31st EFC Annual General Assembly and Conference

| Sector Event | Vienna
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Overview

The 31st EFC AGA and Conference 2020 will take place in Vienna on 20-22 May with the theme "Foundations and the new normal - How to innovate philanthropy?", and will be hosted by ERSTE Stiftung.

The EFC took the difficult decision to postpone its 31st AGA and Conference, which was due to take place in Vienna from 20-22 May 2020 with the theme "Foundations and the new normal - How to innovate philanthropy?".

The postponed AGA and Conference in Vienna will now take place on 3-5 June, 2021.

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Conference theme - Changing contexts have brought about a "New Normal"

The last decade has seen momentous changes as well as gradual developments in Europe that have deeply altered the contexts - economic, political, societal and environmental - in which philanthropy carries out its activities as an essential part of civil society, in particular as a bridge to the public and private sectors. In essence, we need to determine why and how foundations can matter today, and what philanthropy can offer in specific terms under particular circumstances to innovate, create and move open, democratic, liberal and caring societies in Europe and beyond.

The 4 thematic tracks - Climate / Democracy / Society / Philanthropy

To begin to answer these questions in light of the changed contexts in which we find ourselves, this year’s EFC annual conference will feature a new format. The discussions will be focused within 4 tracks dealing with the key and most urgent issues facing society and the community of philanthropic foundations. These tracks, which will run parallel throughout the conference, will be moderated by an expert who is widely recognised in the field, and each will consider the four underlying themes of culture, digital agenda, education and civic engagement.

Short, targeted contributions

In contrast to previous years, we will not feature distinct speaker panels, but rather short (15 - 30 min.) interventions topical to the tracks as outlined above. These interventions can be in the form of an expert speaking on a specific aspect of the track; testimonials from a particularly successful (or unsuccessful) project or foundation action; or other important facts, events, research etc. that can inform the general discussion and shed light on the way we as philanthropic organisations will be able to face and shape the New Normal.