ERNOP to publish cross-national mapping of philanthropy in Europe

Next month (March) will see the European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP) publish Philanthropy in Europe: a comprehensive cross-national mapping of philanthropic giving across Europe.

Bringing together nearly 50 researchers and covering 20 European countries, the volume maps research and data on donations by households, bequests, corporations, foundations and independent charity lotteries.

As well as mapping giving, the study also assesses data quality, representativeness, and methodological approaches across countries, finding that while philanthropy represents a substantial and diverse contribution to European societies, there are structural gaps in how this activity is measured and understood. Some countries, ERNOP found, maintain robust and representative data systems and others have just fragmented surveys or partial estimates.

Commenting, Barry Hoolwerf, director of ERNOP and co-editor of the volume, said:

“At a time when European societies face profound uncertainty, private initiative is increasingly expected to contribute to the common good. Yet we cannot responsibly debate the role of philanthropy without understanding its scale, structure, and limits. Europe does not lack philanthropic commitment. What it lacks is a shared and durable system to understand it. Strengthening Europe’s philanthropic data infrastructure is essential for informed public debate and sound policy.”

Public webinar

Philanthropy in Europe will be pre-released to ERNOP members on 3 March with a free public webinar taking place on 24 March, at 3PM-4PM CET. Editors Barry Hoolwerf and Johan Vamstad will present the main insights and discuss implications for research, policy, and practice. Sevda Kilicalp (head of knowledge & learning, Philea), Charlotte Rydh (EFA board member and CEO of Giva Sverige) and Malcolm Fleming (president, Association of Charity Lotteries in Europe) will reflect on the findings in a moderated panel discussion.

Philanthropy in Europe will be made available as an Open Access publication.

Registration for the free public webinar is open here (capacity is limited).

Main picture: by Hartono Creative Studio for Unsplash+