Alliance Online - June 2008

Conference aims to boost philanthropy in Luxembourg

Etienne Eichenberger

EVENT Seizing the opportunity for philanthropy in Luxembourg
Date 23 April
Venue Luxembourg
Organizer Banque de Luxembourg

As the first national event devoted entirely to philanthropy, the ‘Seizing the opportunity for philanthropy in Luxembourg’ conference on 23 April provided a forum for discussion on ways of boosting individual and corporate engagement in Luxembourg at a time when philanthropy is seeing an unprecedented rise in interest in Europe.

Initiated by Banque de Luxembourg and under the Esteemed Patronage of Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess, the event attracted over 20 European experts and 350 participants, representing leaders from philanthropy, the private sector, civil society and government. It was decisive in promoting dialogue between players in Luxembourg and spurring action on a national level.

‘Philanthropy has seen an unprecedented rise in interest in the past few years. We have experienced this first-hand with clients using our philanthropy advisory services. With this conference, we want to give the Luxembourg philanthropy sector an opportunity to discuss, together with experts from around Europe, the best way to boost individual and corporate engagement in projects and actions for the public good,’ said Pierre Ahlborn of Banque de Luxembourg.

Jacques Santer, Honorary Minister of State and former President of the European Commission, believes that ‘with the rise in public-private partnerships, it is important to ensure that the existing environment is adapted to reflect the new ways that private and corporate players are engaging in charitable initiatives. This conference has been an opportunity to raise awareness amongst the public authorities and define a common objective for meeting the challenges.’

The way forward

One out of ten people in employment in Belgium works in the charity sector; three new public utility foundations are created every day in Germany; in 2007, 54 per cent of British people made a donation to a charity. But, said Marc Pfitzer of FSG Social Impact Advisors, ‘while individual and corporate philanthropy is seeing renewed impetus in Europe, Luxembourg has not yet participated in this. And yet there is potential for the country to make a significant contribution. Luxembourg’s international outlook, its flexibility and ability to create partnerships, combined with the expertise of its banking sector, mean it has a unique role to play in the European philanthropy scene.’

FSG Social Impact Advisors’ discussions with a number of key players in Luxembourg have highlighted three main priorities for the country:

• the establishment of a benchmark organization similar to the King Baudouin Foundation (Belgium), Charities Aid Foundation(UK) and Fondation de France to advise donors and guide them in their choice of projects and beneficiary organizations that they wish to support;
• an overhaul of the existing tax and legislative landscape – similar reforms in other European countries have borne fruit’ as seen in the favourable reaction of donors to tax breaks;
• more information and awareness for individuals and companies on their role in financing charitable projects.

Clear political support

In his opening speech to the conference, Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker declared: ‘It is time for Luxembourg to develop a real philanthropic policy.’ He also announced the government’s aim of heading up an initiative to provide Luxembourg with an umbrella structure for the philanthropy sector that will take the form of a new public utility foundation. He also confirmed that a complete review of the legal and tax framework for charitable donations will be undertaken to provide the country with the tools to develop philanthropic engagement, and requested proposals to be submitted by 22 May 2008.

Etienne Eichenberger is co-founder, wise partnership. Email etienne.eichenberger@wise.net

For more information
www.philanthropie.lu

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