Small actions, big shifts: What can we learn from social tipping points about driving climate action locally?
Systems at all levels of scale, whether at a national, regional, local, community, or personal level can tip (to a changed state / social norm) and community foundations can help trigger positive local social tipping points. With their knowledge of the local context and dynamics, and their ability to invest in bridging social capital, they are well placed to help build the trust required to adopt and cultivate a positive narrative around agency and change, rather than trying to push transformation prematurely or in a top-down manner. Importantly their understanding of the locality enables them to appreciate a diversity of opinions, concerns and impacts, such that they can work towards locally relevant ‘just transition’. A Positive Tipping Points Toolkit is suggested as a useful way to explore and identify how small, well-placed actions can trigger large, self-reinforcing positive change.
How Philanthropy For Climate can propel climate action in community foundations.
This 90-minute webinar titled “How Philanthropy For Climate Can Propel Climate Action in Community Foundations” was jointly hosted by Philea and ECFI. Aimed at community foundations across Europe – particularly those yet to sign an existing Climate Commitment but interested in strategically framing their climate action – the event attracted around 30 participants. Attendees primarily represented community
foundations and their support organizations, along with other types of organizations.
The New Italian Kid on the Block
This blog introduces Fondazione Comunità di Benevento, the ninth community foundation established in southern Italy. Through an interview with its chairman, it traces how cooperation around disability support, flood response and social capital led to the foundation’s creation. The article also explains its participatory governance model and its ambition to strengthen community welfare, civic engagement and inclusive local development, with current priorities including health poverty, education, climate action and the circular economy.
From Transaction to Transformation
This blog reflects on discussions from the 2023 UK Community Foundations CEO retreat about the future role of community foundations. It explores how transparency, donor engagement and sustainable giving can move philanthropy beyond transactions towards long-term transformation. The article also highlights climate action, equality-focused grantmaking, rural inequalities, Black leadership, organisational sustainability and the importance of peer learning in helping community foundations respond to complex and changing local needs.
ECFI Activities and Learnings 2022: Looking Ahead to 2023–2024
This presentation reviews the European Community Foundation Initiative’s main activities, priorities and lessons from 2022, while outlining its direction for 2023–2024. It covers peer learning, field research, support for Ukraine, climate action, emerging community foundation movements, partnerships and the development of ECFI’s Knowledge Centre and Atlas. It also reflects on ECFI’s evolving role as part of Europe’s philanthropy infrastructure and identifies principles guiding its future work.
Community Foundations in Europe 2022: Summary of the Field Research
This summary presents key findings from ECFI’s 2022 research into the community foundation field in Europe. It identifies 851 community foundations in 22 countries and 32 infrastructure organisations supporting their development. The publication highlights continued growth in emerging and established fields, stronger recognition following the COVID-19 pandemic, greater national and international collaboration, and increasing attention to community leadership, climate action, the Sustainable Development Goals, local needs mapping and digital transition.
ECFI Activities and Learnings 2021: A Look Ahead to 2022
This presentation reviews ECFI’s activities, reach and key learnings from 2021 while outlining priorities for 2022. It covers peer learning, digital transformation, thematic meetings, emerging community foundation fields, SDG engagement, knowledge sharing and online study visits. The presentation also reflects on challenges including uneven participation, limited resources and field research capacity, and sets out plans for stronger research, strategic discussion, movement building and collaboration across Europe.
