BUILDING THE COMMUNITY
We want members to have a sense of belonging to a mutually reinforcing community, and to come together around key agendas for people and planet.
We connect our members to each other and to relevant actors in other sectors for inspiration and joint action. A key channel for this is our Thematic Networks, groups of Philea members that come together around a theme of common interest. We support these networks in whatever they would like to do, and we facilitate the creation of new networks based on members’ interests.
Thematic Networks
More than 100 Philea members are involved in the governance of 15 Philea Thematic Networks. In 2024 these networks organised 7 large-scale events across Europe, 2 of which brought together over 100 participants each (KoneKtor and the Research Forum), in addition to a number of cross-thematic conversations between democracy and gender equality; democracy and food systems; and arts, culture and environment. The networks held 10 sessions at the 2024 Philea Forum as well as various satellite events including 3 “first-timers”, i.e. the first in-person meeting of the Philanthropy for Climate signatories; the first panel exchange on foundations working with cities on ensuring a just transition towards climate neutrality; as well as the launch of the Funders International Network on Development.
CLIMATE
EU Cities Mission
In response to the growing appetite of our members to engage with cities, we trialled a two-year pilot programme around the EU Cities Mission, the European Framework shaping the transition to climate neutrality of 100 cities selected by the European Commission. As a result, a strategic partnership with Climate-KIC as well as a structured engagement with city representatives emerged, with interested foundations joining the “Philanthropy Talks - Transition Pills” webinar series on just transition at urban level.
European Funders For Sustainable Agriculture and Food
2024 was pivotal for the European Funders for Sustainable Agriculture and Food (EFSAF), marked by an updated Theory of Transformation (ToT); a growing number of funders engaged through cross-thematic conversations on democracy; and a greater consolidation of the dialogue with CSOs to collectively transform food and farming systems in Europe.
European Environmental Funders Group
Since its establishment, the European Environmental Funders Group (EEFG) has witnessed the emergence and growth of numerous funder networks tackling climate and environmental challenges. In response to this evolving landscape, in 2024 the EEFG went through a comprehensive strategic review to redefine its identity as a community and knowledge & action hub.
European Philanthropy Coalition for Climate
The European Philanthropy Coalition for Climate (Climate Coalition) organised the first European convening of Philanthropy for Climate signatories, where participants exchanged around the implementation of their climate commitments. To inspire other philanthropic organisations to act, the Climate Coalition also released a publication illustrating how foundations, regardless of size or focus area, are integrating climate considerations into their investments.
DEMOCRACY
Democracy Network
Our Democracy Network developed an “allow list” of projects to fund ahead of the European elections in 2024, a year referred to as “election year” with over 60 countries going to the polls. The network grew in its role as a connector for democracy funders and a platform to share learnings around funding democracy. Throughout the year it increased its efforts to bring non-democracy funders into the fold by commissioning a strong evidence-based case for why more funders should invest in democracy.
KoneKtor - Philanthropy East Forum
The 2024 KoneKtor - Philanthropy East Forum brought more than 130 participants to Prague to discuss "Dialogue, Democracy and Diversity". The event tackled polarisation, fractured communities and distrust, emphasising philanthropy's role in fostering cohesion, bridging divides and innovating connections in turbulent times.
Journalism Funders Forum
The Journalism Funders Forum (JFF) grew in its role as a connector for funders in the field, and as a platform to share learnings around funding journalism. The year saw an increased number of funders at the in-person gathering in Amsterdam, during the webinars and through subscribers to the “Journalism Funders Confidential” newsletter. By showcasing the value of journalism to funders in other fields, non-journalism funders are increasingly getting involved.
EQUALITY
Children and Youth Network
Some of our networks aim at sharing expertise from funders to advance specific agendas, striving to make philanthropy a more equitable sector. The Children and Youth Network produced a peer-learning journey focused on how to involve children and young people in foundations’ projects and organisations. The network published key insights, recommendations and recordings from this initiative to inspire other philanthropic organisations.
Migration Network
Founded in 2006, in 2024 we undertook a listening tour of our members to discuss the status, relevance and potential future of the network. With 2025 being the Year of Equality for Philea, we explored ways in which this critical topic for funders can be better linked to topics such as democracy and climate.
Disability Network
Our Disability Network aims at mainstreaming disability within foundations’ work and programmes. In 2024 it partnered with our Funders Forum on Sustainable Cities to organise a 3-day gathering in Madrid around how to build more inclusive and just spaces. The event showcased funders’ experiences at the intersection of sustainability, accessibility, inclusion and just transition in the context of urban development, and it included site visits to the best examples of urban and accessible buildings in the area.
Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Network
In 2024 the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Network (GEDI) convened to continue its work of inspiring foundation representatives to advance gender equality by enabling them to design and implement gender-responsive initiatives effectively. Across the year, the network organised a three-module peer learning series entitled “Empowering Foundations for Gender Equality.”
TRANSVERSAL
Arts and Culture Funders Forum
Exploring the intersections between arts, culture and the environment through online conversations and gatherings in Venice and Zagreb, the Arts and Culture Funders Forum developed the EcoArts Nexus, an online knowledge repository divided into 15 categories with a growing database of over 250 best practices.
Funders International Network for Development
After two years of incubation, 2024 saw the launch of a new funder’s collaborative: the Funders International Network for Development (FIND). FIND is bringing together foundations through a peer-learning journey on “Evolving Practices of International Cooperation”, which is dedicated to reimagining traditional philanthropy for building partnerships on the African continent and globally. It will also engage in a dialogue with the European Commission (International Partnerships) to explore co-funding instruments.
Funders Forum on Sustainable Cities
In addition to the joint event exploring how philanthropy can advance sustainable and inclusive work in cities (see the Equality section above), the Funders Forum on Sustainable Cities published five case studies in a series entitled “Cities of Tomorrow” which showcases effective philanthropic involvement in cities.
Research Forum
Our Research Forum organised its renowned biennial conference tackling innovation as a topic for the first time and bringing together over 100 participants in Milan. “Breaking Bad (Habits)” explored how foundations can shape future innovation ecosystems, moving away from silos. The conference was covered both by Alliance magazine and VITA.
