NEF acts as an operational platform to develop projects/initiatives between foundations and other types of organised philanthropy and other funding initiatives by corporate and public entities; and to develop programmes related to Europe and the role of Europe on the global stage. NEF acts as a broker, an intermediary that supports the development and launch of transnational partnerships/joint-ventures engaging foundations and, where appropriate, other partners.
NEF OPERATING PRACTICES:
- to give a European perspective to nationally based and local/regional initiatives, so as to explore new ideas and build new patterns of cooperation which also contribute to the development of systemic social change;
- to create a store of effective and operational European funding experience with a view to bring added value
- to enable smaller and larger foundations to join forces in mounting joint-ventures
- to demonstrate to the EU and other international organisations that European foundations can play an effective, complementary role to governmental initiatives in a flexible way, thus enhancing the overall impact and outreach of the action;
- to foster mutual trust and cooperation between foundations and other partners with shared common interests and with an European perspective
The European Foundation Centre (EFC) and the Network of European Foundations for Innovative Cooperation (NEF) work closely together. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizes their ongoing close collaboration and spells out the complementarities to which they are committed. While the EFC acts as a meeting place for European funders, NEF acts as a catalyst to initiate and develop operations. Both parties are represented on EFC- and NEF-related committees. However, whereas EFC is a representative, membership body, NEF is a small core group of foundations with the remit to open up operational cooperation to other foundations and other organisations. Both the EFC and NEF are open to partnership and collaboration with organizations that are not members of either.
NEF's flexible model of action:
There is no single model of the hosting function to projects which NEF accepts to develop under its auspices. In almost all cases, there is a strong wish from foundations to engage in operational cooperation whilst at the same time learning about each other's modus operandi. From the experience gained over the years, it is possible to identify a range of motivations behind NEF's hosting role:
- providing a neutral, financial/legal framework for partnerships;
- influencing European especially EU policies and programmes;
- building the capacity of civil society to work in a European perspective;
- scaling up operationally of joint projects to secure greater impact;
- promoting joint research analysis and transnational debate, and;
- launching a multi-annual European project.
GOVERNANCE OF NEF
NEF is a joint-initiative of a limited core number of foundations, and, as such, is "owned" by them. In this sense, it is not a membership-based organisation. The core membership of NEF is drawn from various parts of Europe comprises of 12-15 foundations. The advantage of retaining this small core is their shared determination to develop NEF as a catalyst for action on the European stage.
The NEF General Assembly may invite other foundations to join the core on the basis of their strong interest in building a European dimension to the work of foundations, and a clear commitment to the 'spirit' underlying the NEF mission.
The Chairman, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and Director constitute the executive Board of Directors. They form a strong team effort in the management of NEF. Furthermore, NEF has adopted a decentralised approach to leadership of the different NEF projects, through the Steering Committees, with the involvement of as many foundations as possible. Up to 65 foundations have participated in NEF projects during 2006-2007.
