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.
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.
We are there: community foundations in emergency response and recovery
This practice-oriented publication explores how community foundations in Poland, Romania and Spain responded to severe floods in 2024. Through case studies and cross-cutting reflections, it examines how trust, proximity and long-term relationships shaped emergency response and recovery, highlighting the role of community foundations as locally rooted actors that coordinate support, sustain civic infrastructure and navigate difficult choices under pressure.
Looking Back at 2025: What did this year ask of ECFI and the field?
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.
Community Foundations as Drivers of Social Change: ECFI at Stiftungstag 2025
ECFI joined Stiftungstag 2025, one of the biggest gathering of philanthropy practitioners across Germany and beyond. In this piece, Kathrin Dombrowski, Coordinating Director at ECFI, shares her insights from the event and highlights some key discussion points from the ECFI panel on the role of community foundations in contributing to “social tipping points” on climate.
Recentering the purpose and pathways for community foundation support organisations: Infrastructure for the Future
Over 100 leaders from community foundations support organisations (CFSOs) representing 34 countries across four continents gathered in Bucharest, convened by Inspire, to reflect and exchange on the present and possible future roles for CFSOs. Here, we share some of the insights gathered by the ECFI team.
Reviving and reimagining Rural Life: The Story of La Nou Community Foundation and Its Mission for Generational Renewal
In this interview, Francesca Mereta, ECFI, explores the origins and aspirations of La Nou Community Foundation with Eva González Vargas, Secretary General. Located in a rural area with the lowest population density in Europe, La Nou Community Foundation focuses on addressing the eco-social crisis, and in particular its impact on young people, through creating opportunities for a fulfilling life in the locality.
