EFA Certification Symposium, Helsinki, 25-26 April 2024
January 15, 2024
EFA New Advanced Competence Framework Webinar: Opportunities for Training Providers
February 25, 2026
31 May – 1 June 2026 | Berlin Congress Center (bcc), Germany
The Future of Fundraising Leadership Starts Here
What skills will define the next generation of fundraising leaders?
How does professional education translate into measurable income growth?
And how will fundraisers learn in an era shaped by technology, data, and changing donor expectations?
The EFA Learning Symposium 2026, organised by the European Fundraising Association and hosted by the Deutscher Fundraising Verband (DFRV), brings 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.
What We Will Explore
Through expert presentations and structured discussions, the Symposium will examine:
- The skills and knowledge future fundraising leaders need
- The impact of professional fundraisers on organisational income
- Why education drives performance
- Barriers to professional education
This is a working symposium designed for serious exchange — not passive listening.
Who Should Attend
- Fundraising education providers
- Certification bodies and programme partners
- International NGOs and charity employers
- Fundraising service providers
- Leaders shaping professional standards in Europe
- EFA member organisations
If you influence fundraising talent, strategy, or professional development, this conversation concerns you.
Programme Overview
- Sunday, 31 May 2026 | Congress Dinner (18:30)
- Monday, 1 June 2026 | Symposium sessions (10:00–16:00)
Confirmed Speakers
Jeanette Eesmann-Foster
Mindwize (NL)
Heike Kraack-Tichy
emcra (DE)
Bill Stanczykiewicz
Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (US)
Giedrė Šopaitė
Baltic Fundraising Hub (LT)
Pia Tornikoski
VaLa (FI)
More speakers and details on the programme coming soon.
Participation Options
- EFA Learning Symposium | 31 May – 1 June 2026 | €200
- Symposium + German Fundraising Congress | 31 May – 3 June 2026 | €795
Venue | Berlin Congress Center (bcc), Berlin (open 09:00–18:00)
Accomodation | Explore hotels near the venue
Registration
Secure your place via this registration link.
Professionalisation is reshaping fundraising across Europe.
The question is not whether education matters — but how to design it to maximise impact.
Join the debate in Berlin.
