Today, the European Foundation Centre (EFC) and the Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (Dafne) have officially become one organisation: Philea. The new philanthropy network will ‘harness the immense multi-dimensional potential of philanthropy in Europe,’ Philea said.

‘Philanthropy in Europe plays a unique, risk-taking role in sparking innovation and acting as a catalyst for good,’ said Delphine Moralis, current CEO of EFC and incoming CEO of Philea. ‘Together we are stronger, and will strive to inspire, connect and represent the European philanthropy sector and enhance its role as a credible and trustworthy partner, today and tomorrow.’

The EFC conference in Vienna in October 2021 – just before the convergence with Dafne. The new organisation’s next conference will take place in Barcelona in May.

The new network will nurture an ecosystem of philanthropic organisations and support networks in over 30 countries that work for the common good. It will unite more than 10,000 public-benefit foundations that seek to improve life for people and communities in Europe and around the world.

‘Philea’s values reflect a commitment to the principles of trust, collaboration, transparency, innovation, inclusion and diversity – all of which are needed now more than ever considering the critical challenges our societies are facing’, said Max von Abendroth, current Executive Director of Dafne and incoming Chief Strategy Officer of Philea.

The association will be under the Board presidency of Angel Font, Corporate Director of Research and Health at “la Caixa” Foundation, and current Chair of the Board of the EFC; and the vice-presidency of Carola Carazzone, Secretary General of Assifero, and current Chair of the Board of Dafne.

With members based across Europe and the world, the secretariat of Philea will remain at Philanthropy House in Brussels, where Dafne and the EFC are currently housed, along with several other philanthropy networks and organisations.

The first annual conference of Philea will take place in Barcelona in May 2022.

Read more: Alliance Editor Charles Keidan reflects on what the launch of Philea means for European Philanthropy.