Underlining the need to remove obstacles to cross-border working

More than 90 people attended the seminar on cross-border philanthropy in Europe, organized by the Academy of European Law (ERA), the European Foundation Centre (EFC), King Baudouin Foundation, Fondation Fournier-Majoie and Transnational Giving Europe, which explored the barriers foundations face when working across borders and reviewed the latest legal and fiscal developments and possible solutions.

According to Gerry Salole, CEO of the EFC, who opened the seminar, the philanthropic sector represents a €320 billion industry in Europe. So significant an economic entity should have the working conditions that its importance merits.

Jacques Barrot, vice president of the European Commission, under whose patronage the seminar took place, acknowledged the difficulties that philanthropic organizations face when working across borders and affirmed that the European Commission is ready to help to overcome those problems. He recognized the importance of the sector in economic terms and in employment creation, and the essential role foundations play, especially in the current economic situation, in supporting key sectors such as research and development and innovation. He also underlined the importance of cross-border work in an era when the problems to be tackled are seldom confined to one country.

During the seminar, experts and practitioners, as well as representatives of the foundation sector, gave concrete examples of how existing barriers hamper philanthropy and the work of foundations in different fields such as arts, education, research and development, and social development.  

The European Foundation Statute was hailed by all participants as the best legal option to improve the current situation. The importance of urging the European Commission to launch the impact study needed to continue the process of developing the statute was also stressed.

Regarding fiscal issues, Tina Tukic, from the European Commission, summarized as its priorities the elimination of discrimination against charities and charitable donations, through a combination of infringement procedures and coordination. She said that a positive development was the growth of non-discriminatory treatment in member states and concluded by expressing her hope of concrete results from the coordination method. In the meanwhile, infringement procedures will continue to be used.

The seminar was closed by Manuel Medina Ortega, former MEP and chair of the Friends of ERA, who spoke of his conviction of the need for a legal framework for foundations at European level. In his view, he said, it was the only way for foundations to achieve their full potential and impact.

Rosa Gallego is chairperson of DAFNE and deputy manager of the Spanish Association of Foundations. Email rgallego@fundaciones.org

Event Seminar on Cross-Border Philanthropy in Europe
Date 9 December 2009
Venue Brussels, Belgium
Organizer The Academy of European Law

For more information
www.era.int