Mar 04, 3019

Recent political developments are threatening civic space in Europe. Foundations are stepping forward to defend itThis year marks three decades since the establishment of the European Foundation Centre (EFC), as well as the fall of the Berlin Wall. Given what Europe was going through in 1989, and the ups and downs it has encountered in the 30 years since, it is quite something to observe that the political situation has never been more complicated – or precarious – than it is today.Institutional philanthropy is an integral part of civil society and many foundations work on ensuring an independent, active and flourishing civil society space. The whole ecosystem depends on the freedom to act and the ability to respond to current trends affecting this space. Alliance Issue: Systems Change, March 2019, Volume 24 , Number 1

Sep 03, 2019

At $2.8 billion per year, human rights funding amounts to 5 percent of all giving. Yet the very idea of the open, liberal, and democratic society underpinned by respect for human rights is under attack and refugees, people of colour, LGBT individuals and groups, women's rights and environmental activists and individuals or groups denied basic economic and social rights – all those that human rights legislation protects – are in the firing line. The September 2019 issue of Alliance highlights the eco-system of liberal funders and activists throwing everything at stemming the tide. Adrian Arena takes us inside the Oak Foundation's human rights programme, Selmin Caliskan discusses OSF's exile to Berlin, and Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri explains why funding for economic and social rights should be prioritised. Alliance Issue: Human rights philanthropy; September 2019, Volume 24, Number 3

Sep 03, 2019

Two key influences on the philanthropy of Hans Schöpflin, co-founder of the Schöpflin Foundation, have been his experience of living in the US and, more importantly, the death of his son from a heroin overdose. The first led him to reject what he sees as the broken American political system, the second has given a philosophical and practical dimension to his work. He and Tim Göbel, the foundation's executive director, talk to Charles Keidan about Schöpflin's commitment to democracy promotion, drug prevention and what they see as the responsibility of Germany's foundation sector to stand up for migrants and refugees and challenge far-right political movements. Alliance Issue: Human rights philanthropy; September 2019, Volume 24, Number 3

Sep 03, 2019

The potential advantages of far-reaching collaboration underpinned AVPN's conference in Singapore. But it is a virtue more often preached than practised.Underlying all the themes at the recent AVPN conference in Singapore was the idea of partnership and collaboration. It was almost a leitmotif of the whole proceedings and was present by implication in the conference's overall aim – breaking the boundaries between social and more mainstream finance and encouraging cooperation along what AVPN calls the continuum of capital in pursuit of social goals. What the conference also showed, however, is that collaboration is a virtue more often preached than practised. Yet, the advantages appear self-evident – greater concentration of funding on key areas, a greater pool of expertise and experience to draw on. Alliance Issue: Human rights philanthropy; September 2019, Volume 24, Number 3

Sep 03, 2019

It's time for philanthropy in western Europe to take action on its own doorstep to protect democracy and civil society from a restrictive onslaughtIn recent years, the philanthropic sector has experienced many examples of measures that are restrictive to democracy and civil society. A decrease in public funding, legislation that regulates the non-profit sector, detention of activists, curtailment of public assembly – all are symptoms of the so-called democratic and civic 'shrinking space'. This is not just something happening on another continent or to our neighbours, it is happening on our doorstep. Numerous examples illustrate the situation. In France, the corruption monitoring association Sherpa had its status as a civil party in court cases removed. In the UK, 'gagging clauses' in the Transparency in Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act have resulted in anti-advocacy clauses in public grant agreements. In Germany, a major court case is questioning the sphere of charitable activity, with a chilling effect on what might be perceived as anything too political. Alliance Issue: Human rights philanthropy; September 2019, Volume 24, Number 3

Sep 03, 2019

The call for an enabling environment from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) may prove a milestone for giving in EuropeThe first European Economic and Social Committee Opinion entirely dedicated to philanthropy comes at a crucial time and sets the tone for philanthropy-related debates throughout the new mandate of the European Parliament and Commission. At a time when core values such as democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights are being challenged in some Member States, philanthropy has a crucial role to play alongside wider civil society to defend our core values. Alliance Issue: Human rights philanthropy; September 2019, Volume 24, Number 3

Sep 03, 2019

Almost as great as the outpouring to restore the cathedral of Notre-Dame has been the flood of controversy it has unleashedOn 15 April this year, a major fire broke out in Notre-Dame cathedral in the very heart of Paris. That same evening, French president Emmanuel Macron announced the launch of a national subscription to rebuild this gem of French history and heritage.No more than 24 hours later, €850 million had already been pledged by a handful of billionaires, either in their names or through their companies or foundations. At the same time, Fondation de France was one of the four organisations charged by the French government with raising funds for Notre-Dame. As international media coverage was massive, donations also came from all over the world. Alliance Issue: Human rights philanthropy; September 2019, Volume 24, Number 3

Jun 04, 2019

Peace-related philanthropy, at less than 1 percent of all grantmaking, seems irresponsibly small given that armed conflict has spoils lives, divides societies and ruins economies.This issue of Alliance goes in search of philanthropy's role in peaceful development. Guest edited by a new generation of philanthropy practitioners, Lauren Bradford (Candid), Rasha Sansur (Dalia Association) and Hope Lyons (Rockefeller Brothers Fund) share their hopes for the future and discuss ways to open up the field to new voices and partners.The issue also highlights findings from a landmark survey of peace philanthropy. It discusses whether the UN and the Sustainable Development Goals can give new impetus to peace-building, the role of community philanthropy in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Palestine, and the need to re-think existing peace and security paradigms. Alliance Issue: Peace building; June 2019; Volume 24; Number 2