european consortium of foundations on human rights and disability

EUROPEAN CONSORTIUM OF FOUNDATIONSON HUMAN RIGHTS AND DISABILITY2009-2011 ACTIVITY REPORT

CONTENTS.Introduction. 3Foreword. 3Why the Convention matters?. 4Who we are. 5Our goal. 5Our objectives. 5Members. 6Essl Foundation (Austria). 6Fondation de France (France). 6Fondazione Banca del Monte di Lucca (Italy). 6Fondazione Cassa Risparmio di Torino (Italy). 6Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (Portugal) . 7Fundación ONCE (Spain). 7Sabanci Foundation (Turkey) . 7The Atlantic Philanthropies (Ireland). 7Achievements. 8Implementation <strong>of</strong> the UN Convention. 8Implementation <strong>of</strong> the EU Disability Strategy 2010-2020 11Optimising the use <strong>of</strong> EU funding. 12Mainstreaming disability in advocacy work. 13Outreach. 142009-2011 ACTIVITY REPORTEuropean Consortium <strong>of</strong> Foundations on Human Rights and Disability

FOREWORDWhen the European Consortium <strong>of</strong> Foundations on Human Rights and Disabilitywas launched in 2009, no one doubted the immense challenge that lay ahead<strong>of</strong> this group as it sought to convince European governments and other relevantstakeholders to commit to the ratification and implementation <strong>of</strong> the UN Conventionon Rights <strong>of</strong> People with Disabilities - the first legally-binding treaty recognisingthe human rights <strong>of</strong> people with disabilities.INTRODUCTIONThe Consortium provided <strong>foundations</strong> already active in the field <strong>of</strong> disability or humanrights with a unique opportunity to influence the shape and speed <strong>of</strong> a longoverdue reform process on disability. It was also a chance for <strong>foundations</strong> workingwith a variety <strong>of</strong> population groups, from the elderly to women and migrants toapply their expertise in this emerging field <strong>of</strong> disability.Three years since its launch, I am greatly pleased to see the considerable stridesand achievements made by the Consortium, which clearly shows how <strong>foundations</strong> can add significant value andfill the gaps left by governments, NGOs and other actors in implementing the Convention. This report charts thiswork and highlights the key priorities set and milestones met by the Consortium – Let me mention just a few <strong>of</strong>these. One is the launch <strong>of</strong> the Consortium’s first operational project - the ‘League <strong>of</strong> Historical Accessible Cities’ - t<strong>of</strong>ind innovative solutions to improving the accessibility <strong>of</strong> historical towns by working in partnership with variousEuropean <strong>foundations</strong> and local authorities. By focusing equally on improving accessibility while at the same timepreserving historical heritage, the collaboration has been an undoubted success.Another important piece <strong>of</strong> work was the publication <strong>of</strong> the “Study on the challenges and good practices in the implementation<strong>of</strong> the UN Convention”. I am pleased to see that our analyses and recommendations have contributedto shaping the European debate about the strategic direction and dynamics <strong>of</strong> European disability law reform, andmore concretely the new European Disability Strategy 2010-2020. The Consortium thus far has been a productivepartnership, which serves as an example <strong>of</strong> how to develop a more strategic engagement between EU institutionsand <strong>foundations</strong>.I am fully convinced that given the current economic crisis we must double our efforts to improve our efficiencyand efficacy and working together will be more necessary than ever. With the Consortium, we have demonstratedthat setting up partnerships among <strong>foundations</strong> and other organisations can create leverage, making moreefficient use <strong>of</strong> our finances, expertise and time. Pooling resources combines strength and capacity, enabling usto gather and process information, identify grantees and deploy funds faster than would have been possible asindividual entities.Miguel Angel Cabra de LunaCo-Chair <strong>of</strong> the European Consortium <strong>of</strong> Foundations on Human Rights and People with DisabilitiesDirector for Social Relations and International Affairs, Fundación ONCE3

Why the Convention matters?The UN Convention on the Rights <strong>of</strong> Persons with Disabilities is the first human rights treaty<strong>of</strong> the 21st century which cleverly combines civil and political rights, as well as economic,social and cultural rights with the overarching theory <strong>of</strong> non-discrimination. Up untilthe Convention, human rights had not been a framework in which to consider disability.Instead, a mixture <strong>of</strong> social policies, charity and paternalism was adopted, which maintainedthe status quo rather than providing equal rights to people with disabilities. That allchanged with Convention, which clearly moved the question <strong>of</strong> disability to the core <strong>of</strong> theUN human rights agenda.The Convention refers to the “universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness<strong>of</strong> all human rights and fundamental freedoms”, a paradigm first affirmed by the 1993Vienna World Conference on Human Rights. The inclusion <strong>of</strong> this wording signals a “coming<strong>of</strong> age” in human rights standard-setting, not just within the area <strong>of</strong> disability rights, but more generally in the development<strong>of</strong> international standards in equality and human rights law.A number <strong>of</strong> elements in the Convention are worth highlighting. One is the explicit reference to equality, which goesmuch further than equality before the law, equal treatment and equal opportunity, and corresponds with best modernpractices such as those developed in the EU on equal participation <strong>of</strong> people with disabilities. This is a remarkable breakthroughconsidering that no previous UN Conventions mention equality, opting instead for non-discrimination wording.The Convention also emphasises the importance <strong>of</strong> mainstreaming disability issues within relevant strategies for sustainabledevelopment that seek to cover the rights <strong>of</strong> other vulnerable groups. While this may sound familiar to a policyexpert in the field, this principle has not been explicit in human rights law. It suggests a modern understanding <strong>of</strong> “humanagency” and the related issue <strong>of</strong> legal capacity while at the same time stressing individual autonomy and independence.This is a welcome departure from the traditional image <strong>of</strong> the “victim” denoted in earlier human rights law.Recognising the complex, multi-layered nature <strong>of</strong> discrimination is another significant element <strong>of</strong> the Convention, whichreflects current efforts by anti-discrimination lawyers, particularly in the EU, to codify prohibitions against multiple instances<strong>of</strong> discrimination. The Convention makes a helpful link between the enjoyment <strong>of</strong> human rights and the eradication<strong>of</strong> poverty, and in this regard recognises the critical need to address the negative impact <strong>of</strong> poverty on persons withdisabilities and other vulnerable groups.New ground is also broken in terms <strong>of</strong> who is legally bound by the Convention. While EC law on discrimination has alwayscovered private parties (as it derives from employment law), the question is not as straightforward in human rights law.The Convention makes explicit that the State is obliged ”to take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination onthe basis <strong>of</strong> disability by any person, organisation or private enterprise.”While progressive and significant, none <strong>of</strong> the abovementioned can be in any way meaningful without one last, vital element<strong>of</strong> the Convention, namely that EU and public authorities ”closely consult with and actively involve persons withdisabilities”. This shows that the Convention respects the mantra “Nothing about us, without us”, and as you will see in thisreport, it is also something that the Consortium applies rigorously to all its activities.Hywel Ceri JonesCo-Chair <strong>of</strong> the European Consortium <strong>of</strong> Foundations on Human Rights and Disability2009-2011 ACTIVITY REPORTEuropean Consortium <strong>of</strong> Foundations on Human Rights and Disability

INTRODUCTIONWHO WE AREThe EFC European Consortium <strong>of</strong> Foundations on Human Rights and Disability (Hereafter referred to as the “Consortium”)brings together funders and other stakeholders committed to promoting the implementation <strong>of</strong> the UN Convention <strong>of</strong>the Rights <strong>of</strong> People with Disabilities (Hereafter referred to as the “Convention”). After the Convention’s entry into force in2008, a group <strong>of</strong> <strong>foundations</strong> led by Fundación ONCE responded by forming a Consortium which was launched during anevent held at the European Parliament in April 2009.OUR GOALTo breathe life and vigour into the application <strong>of</strong> the UN Convention in Europe; and to mobilise the foundation sector toplay a catalytic role in ensuring that European governments and other relevant stakeholders commit to and support boththe ratification and implementation <strong>of</strong> the Convention.OUR OBJECTIVESThe Consortium’s activities are divided into four areas:1. Foster the effective implementation <strong>of</strong> the UN Convention at European and national level through monitoring,awareness raising and capacity-building <strong>of</strong> legal pr<strong>of</strong>essionals2. Ensure the implementation <strong>of</strong> the European Disability Strategy 2010-20203. Optimise the use <strong>of</strong> EU funding in support <strong>of</strong> the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, notably for accessibilityand non-discrimination4. Mainstream disability issues and focus within <strong>foundations</strong>’ work and programmesConsortium launch at the EuropeanParliament in May 20095

Zero Project Conferencein Vienna (Austria) inJanuary 2012ZERO PROJECTACHIEVEMENTSThe Consortium collaborated with the EsslFoundation in the “2012 Zero Project Report”and its predecessor the “2010 Social Index PilotStudy”. This annual study aims to give a picture<strong>of</strong> the implementation <strong>of</strong> the Conventionin Europe. The methodology is based on socialindicators assessed (using a survey) by a network<strong>of</strong> experts from national NGOs, <strong>foundations</strong>,universities, among others. The result is a completeoverview <strong>of</strong> the legal situation and living conditions <strong>of</strong>people with disabilities in 36 countries. Examples <strong>of</strong> goodpractices and policies have been included in the latest edition.The full 2012 report and an ongoing compilation <strong>of</strong> good practices andgood policies are available from www.zeroproject.org.The Consortium also participated in the “International Conference on Good Policies for Disabled People”, held in Vienna onJanuary 2012 and organised by the Essl Foundation, the World Future Council and Bank Austria within the framework <strong>of</strong>the Zero Project. This high-level event gathered over 240 international decision-makers and experts on accessibility, NGOand foundation representatives, academics and disability rights activists to discuss the internationally exemplary aspects<strong>of</strong> eight previously selected “Good Policies”. These policies focused on accessibility, inclusive education, supported decision-makingand access to justice and were selected by a scientific advisory board in a carefully designed research andevaluation process.Impact: Identification <strong>of</strong> good practices and connecting implementation efforts at national and local levels.MAINSTREAMING DISABILITY IN ADVOCACY WORKThe Consortium focused on bringing a disability perspective to broader EU advocacy framework, within the EFC, namely it:• Contributed to work within the framework <strong>of</strong> 2012 European Year <strong>of</strong> Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations.The League <strong>of</strong> Historical and Accessible Cities project was included in a Roadmap drafted by a coalition<strong>of</strong> stakeholders, including the EFC, whose aim is to work together to bring about an age-friendly European Unionby 2020• Contributed to EC public consultation on the future EU “Accessibility Act” (February 2012)• Chaired a panel discussion at a forum on the implementation <strong>of</strong> the Convention organised by the European Commission(October 2011)9

Consortium meeting inFundación ONCE in Madrid(Spain) in November 2011• Presented on behalf <strong>of</strong> the European Commission,the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 during theInternational Conference <strong>of</strong> Accessibility (Turin, June2011), organised by Fondazione CRT with the GlobalPartnership for Disability and Development (GPDD) andthe World Bank• Contributed to EC public consultation on “EU Citizens’ Rights – The way forward” (June 2010)• Contributed to EC consultation on the European Disability Strategy (January 2010)• Contributed to dissemination work within the framework <strong>of</strong> 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and SocialExclusion: The material supplied by the Consortium was used in the Year’s <strong>of</strong>ficial press packImpact: Ensuring that disability is taken into consideration by European decision making.INTERACTION WITH EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONSThe Consortium also played a very active role at European level by its regular interaction with the European Commission,European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee. It also regularly attended:• European Parliament Disability Intergroup meetings• Disability conferences organised by the European Commission under each presidency <strong>of</strong> the EU• Events organised around the European Day <strong>of</strong> People with Disabilities (3 December)Impact: Raising the voice and pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> the sector and work <strong>of</strong> <strong>foundations</strong> in the field among Brussels-based decision-makers.BUILDING CAPACITY AMONG LEGAL PROFESSIONALSDespite their crucial role, legal pr<strong>of</strong>essionals are too <strong>of</strong>ten side-lined from the debate on the practical implementation <strong>of</strong>the Convention. The Consortium aims to guarantee a legal protection for people with disabilities by signing co-operationagreements with the European associations <strong>of</strong> notaries, magistrates and public prosecutors. A common feature <strong>of</strong> theseagreements is the organisation <strong>of</strong> training modules and dissemination activities.One <strong>of</strong> the major milestones for the Consortium has been its collaboration with the European Academy <strong>of</strong> Law (ERA) Foundation,with whom they won a European Commission tender to organise a series conferences to train legal pr<strong>of</strong>essionalson the disability law and the Convention. To date, five seminars have been held with an attendance <strong>of</strong> some 250 participantsfrom more than 30 countries, targetting:• Legal pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and policy makers (May 2011, Trier)• Members <strong>of</strong> the judiciary ( June and October 2011,Trier)• University pr<strong>of</strong>essors and teachers (December 2011, Madrid)• Legal pr<strong>of</strong>essionals and policy makers (February 2012, Trier)Impact: Enhancing the level <strong>of</strong> legal protection available to people with disabilities, raising standards across the EU andensuring that the Convention is correctly applied and understood.2009-2011 ACTIVITY REPORTEuropean Consortium <strong>of</strong> Foundations on Human Rights and Disability

HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCESGlobal Forum on Accessible Citiesorganised by Fondazione CRTin Turin (Italy) in June 2011A further achievement has been the organisation <strong>of</strong> three high-level seminarsfor experts at the European Economic and Social Committee, to provide policymakers and legislators with clarification and solutions to issues emergingfrom the various articles <strong>of</strong> Convention, namely:ACHIEVEMENTS• Article 12 deals with the legal capacity <strong>of</strong> persons with disabilities andpotentially one <strong>of</strong> the more difficult elements to put into practice• Article 33 requires every signatory country to establish an implementingbody; the composition, tasks and capacities <strong>of</strong> which varies fromcountry to country• Article 27 addresses reasonable accommodation in the workplaceEach <strong>of</strong> the three events was attended by around 80 disability experts frommore than 25 countries.Impact: Spotlight on the practical implications <strong>of</strong> implementing the Convention at EU and Member State level and recognitionby the European Commission <strong>of</strong> the valuable contribution from <strong>foundations</strong>.OBJECTIVE 2: Ensure the implementation<strong>of</strong> the European Disability Strategy with aspecial focus on accessibilityLEAGUE OF HISTORICAL AND ACCESSIBLE CITIES (LHAC)The League <strong>of</strong> Historical and Accessible Cities aims to increase the social inclusion and active participation <strong>of</strong> people withdisabilities in society through improved access to historical and cultural heritage. Established in 2010, the League is thefirst operational project <strong>of</strong> the Consortium and in line with its commitment and willingness to provide a concrete contributionto the implementation <strong>of</strong> the European Disability Strategy. The project focuses on putting forward innovativesolutions that reconcile the protection <strong>of</strong> cultural heritage and wider access to historical attractions - one <strong>of</strong> the biggestchallenges in Europe regarding accessibility.Eight <strong>foundations</strong> in four countries across Europe are participating in the initiative in partnership with local authorities,disability groups, architects and city planning experts. Together they are developing tourist itineraries that accessible forall (including people with disabilities, the elderly and children) in the centre <strong>of</strong> a historical city <strong>of</strong> their choice.Thus far, Fondazione Banca Monte di Lucca is working with Lucca, Italy; Fondazione CRT with Turin, Italy; Fondation Réunicawith Mulhouse, France; Realdania, Bevica Foundation, the Labour Market Holiday Fund and the Danish Disability Foundationwith Viborg, Denmark; and Fundación ONCE with Avila, Spain. The latter was the first-ever winner <strong>of</strong> the EuropeanCommission Award for Accessible Cities.For more information: www.lhac.eu11

Accessible entrance tothe medieval wallsin Avila (Spain)In addition to the League, the Consortium organised numerous meetings (includingvisits to members’ projects), produced newsletters, and web tools (includingthe dedicated disabilities platform within the Ariadne human rights webportal), which allowed best practices to be shared and information exchanged. Thisfed into the debate at European level and promoted at national level the other sevenareas for action defined within the Strategy (namely participation, equality, employment,education and training, health and social protection and external action).A Consortium position paper on the future <strong>of</strong> European Accessibility Law is due by the end <strong>of</strong> 2012. This document willcall for new European legislation on accessibility; ensuring persons with disabilities have equal access to the services andgoods available on the European market and to establish European standards.Impact: Increasing awareness <strong>of</strong> accessibility issues and the need for a standardisation process at European level; Influencegained and support won for the creation <strong>of</strong> the European Accessibility Act.OBJECTIVE 3: Optimise the use <strong>of</strong> EU funding insupport <strong>of</strong> the European Disability Strategy2010-2020 for accessibility and non-discriminationSTRUCTURAL FUNDS CAMPAIGNThe Consortium monitored and sought to influence the new draft regulations on the Structural Funds 2014 - 2020,raising awareness among Commission and Member States’ <strong>of</strong>ficials and members <strong>of</strong> the European Parliament <strong>of</strong> theobligations deriving from the Convention with regards to Structural Funds legislation.• The Consortium was involved in a workshop at the European Parliament to raise awareness <strong>of</strong> the importance <strong>of</strong>including a disability perspective in the new Structural Funds legislation (May 2012).• The Consortium participated in the seminar held by the Regional Office for Europe <strong>of</strong> the UN High Commissionerfor Human Rights (OHCHR) on the Convention and EU Structural Funds (May 2012).• The EFC joined a coalition <strong>of</strong> European NGOs to call upon the EU decision makers to uphold the general ex-anteconditionalities regarding non-discrimination, gender equality on Structural Funds legislative package for 2014-2020 (May 2012).• The Consortium prepared a position paper on the impact <strong>of</strong> the Cohesion Policy and Structural Funds on disabilityafter 2013. Reflecting the Consortium’s position on the topic, these documents aim to raise awareness among<strong>foundations</strong> <strong>of</strong> the threats to funding for people with disabilities due to cuts to the Structural Funds and <strong>of</strong>fersome guidelines to influence Cohesion Policy.• A dedicated session “Structural Funds: A leveraging tool for <strong>foundations</strong>” is being organised at the EFC’s AnnualGeneral Assembly (AGA) and Conference in Belfast (June 2012).Impact: Influencing the formulation <strong>of</strong> criteria for new EU regulations governing the period 2014-2020 to ensure thatthey take into account the obligations and commitments <strong>of</strong> the Convention at EU and Member State level. The overallobjectives are 1) that the new EU regulations dedicate targetted funds for the implementation <strong>of</strong> the Convention and 2)to optimise the use <strong>of</strong> EU funding as an instrument to promote accessibility and non-discrimination.2009-2011 ACTIVITY REPORTEuropean Consortium <strong>of</strong> Foundations on Human Rights and Disability

OBJECTIVE 4: Mainstream disabilitywithin the foundation sectorACHIEVEMENTSKEY EVENTSThe goal is to promote disability and Consortium initiatives at various fora and through other funders’ platforms:• “Learning through collaboration: Going beyond regional borders” session on <strong>foundations</strong>’ issue-based and geographic-basedcollaborative experiences at the Grantmakers East Forum in Riga (October 2011)• Participation in the Grantmakers East Forum in Georgia (October 2010) promoting the idea <strong>of</strong> adopting a disabilitylens for <strong>foundations</strong> working in Central and Eastern Europe and promoting the Consortium’s work.• “Advocacy in the framework <strong>of</strong> Europe: How to influence policy making” panel hosted by Filiz Bikmen (SabancıFoundation) on behalf <strong>of</strong> the Consortium, to raise the group’s visibility and mainstream disability issues during theEFC AGA and Conference in Brussels (May 2010)COMMUNICATION TOOLS• Regular e-newsletters on the Consortium’s activities and other disability related topics• “Apply a disability lens to your foundation’s work” leaflet to raise awareness about theConvention among <strong>foundations</strong> and the general public• Promotional video <strong>of</strong> the Consortium’s work released in English and Portuguese (withsubtitles)• Updating and restructuring pages on the EFC website relating to the Disability InterestGroup, Consortium and League• Creation and management <strong>of</strong> the designated disability community in the AriadneFunders Network• Articles in publications:“First EFC operational project making headway”, Alliance vol. 16 n. 3 (September2011):”Structural Funds framework under review”, Effect vol. 5 issue 2 (Autumn 2011)“In a league <strong>of</strong> its own”, EFC website (June 2011)”Public-private partnership to open historical city centre to all”, Effect vol. 5 Issue1 (Spring 2011).“Promoting the UN Convention on Rights <strong>of</strong> Persons with Disabilities at EU level and beyond”, Effect vol. 4issue 1 (Spring 2010)Impact: Engaging with human rights foundation community to work on disability and support the implementation <strong>of</strong> theConvention; increased awareness among funders that disability is a human rights issue.13

© European Union, 2012OUTREACHSince its creation, the Consortium has established a solid network <strong>of</strong> connections with EU institutions, Disabled People’sOrganisation (DPOs) and other stakeholders within the field <strong>of</strong> disability. During the period 2009-2012, the Consortiumsigned partnership agreements with:• Academy <strong>of</strong> European Law Foundation (ERA)• European Agency for Development in Special Needs• European Disability Forum (EDF)• European Union Board <strong>of</strong> Notaries• Fundación Justicia en el mundo de la Unión Internacional de Magistrados• MED-EL, a hearing implant companyRelations were also strengthened with other European stakeholders such as:• Assembly <strong>of</strong> European Regions (AER)• Eurocities• European Network <strong>of</strong> Accessible Tourism (ENAT)• European Network <strong>of</strong> Equality Bodies (EQUINET)• European Network <strong>of</strong> Independent Living (ENIL)• Global Partnership for Disability and Development (GPDD)• Social Economy Europe (SEE)• UN Regional Representative <strong>of</strong> the Office <strong>of</strong> the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights• The World Future CouncilThe work <strong>of</strong> the Consortium was presented at the following events:• “Improving the measurement <strong>of</strong> disability and ensuring an enabling environment: lessons from international experience”,a conference organised jointly by the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Family and Social Policy <strong>of</strong> Turkey, the World HealthOrganisation (WHO) and the World Bank (February 2012, Istanbul)• ”Barrier-free cities for all”, a meeting <strong>of</strong> the EUROCITIES working group (February 2012, Paris)• ”Citta‘ di Lucca...Diventare accessibile”, a seminar held during the Villaggio Solidale 2012, an Italian national event<strong>of</strong> voluntary organisations (February 2012, Lucca)• “International conference on good policies for disabled people”, organised by the Essl Foundation, the World FutureCouncil and the Bank Austria as part <strong>of</strong> the Zero Project (January 2012, Vienna)• Conference <strong>of</strong> the Spanish Network <strong>of</strong> UNESCO Cultural Heritage Cities on historical heritage and accessibility(November 2011, Avila)• “Work Forum on the implementation <strong>of</strong> the UN Convention on the Rights <strong>of</strong> Persons with Disabilities”, organised bythe European Commission (October 2011, Brussels)• International conference on accessibility, organised by Fondazione CRT with the Global Partnership for Disability2009-2011 ACTIVITY REPORTEuropean Consortium <strong>of</strong> Foundations on Human Rights and Disability

Providing legal certaintyOUTREACHand Development (GPDD) and the World Bank (June 2011, Turin)• Presentation <strong>of</strong> the study conclusions to the European Commission High Level Group (June 2011,Brussels)• “Reinterpreting the legal capacity from human rights. Shared experiences and challenges in implementingthe International Convention on the Rights <strong>of</strong> People with Disabilities”, a seminar heldat Carlos III University (June 2011, Madrid)• Seminar to launch the Disability Rights Promotion International (DRPI) project, organised byFundação Calouste Gulbenkian (May 2011, Lisbon)• Presentation <strong>of</strong> the Study conclusions at EDF’s Annual General Assembly (November 2010, Maastricht)• “The key role <strong>of</strong> local government in promoting disability inclusion - Ireland and the world” (December2010, Galway)• Global Donors Forum, organised at the European World Bank <strong>of</strong>fices (September 2010, Brussels)• Presentation <strong>of</strong> the Consortium’s work at the EQUABENCH Conference (September 2010, Brussels)• Presentation <strong>of</strong> the Consortium’s work at the Annual Meeting <strong>of</strong> Portuguese Foundations (May2010, Porto)The Consortium organised:• Launch event at the European Parliament (May 2009, Brussels)• Event organised by Global Partnership for Disability and Development (GPDD) in September 2010for representatives <strong>of</strong> EU Member States, UN, <strong>foundations</strong>, development agencies (US-aid and others)and DG DevelopmentConsortium partnersProviding legal certaintyCMJNRVBC0 M20 J100 N0R255 V204 B0C88 M0 J9 N0R0 V168 B214Providing legal certaintyC100 M50 J0 N20R0 V90 B154CMJNRVBC7 M3 J8 N0R241 V243 B237C11 M7 J12 N8R219 V219 B213C0 M0 J0 N70R112 V113 B11515

About the EFC...The European Foundation Centre, foundedin 1989, is an international membership associationrepresenting public-benefit <strong>foundations</strong>and corporate funders active in philanthropyin Europe, and beyond. The Centre developsand pursues activities in line with its four keyobjectives: creating an enabling legal and fiscalenvironment; documenting the foundationlandscape; building the capacity <strong>of</strong> foundationpr<strong>of</strong>essionals; and promoting collaboration,both among <strong>foundations</strong> and between <strong>foundations</strong>and other actors. Emphasising transparencyand best practice, all members sign up toand uphold the EFC Principles <strong>of</strong> Good Practice.May, 2012 © EFC 2012 – All rights reservedEuropean Foundation Centre, AISBL | 78, avenue de la Toison d’Or | 1060 Brussels, Belgiumt +32.2.512.8938 | f +32.2.512.3265 | efc@efc.be | www.efc.be