Fundraising qualifications in France & Switzerland receive EFA accreditation

Fundraising education programmes in France and Switzerland have received recognition from the European Fundraising Association, underscoring their commitment to excellence, innovation, and professional standards across the sector.

In France, the Association Française des Fundraisers (AFF) has secured re-certification of its Certificat Français du Fundraising (CFF) under the Standard Competence Framework for the seventh time.

Commenting, Yaële Aferiat, director of the AFF, said the renewed certification of the programme, which is delivered in partnership with the ESSEC Philanthropy Chair, was a significant recognition of the quality and relevance of the programme at an international level, and strengthens its legitimacy within a network of leading European organisations committed to excellence in fundraising education.

She added:

“This renewal also reflects the AFF’s ongoing commitment to evolve alongside the sector. As fundraising continues to transform in an increasingly complex and demanding environment, new professional profiles are emerging. Fundraisers today need to combine strong strategic thinking with advanced relational skills, to navigate the growing role of data and technologies such as AI, and demonstrate resilience in a rapidly changing world. Throughout these changes, we remain deeply committed to placing ethics and meaningful human relationships at the core of our approach. This certification highlights both the strength of our programme in a competitive landscape and our dedication to continuous improvement.”

In Switzerland, the Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) Fundraising Management has achieved re-certification for the fifth time, alongside a first-time certification of the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) Fundraising Management under the Advanced Competence Framework. The MAS programme is the only Swiss course accredited at this advanced level and is designed for professionals and managers who wish to assume responsibility in fundraising or prepare specifically for such a role. Both are delivered by the ZHAW Center for Arts Management in partnership with Swissfundraising.

The certification committee praised the Swiss Advanced programme, noting:
“Overall, the programme represents a model of excellence in advanced professional education, combining academic rigour, ethical awareness, and practical relevance. Continuous improvement through stakeholder feedback and international benchmarking further reinforces its commitment to quality and innovation.”

Prof. Dr. Leticia Labaronne, head of the Centre for Arts Management and head of the DAS and MAS Fundraising Management Programme commented on the importance of the recognition, saying:

“We are extremely proud that our fundraising programme — the only fundraising education programme in Switzerland to hold EFA accreditation — has been accredited by the European Fundraising Association since 2012. This renewed recognition of our Fundraising Diploma under the Standard Framework, together with the Fundraising Master Programme’s new certification under the distinguished Advanced Framework, reflects our long-standing commitment to excellence, innovation, and the highest international standards in fundraising education.”

EFA Certification

EFA’s Standard and Advanced frameworks define core competencies and provide structured guidance for education and practice. The EFA Certification Standard Competence Framework has been providing fundraisers with a professional qualification that is recognised both across Europe and internationally since 2007. EFA introduced the Advanced Competence Framework in 2022, which focuses specifically on the competencies and skills required for leading and managing a successful, contemporary fundraising organization.

With 14 accredited courses currently across Europe, the latest certifications reinforce the growing emphasis on high-quality, internationally benchmarked training for fundraising professionals.

Committee chair Pia Tornikoski commented:

“Fundraising as a profession varies across countries, and EFA’s Standard and Advanced Frameworks emphasise core competencies shared across the continent while allowing the flexibility to adapt programmes to national contexts.

“Reviewing the certification applications is both a rewarding task and a learning experience for committee members. I am glad that through the wide expertise of the committee we are also able to support and guide applicants during the process.”