With an eventful, exciting but also challenging year coming to an end, it’s a good moment to reflect on what this year has asked of the community foundation field, and of ECFI, which exists to support it. In a context of growing pressure on civil society and community foundations, our work this year has been shaped by listening closely, hosting moments of connection and responding alongside our partners. This reflection brings together some of the key themes that emerged from that shared experience.
A growing field, even in uncertain times
One of the clearest takeaways from this year is how much the community foundation field continues to evolve. Fifty years after the community foundation model first arrived in Europe (and happy anniversary to Wiltshire Community Foundation!), new foundations are still emerging, even in a difficult environment. This year alone, 23 new community foundations were created in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Serbia and Spain.
In other places, the picture looks different but no less encouraging. In Romania, for example, the number of community foundations has decreased on paper, while existing organisations have expanded their geographic reach with the aim of ensuring broader national coverage. In Portugal, existing CSOs and foundations are adopting the CF model, attracted by the place-based and long-term orientation and their emphasis on community ownership and participatory governance. Meanwhile, initiative groups are being nurtured in the Balkans, Austria and beyond, laying the groundwork for future growth.
Beyond the community foundation field itself, more philanthropic actors are recognising the value of local, community-led and bottom-up approaches to today’s challenges. This creates a window of opportunity to position community foundations as vital partners that bring local knowledge, long-term relationships, staying power, and both material and immaterial assets needed to support lasting change.
