and application of learning. The very different needs (and capabilities) of national associations / support organisations and community foundations was highlighted. A range of topics that would be of interest to the field was suggested including: migration / immigration; youth engagement; added value of embracing the SDGs; challenging operational environments / closing space for civil society; role specific issues (e.g. communications, fund development, grantmaking); strategic and succession planning; social entrpreneurship and impact investing. Knowledge and experience that exists in the field on all of these topics and this should be harnessed (in-sourced), but also external expertise should be brought in where appropriate.
It was noted that language remains a barrier and that national CFSOs have a responsibility to translate documentation and learning in order to reach their constituencies and where appropriate encourage their participation in ECFI activities. A greater use of infographics would be helpful. The particular needs for ‘emerging countries’ continue to deserve special attention. It was suggested that better coordination (perhaps with a shared calendar) and promotion of national events could help with bringing relevant international knowledge and experience. With ECFI being THE European ‘hub’ it was acknowledged the support organisations need to consider how they can contribute to ECFI as well as benefit from its activities. While there remains interest from some countries in connecting community foundations to the SDGs, the ECFI offer, based on the SDG Wake Up Call workshops and resources providing evidence of practice, should be reviewed to accommodate different needs.
A DIVE INTO THE FIELD
Our dive into the field was based on responses from support organisations to a questionnaire issued prior to the meeting.
This revealed the very different operating environments from ‘favourable’ with high level of trust, history of philanthropy, and less regulation to ‘hostile’ where there is a lack of trust (in civil society and in particular in philanthropic institutions), absence or weak culture of giving, and a high level of restrictive regulation or lack of facilitating regulation. Every country has its own specific understanding of what a community foundation is. All adhere to the common characteristics of being defined by a geographic area, having a broadly defined mission, intention to generate and utilise a range of financial resources, being a grant-maker. There remains debate over whether endowment building is appropriate – however it is acknowledged it is one way of assuring independence.
Mapping remains a challenge and it was stressed that this is an area where ECFI is dependent on data provided by national support organisations. Nine countries indicated that there is potential for further development of the field (Austria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Serbia, Spain) whereas seven reported a stable situation with no further growth expected (Czechia, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine, Latvia, Italy, UK). Approaches to introducing standards / criteria for example as is the case in Germany, Poland, Czechia, UK, were discussed with the importance being that it provided the basis for distinguishing community foundations (in function and form), encouraging development of the field, and improving practice. A challenge remains however in how to ensure that standards / criteria are adhered to and what to do with organisations that may drift from them. A library of these standards will be collated by ECFI.
Across Europe community foundations feel the impact of multiple crises (environmental, social, and economic). Their sustainability is dependent on their relevance and credibility within their localities. This can be enhanced through demonstrating a profound knowledge of the issues and needs (for example through ethnographic research conducted by young people for Naples Community Foundation), transparency, strategic interventions, good grant-making. However there remains the challenge of attracting increasingly scarce resources. Building a culture of giving and proving added value to donors and to the NGO sector remains a priority for many support organisations. It was noted that local philanthropy (and the grant-making and non grant-making roles of community foundations), in particular in respect of democratizing philanthropy and in providing a holistic approach, is being increasingly recognised and valued by other foundations and philanthropy networks. It remains important to continue to raise awareness about the field and to ensure the voice of community foundations is heard in other European and global forums, for example to contribute to advocacy work in relation to improving the operating environment.
A LOOK AHEAD TO 2024
An outline action plan for 2024 was presented
BEYOND 2024
The purpose of this session was to initiate discussion on how the European community foundation movement can be best promoted and developed in the longer term, and to consider where ECFI, as a specific initiative, lies in the philanthropy support ecosystem.
It was acknowledged that input from the field (and in particular from the support infrastructure) was essential in this process. It was agreed to establish a Working Group with a breadth of knowledge and experience across Europe to be facilitated by Julia Szanton tasked to support the ECFI team to:
- consider what is needed to build the CF movement and to deliver support for the CFSO and CF field at European level;
- review the philanthropy support ecosystem;
- propose options (in a recommendations report) for how CFSO and CF support could be delivered (including, if appropriate, a specific role and place in the ecosystem for ECFI).
Representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Serbia, Spain. Ukraine, UK volunteered to participate in the Working Group between January and the end of March 2024. Options and the proposed way forward will then be shared with all community foundation support organisations.
