Empowering young people as active participants and decision-makers in community foundations
“Our collective future depends on the investment in young people, our activism, and our vision for what is possible.” Elevate Children Funders Group’s vision and mission. This report reflects on the proceedings of the first meeting of the ECFI Youth Involvement Thematic Path, which will lead to an in-person gathering in Ghent from September 11th to 13th, organised in partnership with StreekFonds Oost Vlanderen, Ghent, Belgium.
Fostering the Active Engagement and Civic Participation of Young People: Community Foundation Exchange Report
This exchange report shares learning from a peer visit between Sibiu Community Foundation and Assifero, joined by several Italian community foundations and youth-focused organisations. It explores how community foundations can involve young people in local action, organisational leadership and decision-making. The report highlights practical examples, including Future Chair, MIRACHALLENGE and the Urban Leadership Academy, while reflecting on youth brain drain, intergenerational spaces, shared ownership and the need to treat young people as active community participants.
The regeneration of our communities through community foundations and the SDGs
This publication positions community foundations as key actors in regenerating communities by aligning local action with the SDGs. Using the Raimat Lleida Community Foundation as an example, it shows how regeneration can be operationalised through interconnected focus areas such as social action, culture, innovation, and environmental sustainability. By mobilising local actors, fostering leadership, and building cross-sector partnerships, community foundations create collaborative systems that strengthen resilience, support local economies, and enable long-term, place-based transformation.
2023 exchanges bring a youthful dynamic
This piece shows how CF2CF exchanges are injecting new energy into the community foundation field, particularly through youth engagement and cross-border collaboration. Romania’s dynamic ecosystem plays a central role, offering models for fundraising, leadership, and civic participation. The exchanges connect organisations across Europe to share practices, co-develop projects, and address overlooked issues such as rural marginalisation. A strong focus is placed on intergenerational cooperation, helping younger actors step into leadership while drawing on the experience of older generations.
Community engagement: a crucial issue for community foundations
How can community foundations build lasting relationships with the people they serve? This Learning Lab paper explores the principles of community engagement, highlights the importance of involving young people in decision-making, and presents practical examples from Italy, including Youth Banks and the National Civic Service, as tools for strengthening civic participation and local philanthropy.
Stronger together: How community foundations in Italy are collaborating to tackle educational disadvantages among young people and their families
This blog shows how community foundations in Italy collaborate across regions to tackle educational disadvantage among children and families. Through joint projects, partnerships, and innovative approaches such as personal empowerment funds, they combine local knowledge with national coordination to create long-term educational and social impact.
#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.
