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.
ECFI CFSO Meeting 2022: The Future Is Local and Releasing the Power of Local
This presentation summarises discussions from ECFI’s Community Foundation Support Organisation meetings in Brussels in December 2022. It explores the value of place-based philanthropy, the role of support organisations and the conditions needed for stronger national and international collaboration. The presentation also captures reflections on ECFI’s activities, priorities for the field, ways to increase engagement and practical ideas for strengthening relationships, knowledge exchange and the wider visibility of community foundations.
Creating the standards of the Federation of Community Foundations in Poland
This blog describes how the Federation of Community Foundations in Poland revised its membership standards to reflect the changing needs of the field. It traces the Federation’s development, its growing national role and the influence of international learning on the new framework. The article also explores two key debates: whether endowment capital should remain a membership requirement and whether organisations using community foundation principles should be eligible to join even without formally identifying as community foundations.
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.
