With the window of opportunity narrowing to deal with a multitude of problems in both Europe and the world as a whole, the 2023 Philea Forum provided a critical opportunity for nearly 700 philanthropy and civil society professionals to come together to find new ways of collaborating to find solutions.

Hosted by the Croatian National Foundation for Civil Society Development, the 2023 Philea Forum presented many wide-ranging conversations which encapsulated several common concepts and themes. Additionally, over the course of the Forum, Philea released two new reports: the sixth edition of Enivronmental Funding by European Foundations and Arts and Culture at the Core of Philanthropy, the second volume of Philea’s study into European philanthropic funding of arts and culture.

‘We know there is a lot we need to do, that we need to do it better, and do it faster, but we know that a better tomorrow is possible if we do it together. A Europe we want for the world we need’ said Delphine Moralis, CEO of Philea.

Throughout the Forum, democracy was identified as a key urgent area of action, both in the context of climate as well as the war in Ukraine. The theme of democracy appeared in several sessions which included two that were solely dedicated to this issue, with the conversations ranging from enabling philanthropy with policymakers to how creativity and the arts can and should be intrinsic to rethinking and shaping democracy. The climate emergency also emerged as a common thread during the Forum, with 88 per cent of participants surveyed indicating that more needed to be done at an EU level to address this area of concern.

An ever-present theme over the course of the week was the development and evolution of the relationship between funders and their partners; participants sought out new ways to engage in participatory grantmaking, address power imbalances, and listen to partners. Participants were also keen to highlight the importance that they place on trust-based giving, participatory approaches, and flexible funding through the identification of these themes as the top priority for philanthropy among the attendees.

The final common theme of the Forum was human rights and equality, which were named as essential elements of solutions to each and every one of the crises that Europe and the world are currently facing.

Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President for Democracy and Demography, European Commission said: ‘We have just passed through a devastating pandemic and are experiencing war on European soil again. Given the challenges that we face, in an increasingly uncertain world, it is vital that we deliver & leave no-one behind’.

One of the key elements of the Forum was youth participation, highlighted by the panel of young civil society activists who closed the conference with a discussion around their unique experiences as engaged youth, as well as how philanthropy can and should support youth.

Cvjetana Plavsa-Matic, Director, National Foundation for Civil Society Development – Croatia noted that ‘the Philea Forum has been very important to create new opportunities for the development of our sector as well as to contribute to the improvement of philanthropy at national level.’

Philea nurtures a diverse and inclusive ecosystem of foundations, philanthropic organisations and networks in over 30 countries that work for the common good, uniting over 10,000 public-benefit foundations that seek to improve life for people and communities in Europe and around the world.

Simon Hungin is a freelance writer that supports Alliance magazine.