Explore the future of fundraising learning at the EFA Learning Symposium

From 31 May to 1 June in Berlin, fundraising professionals from across Europe and beyond will gather for the EFA Learning Symposium 2026 — a unique opportunity to explore the future of fundraising leadership, learning, and professional development.

This year’s programme brings together leading experts, researchers, consultants, and practitioners to discuss how we build a stronger, more effective fundraising profession in Europe.

The symposium opens with a keynote from Bill Stanczykiewicz of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. In “Philanthropy, Passion & Resilience,” Stanczykiewicz will explore how philanthropy continues to strengthen communities, improve lives, and promote justice during challenging times, while highlighting the latest findings of the Global Philanthropy Environment Index, with a special focus on Europe

A strong focus throughout the symposium is the future of fundraising education and capacity building. Giedrė Šopaitė of Baltic Fundraising Hub will present a structured, competency-based approach to assessing and developing fundraising capacity in her session “Assessing Fundraising Competencies: From Intuition to Strategic Team Development.” Drawing on Lithuania’s national programme, participants will gain practical tools for identifying strengths, addressing gaps, and aligning teams with strategic goals.

Questions around learning and professional development continue in sessions led by Nele Theuer of BIBB and Heike Kraack-Tichy of emcra. Theuer’s workshop, “Challenges And Potentials Of Education In Fundraising” will explore findings from the study “Education and Training in the German Fundraising Sector”, encouraging participants to reflect on how educational needs are changing across the profession and the developments required to meet them. Kraack-Tichy’s interactive session, “Should I Forget What I Know? Rethinking How Fundraisers Learn,” will explore the evolving demands on fundraisers and the skills, mindsets, and formats needed to stay effective in a rapidly changing world. It will also challenge traditional approaches to professional development, asking what still works — and what doesn’t.

Leadership and recruitment are also key themes. In “Who Is Leading Fundraising In A Charity? Who Is Delivering Service To Charity Clients? Recruiting Insights” Jeanette Eesmann-Foster, Zoe Oldham, and moderator Pia Tornikoski will share recruitment insights into the skills and knowledge fundraising leaders need to succeed in today’s evolving nonprofit landscape.

Finally, Mary O’Kennedy and Martin Georgi will present findings from a Europe-wide EUConsult study in “Bridging The Gap Through Learning: Aligning Consultant Skills With Nonprofit Needs,” examining how consultancy skills and training can better support nonprofit organisations in a rapidly changing environment.

If you influence fundraising talent, strategy, or professional development, this Symposium is for you, offering valuable opportunities to learn, connect, and shape the future of the sector.

Find out more and register here.