Promoting enabling frameworks for philanthropy

Ninety-four percent of Philea’s PIO members stated that one of their key functions is engagement in national level policy. Their key advocacy activities include: representing the sector, highlighting the role of philanthropy in society, working towards a favourable legal and fiscal environment for philanthropy, and promoting a culture of giving.

Engagement in national level policy

PIOs advocate for enabling fiscal, legal and other frameworks to unlock more philanthropy at the national level by:

Building a more conducive framework for public-benefit foundations
Growing recognition of philanthropic foundations and autonomy of foundations
Advocating for tax incentives and improving legal frameworks to enable and encourage philanthropic giving
Countering foreign agent laws
Enabling impact investment
Providing clearer VAT guidance on public-benefit donations
Advocating for broader enabling environments, civic space, freedom of association and assembly
Working towards easier access to financial services
Avoiding over-regulation: Advocating around risk-based approaches at national level and the implementation of Anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML & CFT) rules
Advocating for the reduction of bureaucracy and red tape
Unlocking public funding for civil society

EU-level policy and international policy linked to national policy

Philea works closely with its PIO members on EU-level policy, particularly through the work of its Legal Affairs Committee. The collaboration between Philea and the PIOs is essential for effective advocacy, as EU policy is shaped by the Member States, and national laws largely implement EU or international legislation and policies.

Areas of joint action around EU policy include:

Philea’s European Philanthropy Manifesto aimed at unlocking cross-border giving and the Single Market for Philanthropy, and the EU Civil Society Strategy
Defense of Democracy Package, rights-based advocacy, transparency standards, forward-looking philanthropy models
EU policy and international (FATF) policy on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML & CFT)
More enabling environment around VAT
Public Procurement

Legal Affairs Committee

Philea's Legal Affairs Committee (LAC) consists of legal and public affairs experts from Philea members, composed of both national associations and foundations, across Europe.

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European Philanthropy Manifesto

The European Philanthropy Manifesto, which calls for a Single Market for Philanthropy and Public Good, acts as a roadmap for our policy and advocacy work.