Re-thinking Approaches to Community Foundations Movement Building in the Balkans
Re-thinking approaches to community foundation movement building in the Balkans presents the synthesis of a multi-country action research initiative led by ECFI and partner support organisations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The report examines how community foundations are developing under conditions of political pressure, donor dependency, and shrinking civic space. Using the 4Cs framework—capacity, capability, credibility, and connections—it identifies key paradoxes of fragility and resilience, and offers strategic recommendations for consolidating existing foundations, strengthening support organisations, and building a sustainable, trust-based regional movement.
Balkan Re-think Action Research. National research reports
The Re-think National Research Reports – Annex complements the Balkan Re-think synthesis by providing detailed country-level analyses from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Drawing on interviews, desk research, and practitioner insights, the annex explores how community foundations and support organisations navigate fragile civic environments, donor dependency, and limited capacity. It captures national specificities while reinforcing shared patterns around trust-building, local legitimacy, and the critical role of long-term support in transforming emerging initiatives into sustainable community-based institutions.
Making the Case and Being a Voice for Community Foundations
This brief sums up the insights from the online discussion, that ECFI hosted, about the distinctive role of CFSOs and CFs in advocacy. The conversation has been framed around three interconnected dimensions of advocacy: visibility; operating environment and addressing issues/topics.
Living the dream in Romania
James Magowan shares his reflections on the community foundation movement in Romania, the road they have travelled and the current challenges. His reflections were prompted by his attendance at the Romanian Federation of Community Foundations conference in October 2022.
Community Foundations and their Support Ecosystem in Europe
The DAFNE/ECFI Webinar Report highlights the evolving landscape of community foundations and their support ecosystem in Europe. Bringing together practitioners and researchers, the session underlined the diversity of the movement—spanning over 800 community foundations and 22 support organisations. Speakers from Germany and Romania illustrated how local context, trust-building, and tailored support shape development. The discussion reaffirmed that community foundations act as catalysts for civic participation, cross-sector collaboration, and long-term resilience, requiring flexible and locally rooted support structures.
ECFI Guide: Community Foundations in Italy
The Guide to Community Foundations in Italy presents a rich mosaic of local philanthropy shaped by diversity and innovation. Since 1999, Italy’s 37 community foundations have grown into trusted platforms connecting citizens, institutions, and donors to address social, economic, and cultural challenges. Promoted by Assifero with partners such as Cariplo and Con il Sud, they act as community hubs—mobilising resources, nurturing civic participation, and fostering inclusion from Lombardy to Sicily. The guide celebrates a movement that unites tradition, social innovation, and long-term commitment to human development.
ECFI Guide: Community Foundations Support Organisations and National Champions in Europe
The 2018 ECFI Survey on Community Foundation Support Organizations and National Champions provides the first comprehensive mapping of Europe’s community philanthropy infrastructure. It identifies 22 active support organizations and over 790 community foundations across 27 countries. Despite limited capacity, support organizations play a vital role in professionalisation, leadership development, and advocacy, helping the movement grow strategically. The report highlights their contribution to peer learning, research, and cross-border collaboration—showing how ECFI strengthens this ecosystem to build a dynamic and connected European community foundation movement.
ECFI Guide: Community Foundations in the United Kingdom
The guide presents the long-established and vibrant community foundation movement in the United Kingdom — one of the strongest in Europe. UK Community Foundations (UKCF) acts as the national network, supporting 47 accredited community foundations that cover nearly every part of the country. These foundations connect donors with local causes, provide grants, and foster community leadership. Their collective impact includes significant contributions to local resilience, social cohesion, and inclusive growth. Rooted in trust and local knowledge, UK community foundations exemplify how philanthropy can strengthen communities and reduce inequalities while working in partnership with public and private sectors.
ECFI Guide: Community Foundations in Germany
The guide presents the development and distinct identity of community foundations in Germany. Emerging in the 1990s as a new form of civic self-organisation, they bridge philanthropy, volunteerism, and local problem-solving. German community foundations combine independence, transparency, and broad citizen participation to strengthen communities. Their roles—as asset managers, platforms for civic engagement, and intermediaries in local networks—make them vital actors in addressing social challenges, from youth inclusion to refugee support. In 2016 over 300 such foundations operated nationwide, fostering trust and collaboration between citizens, government, and business.
Support Organisations for Community Foundations in Europe
The report highlights the crucial role of national support organisations in strengthening the community foundation movement across Europe. These organisations promote new foundations, provide advice, connect networks, and advocate for community-led philanthropy. Despite their diversity, they share a mission to empower local communities and foster civic engagement. The study calls for a shared European understanding of “community foundation,” stronger cross-border learning, and joint programmes to enhance social impact and sustainability.
