Carola Carazzone, Secretary General of Assifero, the Italian association of grantmaking foundations and REVES’ member since 2020 elected President of DAFNE, the association that brings together 30 national associations from 28 countries across Europe, representing over 10.000 public-benefit foundations, big and small, who want to make a difference in society.

In her statement, reported below, Carola underlines the potentialities and the role that Europe, as a whole, has to play, especially in light of the pandemic and its consequences. Furthermore, she highlights the importance and the needs for the European philanthropy ecosystem to strengthen and achieve new collaborations with strategic partners across a wide variety of sector to shape a more inclusive, equal and sustainable Europe.

“Today more than ever it is time for Europe to step up.” States Carola Carazzone “2020 has been a dreadful year and, at the same time, a year that has shown the extraordinary potential for Europe. The decade ahead of us needs a connected and effective European philanthropy ecosystem, able to contribute to and shape a more inclusive, equal and sustainable Europe. The pandemic has offered us a once-in-a lifetime opportunity: a powerful experience of collective empathy, of experiencing the meaning of humanity’s interconnectedness and interdependence and indivisibility with the planet. Dafne, representing collectively over 10.000 foundations, has a unique role to play in enabling, developing, accelerating and multiplying the collective impact of European philanthropy. I truly believe that Dafne can make a big difference in unlocking the huge potential that lies in private resources, including non-financial support, and in contributing to strategic partnerships of multisector stakeholders. It is a great honour for me to serve Dafne as its Chair standing on the shoulders of my predecessor Felix Oldenburg and building on the courageous vision of the people who served before me.”

Read the full news and statement on DAFNE website