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.
Network weaving in complex ecosystems – supporting the establishment and development of community foundations
These working session notes explore how networks act as key infrastructure in strengthening community foundation ecosystems. Framed through the “5 Cs” — including an added catalytic role — networks provide platforms for exchange, build capacity and credibility, and connect actors across levels. They support the emergence and development of community foundations by offering technical assistance, mobilising resources, and shaping the field’s identity. The document highlights the importance of flexible, context-driven network forms and the need for sustainable support to maintain their long-term effectiveness.
Is there space for community philanthropy within the Portuguese civil society landscape?
This piece reflects on how community foundations in Southeast Europe are strengthening local ecosystems by acting as intermediaries between citizens, donors, and institutions. It highlights the importance of trust-building, adaptive support, and long-term presence in contexts where civic infrastructure is still developing, showing how even small-scale initiatives can catalyse broader community engagement and local philanthropy.
Building a SDG community of practice among community foundations
This reflection explores how community foundations can build a shared “community of practice” around the SDGs. It highlights how participatory learning and peer exchange can shift perceptions, helping foundations connect their local work to global challenges and adopt a whole-organisation approach to embedding the SDGs in strategy, operations and partnerships.
Conectarea funda iilor comunitare la Obiectivele de Dezvoltare Durabila (ODD)
This guide explores how community foundations can use the SDGs as a practical framework to strengthen their work. It demonstrates how aligning mission, strategy, investments and daily operations with the SDGs can enhance impact, build partnerships and position community foundations as key connectors between local action and global goals.
PEX Philanthropy Resilience Building
This storybook captures reflections from a series of scenario-thinking sessions exploring how philanthropy support organisations can strengthen resilience in uncertain contexts. Through visual insights and collective reflection, it highlights the importance of collaboration, adaptive leadership and ecosystem thinking. The publication encourages readers to engage with possible futures and consider how philanthropy can move beyond reactive responses towards more strategic, systemic and collaborative approaches.
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.
