ECFI Youth Fest 2026 Report
In September 2026, over 40 young people from across Europe came together in Halle (Saale), Germany, for the ECFI Youth Fest: “It’s All About You(th) – Bridging Generations, Powering Participation and Voice for Democracy.” Over three days, community foundation practitioners explored what meaningful youth participation looks like in practice and what it takes to create organisations and communities where young people have the agency, resources and space to shape decisions and drive change.
Different Contexts, Shared Questions: Reflections from the Community Foundations Leaders’ Summit
Community Foundation Ireland recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. To mark the occasion, it convened a summit of community foundation leaders from across continental Europe, the UK, the US, Canada and Palestine. This article reflects what emerged from the gathering and shares some of the insights and reflections of European participants.
Looking back and looking ahead: five years of Boyarka Community Foundation
Over five years, Boyarka Community Foundation has evolved from a local grant-maker into vital community infrastructure, adapting its role through the pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion. Its experience shows how community foundations can sustain local initiatives, trust and wellbeing even amid profound uncertainty. Above all, it makes the case for long-term investment in locally rooted organisations as partners in the resilience and future of Ukrainian communities.
Reflections from Almería: Community Foundations as the Infrastructure of Local Change
The Spanish community foundation movement, international representatives of community foundations, funders, partners & universities gathered together for AEF’s annual conference. What emerged was much more than the annual gathering of Spain’s community foundation movement. It became a moment to take stock of how far the movement has come and, perhaps more importantly, where it is heading.
A Blind Spot in Danish Philanthropy: Denmark Needs a Clearer Picture of Its Place-Based Foundations
The debate about community foundations reveals a broader issue: Denmark lacks a comprehensive understanding of the place-based foundations that are already contributing to the development of local communities across the country.
This piece was originally published by Camilla Stenhaug, CEO of Gl. Skanderborg Fonden, and Martin Dahl, former CEO of Frederiksbergfonden in Danish on Filantropi – Udgivet af Danmarks Fonde Aps
Growing the Field: Philanthropy through a rural lens
What do we know about the philanthropic funding flowing into rural communities? How do the levels of funding and how the money is used compare with urban contexts? How might a better understanding of these aspects support more focused efforts to boost rural philanthropy? These are the questions being asked by a new Rural Philanthropy project recently launched in the UK. Its approach and early findings offer valuable insights for anyone interested in rural philanthropy and the role community foundations can play in supporting rural communities across Europe.
Curiosity and Enlightenment in practice: A Scottish fling
Foundation Scotland is asking itself ‘What can we do over the next 10 years that will have an impact over 100?’. A European delegation of Community Foundation Movement Leaders were invited to participate in a process to explore how to bring about systems change for lasting impact.
Culture as a pathway to community transformation: the case of the Raimat Arts Festival
In Raimat, a small rural community in Lleida with a deep agricultural legacy, culture has become a powerful tool for transformation. When Raimat Lleida Community Foundation was established in 2022, its aim was to connect legacy, land, and community to generate real positive impact. Since then, the Raimat Arts Festival has become the cultural project that best embodies this vision.
Building Agency, Belonging and Local Power Through Sport
Sport can be a powerful catalyst for individual and local development, and an effective lever for addressing complex community challenges. Across Europe, community foundations are investing in sport and sporting facilities as a strategy for strengthen individuals’ agency, particularly among young people, while fostering community building, and participation.
Youth Involvement and Best Practices Exchange learning – P2P Exchange
This report outlines the highlights and the main lessons learned on youth participation and involvement by Mirafiori Community Foundation (Italy) and Local Community Development Foundation, Štip (North Macedonia) within the ECFI P2P Exchange program.
