Advanced Competence Framework – revised & restructured

EFA Certification is a European framework for national fundraising qualifications that supports fundraising associations across the continent to develop qualifications that share a common core syllabus and competencies, while reflecting their own cultural, economic and geographic contexts.

The Advanced Competence Framework launched in 2022 to guide training providers in equipping fundraisers with the advanced knowledge, skills, and strategic capabilities required for leadership and management roles within fundraising organisations.

It has now been revised and updated to reflect the changes that have taken place in fundraising since its launch, including the increased awareness of equity and diversity (and power and privilege) in philanthropy and fundraising, developments in fundraising ethics, and the emergence of artificial intelligence. The Framework has also been substantially restructured to provide clearer differentiation between ‘leadership’ and ‘management’.

New supplementary material

In addition, EFA has launched Developing Learning Outcomes: A Practical Guide Aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) . Developed to support the delivery of Advanced level professional fundraising education, it provides guidance on how to draft, review, and document learning outcomes in a consistent, auditable, and learner-centred way, aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

Eduard Marček, EFA executive director says:

“In today’s increasingly complex and demanding environment, fundraising has never been more critical to organisational success, with the need for high-quality professional development and strong leadership more pressing than ever as a result.

“Together, the updated Advanced Competence Framework and the new supplementary guide provide a robust foundation for training providers to design and deliver leadership programmes that equip fundraisers with the skills, confidence, and strategic insight they need to lead effectively, now and into the future, whilst sitting within the shared European framework of the EQF. This is essential for strengthening both the fundraising profession and fundraising standards, across national contexts and Europe as a whole.”

Webinar launch

EFA officially launched the Advanced Framework during an EFA Certification Webinar on Thursday, 19 March.

During the session, Ian MacQuillin, director of international fundraising think tank Rogare and member of the EFA Certification Committee, outlined the key updates and new components of the Framework, including alternative pathways adapted to different educational levels.

Victoria McQuaid, qualifications manager at the UK’s Chartered Institute of Fundraising and EFA Certification committee member, introduced the new guidance: Developing Learning Outcomes: A Practical Guide Aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

Learning Symposium

For those influencing fundraising talent, strategy, or professional development, the EFA Learning Symposium 2026 takes place on 31 May – 1 June, in Berlin. Organised by EFA and hosted by the Deutscher Fundraising Verband (DFRV), the event will bring together Europe’s leading thinkers, educators, certification experts, and senior practitioners to address one central question: why professional fundraising education is no longer optional — but strategic. More information here.

The event is particularly relevant for organisations delivering, developing, or accrediting fundraising education programmes across Europe.

What’s new

EFA’s certification scheme – the first European qualification framework for fundraising when launched in 2007 – enables fundraising associations to develop qualifications that share a common core syllabus and competencies, while reflecting their own cultural, economic and geographic contexts. The Advanced Competence Framework was launched in 2022 and has been revised to reflect the changes that have taken place in fundraising since then, including the increased awareness of equity and diversity (and power and privilege) in philanthropy and fundraising, developments in fundraising ethics, and the emergence of artificial intelligence.

As well as being updated with new competencies and content, the Framework has been substantially restructured. A central focus is fundraising leadership with clear differentiation between ‘leadership’ and ‘management’. The Framework is intended to support existing fundraising leaders and managers, and to identify and develop the next generation – especially leaders – across all the European fundraising professions.

In addition to the updated Advanced Competence Framework, EFA is also launching “Developing Learning Outcomes: A Practical Guide Aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)”. Developed to support members in creating new fundraising qualifications, it provides guidance on how to draft, review, and document learning outcomes in a consistent, auditable, and learner-centred way, aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

During the session, Ian MacQuillin will outline the key updates and new components of the Framework, including alternative pathways adapted to different educational levels, and Victoria McQuaid will introduce “Developing Learning Outcomes: A Practical Guide Aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)”.

Get familiar with the webinar recording and materials:

• Presentation Ian MacQuillin
• Presentation Victoria McQuaid
• Presentation Pia Tornikoski
• EFA Advanced Competence Framework
• Developing Learning Outcomes: A Practical Guide Aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
• Applying for EFA Certification

Starting on 25 April with dinner and a celebration of Finnish fundraising association VaLa’s 20^th anniversary, the Symposium then saw a full day of talks and workshops on 26 April, led by members of EFA’s Certification Committee and other expert consultants and trainers.

VaLa’s Pia Tornikoski & Tessa Robertsson

The programme took attendees through updates on EFA’s Standard and Advanced Frameworks, as well as insights into how to effectively launch and sustain fundraising educational pathways and build networks for effective collaboration. It also included an overview of the environment for fundraising and philanthropy in Finland and the role of fundraising education in helping nonprofits overcome the challenges, delivered by Ari Inkinen, director of administration at SOSTE.

Collaboration a key theme

Collaboration was a key theme of the Symposium, with Charities Institute Ireland’s Annelies Coghan discussing its role in improving fundraising practices, and why facilitating the sharing of materials and trainers is pivotal for fostering knowledge exchange and helping organisations get started with certified programmes. She also shared how the CII is working to encourage more fundraisers in Ireland to take its certificate and diploma.

In his session, consultant and trainer Timo Järvensivu presented ideas on how to create and manage vibrant strategic networks, including daily practice and strategic steps for successful management, and different types of networks and their pros and cons. His book on the topic is free to download: Managing (in) Networks – Learning, Working and Leading Together.

Shared experiences

Group discussion at the EFA Certification Symposium

Sessions also shared the experiences of a fundraiser that has benefitted from professional fundraising education, and of an educational provider.

Katariina Schmidt, partnerships manager at The Association of Friends of the University Children’s Hospitals, and Kummit / EFA Certification alumni talked about her personal journey to becoming a fundraising leader. Later, VaLa’s educational partner Rastor Institute provided an overview of how to start a good and qualified educational programme, including their experiences: from planning the course content, to aligning with EFA’s criteria, launching, and awarding their first certificates.

EFA Certification Frameworks – support & updates

Providing information on the EFA Certification process, Janet Phillips, from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and part of the EFA Certification Committee, took attendees through the stages to becoming EFA Certified, the support the Committee offers, and its plans for developing this further.

EFA Certification Committee

A workshop with Andrea Caracciolo di Feroleto and Francesca Lucci, ASSIF / EFA Certification Committee, was aimed at those already running a certified course. It focused on providing insights into key success factors for optimising educational programmes, as well as stumbling blocks to be avoided.

Moving on to the EFA Advanced Framework, the Committee’s Ian MacQuillin (Rogare) talked attendees through the plans for revision, the rationale behind this, and the new inclusions EFA plans to incorporate, including EDI and AI. This work has already begun and will be completed in 2025. It was also announced that the committee is working on ideas for some shorter educational modules, and to help with cross-national collaboration of lecturers and providers.

Chair of the EFA Certification Committee Paul Dalby then took a further look at the Advanced Framework, this time to discuss its role in promoting leadership.

The Symposium concluded with reflections on takeaways from the day by Dalby and Pia Tornikoski, secretary general of VaLa.

Commenting, Certification Committee chair Dalby, said: “EFA Certification is on the move to meet the challenges of changing philanthropy and the differing needs of different countries looking for quality fundraising education.”

To find out more about EFA Certification, click here.

Committee members & attendees – 2024 Certification Symposium

The full programme is now available, and offers a broad range of topics of interest to those already running EFA Certified programmes, those considering applying for EFA Certification, and anyone with an interest in developing and improving fundraising education.

The Symposium starts on the evening of April 25 with a welcome dinner and celebration of Finnish fundraising association VaLa’s 20th anniversary. Following this, April 26 is a full day of sessions and workshops led by members of EFA’s Certification Committee and other expert consultants and trainers.

The Symposium programme

Morning sessions

• Elevate your career: the transformative impact of professional fundraising education with Katariina Schmidt, Partnerships Manager, The Association of Friends of the University Children’s Hospitals / EFA Certification Alumni.
• Exploring the fundraising landscape in Finland: insights from SOSTE’s social impact, with Ari Inkinen, Director of Adminstration at SOSTE
• Streamlining your process to professional fundraising certification, with Janet Phillips, Chartered Institute of Fundraising / EFA Certification Committee
• Broadening perspectives: sharing resources and expertise for enhanced fundraising practices, with Annelies Coghlan, Charities Institute Ireland / EFA Certification Committee
• Launching & sustaining fundraising educational pathways: Workshop 1 – Setting the foundations for excellence, with Liisa Ylikojola, Rastor Institute and Soile Bar-Josef, VaLa Finnish Fundraising Association / EFA Certification Committee; Workshop 2 – Optimizing certified programmes: strategies for sustainable success, with Andrea Caracciolo di Feroleto and Francesca Lucci, ASSIF / EFA Certification Committee

Afternoon sessions

• Evolving practices: updates and insights on fundraising leadership frameworks. Part 1 – Rationale and revisions: updating the advanced fundraising framework, with Ian MacQuillin, Rogare / EFA Certification Committee; Part 2 – Defining leadership within the evolving fundraising landscape, with Paul Dalby, Chair, EFA Certification Committee
• Building vibrant strategic networks: tactics for effective collaboration, with Timo Järvensivu, Consultant and Trainer
• Reflecting on insights: synthesizing key takeaways and charting the future, with Pia Tornikoski, Secretary General, VaLa Finnish Fundraising Association, and Paul Dalby, Chair, EFA Certification Committee

More detail on these sessions, and booking information can be found here.

Picture by

The programme offers a broad range of topics for discussion, which will be of interest to those who are already running EFA Certified programmes, those who are considering applying for EFA Certification, and anyone else with an interest in developing and improving fundraising education.

The Symposium starts on the evening of the 25 April with a welcome dinner and celebration of Finnish fundraising association VaLa’s 20th anniversary. Following this, the 26 April is a full day of sessions and workshops led by members of EFA’s Certification Committee and other expert consultants and trainers. These will cover everything from an in-depth look at EFA’s Advanced Framework, first launched in 2022; to launching and sustaining fundraising educational pathways; and how to build vibrant strategic networks for effective collaboration.

Sessions include: Streamlining your process to certified fundraising certification; Broadening perspectives: sharing resources and expertise for enhanced fundraising practices; and Evolving practices: updates and insights on fundraising leadership frameworks. There are also workshops on launching and sustaining fundraising educational pathways, focusing both on setting a programme up, and optimising existing certified programmes.

Dates and booking

The event takes place on 25-26 April, in Helsinki, Finland, and registration is open until 17 April.

The full programme and booking details can be found here.

Paul Dalby, chair of the EFA Certification Committee commented:

“The Certification Symposium is always a popular and dynamic event with a programme full of inspiration, and this year is no exception. It provides a valuable opportunity to find out more about EFA Certification and what it offers, to learn how to both develop and maintain a successful, certified programme for fundraisers, and of course to network, and enjoy the beautiful city of Helsinki! I would urge anyone with an interest in developing and improving fundraising education to join us.”

Picture by Tapio Haaja on Pexels

The EFA Certification Symposium is back for 2024 and this year takes place on 25-26 April in Helsinki, Finland, with the topic: Developing and Improving Fundraising Education in Europe: Sharing best practices and insights from fundraising education research.

The Symposium starts with a welcome dinner and celebration of Finnish fundraising association VaLa’s 20^th anniversary on the evening of 25 April. Following this, the 26 April will see a full day of sessions and workshops led by members of EFA’s Certification Committee and other expert consultants and trainers, covering everything from an in-depth look at EFA’s Advanced Framework, first launched in 2022; to launching and sustaining fundraising educational pathways; and how to build vibrant strategic networks for effective collaboration.

EFA Certification Symposium 2024 Programme

Venue: The venue for the event is SOSTE in Helsinki, Finland.

Hotel accommodation is available at special rates for Symposium participants (10 minute walk to the venue)

Hotel Fabian (subject to availability): EUR 125 for a double room for single occupancy and EUR 145 for double occupancy, both including breakfast. Click here to book at the special rate.

The deadline for booking hotel accommodation at the above special rates is 4 April 2024. Bookings can be cancelled free of charge up to 72h before arrival. For cancellations made after this date or for no-shows, the hotel will charge the full amount for the first night.

Registration: The registration deadline is: 17 April. Please register here:

With nonprofits across Europe facing intensifying pressures, from recruitment difficulties to financial uncertainty, and challenges to the civic space, the AGA saw EFA reaffirm its top priorities for 2023-2025. These are to be the collective voice for Europe’s fundraising community, and to advocate for the ongoing development and professionalisation of the European fundraising sector.

In line with these priorities, the Board will recruit a director in 2024.

President of EFA Charlotte Rydh explained:

“With the challenges faced nonprofits right across Europe exerting ever more pressure, EFA’s role as the voice of the fundraising community has never been more important. To take us to the next level of our development, it’s time for us to expand. Appointing a part-time director will provide us with valuable additional expertise and propel us forward on this next stage of our journey.”

Further details on this process will be announced in due course.

Board and Committee changes

EFA’s September AGA also saw two new Board members appointed: Laurence Lepetit (France générosités), and Francesca Lucci (ASSIF), with vice president Jan Gregor and chair of the Public Affairs Committee Simona Biancu stepping down. Lepetit will focus on EFA Public Affairs, while Lucci joins the EFA Certification Committee. Siri Nodland (Fundraising Norge) was re-elected, and will focus on Membership.

Charlotte Rydh, Scott Kelley, Paul Laird, and Larissa Probst remain in post for another term.

The full EFA Board is as follows:

Charlotte Rydh – President

Scott Kelley – Treasurer

Laurence Lepetit – Public Affairs

Siri Nodland – Membership

Paul Laird – Communications

Larissa Probst – Strategic Partnerships

Francesca Lucci – Certification Committee

The EFA Certification Committee was further bolstered with the appointments of Soile Bar-Yosef (VaLa), and Annelies Coghlan (Charities Institute Ireland). In addition, Janet Phillips (Chartered Institute of Fundraising) has joined the committee this year and Paul Dalby (Deutscher Verband Fundraising) was confirmed as chair. Paul will also join the Board as a co-opted member when needed.

More on EFA’s Skillshare here.

Among those present were representatives from member organisations in 13 countries, including Fundraisers Forum (Belgium) and France générosités, who have both joined in recent months.

The Members’ Meeting started with an introduction from president Charlotte Rydh before the floor was given to attendees to share the top current issues for their organisations and civil society in their countries. Commonly shared issues included shrinking civic space, changing legislation at national and EU level, and the recruitment and retention of fundraisers at all levels.

Attendees then heard board members share their strategic plans for EFA and present short reviews of current public affairs issues, partnership opportunities, communications, and the Certification programme.

Charlotte Rydh, EFA president commented:

“Meetings like these are an important way for us to keep up to date with the key issues our members are facing, and we will follow up on some of these at September’s Skillshare. They’re also a great opportunity for members to meet and widen their network, and of course for EFA to share our own strategic plans and priorities. It was wonderful to see so many attend.”

This year’s Skillshare and AGA will take place in Prague on 21-22 September, with more details to follow soon.

All seven EFA board members met in Stockholm in March, hosted by president Charlotte Rydh at the Giva Sverige office. The in-person meeting also included the appointment of Larissa Probst as board member in charge of strategic partnerships, and discussions on partnership plans; updates on EFA’s public affairs and certification work; and a strategy workshop.

L-R: Charlotte Rydh, EFA President; Simona Biancu, Chair, Public Affairs Working Group; Jan Gregor, EFA Vice-President; Scott Kelley, EFA Treasurer; Paul Laird, EFA Communications; Larissa Probst, EFA Strategic Partnerships; Siri Nodland, Chair, EFA Certification Committee

Focus areas discussed in the workshop included EFA’s roles as a strong voice for the fundraising community in Brussels and across Europe, in strengthening professional fundraising, and as a data hub for sharing knowledge. The board also discussed how EFA can achieve sustainable and increased funding which is necessary to become a stronger voice for the fundraising community.

Key updates from the board

Board meeting presentations saw EFA Public Affairs Working Group chair Simona Biancu give a report on the group’s activities, including plans to publish a number of position papers on key topics with the help of working group member Patrick Gibbels.

Jan Gregor, EFA vice president and board member in charge of membership, reported on the progress being made on plans for this year’s Skillshare, which will be held in Prague on 21-22 September. The date was also set for the Digital European Tour. This will take place from 10-13.00 CET on 15 November, with more details on both events to follow in due course.

Siri Nodland, EFA Certification Committee chair, updated board members on the committee’s work. This currently includes evaluating a number of Re-Certification applications; looking at ways to attract more member countries to apply for EFA Certification; finding new members to join the committee to replace those completing their terms; and looking ahead to the next EFA Certification Symposium.

Paul Laird, who was appointed to the EFA Board last November, with responsibility for communications, presented details on the continuing support from EFA’s communications partner Turner PR, as well as items from EFA’s communications plan. This includes setting up an editorial group comprised of communications officers from EFA member organisations to facilitate the sharing of news and spokespeople for articles.

Election committee

Finding new members to join the EFA board and Certification committee to replace those completing their terms was also discussed, and an Election committee has now been formed to assist the board with this process. This comprises of former EFA board members Ceri Edwards (UK), Eduard Marček (Slovakia), and Astrid von Soosten (Germany). Proposals for new board members are welcomed – these can now be sent to Denise Dawes and will be put to the new committee.

Members’ meeting

The members’ meeting will take place on 12 May. Speaking on the plans, Rydh commented:

“The upcoming members’ meeting is part of our strategy to focus on strengthening communications with EFA member representatives, so that they in turn can better communicate with and support their members. It will also provide us with valuable feedback, both on how we can better serve our members and attract new ones to the EFA community.”

Picture by Jan  Židlický on Pexels