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.
#AllIn2019, Community Foundations of Canada conference – Views from four European participants
The #AllIn2019 Community Foundations of Canada Conference brought together over 700 delegates—including nine from Europe—to explore belonging, leadership, and the future of philanthropy. Through honest dialogue and diverse voices, participants reflected on inclusion, youth engagement, and rethinking power dynamics in community work. European attendees shared insights on how Canadian experiences—such as the Vital Signs approach, endowment building, and Indigenous-led initiatives—can inspire greater trust, collaboration, and social justice in their own contexts. The event strengthened transatlantic connections and a shared sense of belonging within the global community foundation movement.
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 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.
Hungary uncovered… Community Foundation Conference in Budapest
The Community Foundation Conference – Hungary Uncovered (Budapest, 2018) brought together over 70 participants from Hungary and Germany to explore the role of community foundations in a challenging civic environment. Despite concerns about social fragmentation and declining trust, the event showcased the vitality of Hungarian initiatives in Budapest, Pécs, and Miskolc. These foundations mobilised hundreds of volunteers, local institutions, and donors, strengthening civic life and demonstrating that community-led philanthropy can build resilience and hope even in restrictive conditions.
Vital Signs – one step at a time
The Vital Signs approach helps community foundations use data to identify local needs and guide action for stronger, more connected communities. By combining research and civic dialogue, it supports foundations in taking on leadership roles and fostering collaboration with citizens, authorities, and donors. In Germany, the concept is being introduced through pilot meetings and studies, aiming to inspire data-driven philanthropy and link local efforts to the Sustainable Development Goals.
