Philanthropy for Democracy
A roundtable discussion for philanthropists and foundations will be held in Prague, Czech Republic, on November 21, 2024, hosted by the Open Society Fund Prague, the Stefan Batory Foundation, and Porticus. The goal is to foster connections and trust through meaningful engagement, share data and best practices and openly explore opportunities for future collaboration.
Private philanthropic giving has been steadily increasing in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia, involving a growing number of entrepreneurs interested in funding not only complex, long-term issues but also democracy itself. Through their funding, they aim to drive change and defend democracy in response to the shrinking space for civil society, rising populism, and authoritarian tendencies currently affecting Europe.
The roundtable will bring together a new generation of philanthropists from the CEE region, along with representatives of key foundations involved in the Democracy Network, which have supported democracy in Europe for the past 30 years.
PROGRAMME
Detailed programme in preparation.
November 21, 2024 | |
|---|---|
10:00 – 12:00
| Separate meetings Democracy Network Steering Committee Czech/Polish philanthropic group (coordinated by the BLÍŽKSOBĚ Foundation and Philanthropy for Impact) |
12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch |
13:00 – 17:30 | Philanthropy for Democracy Roundtable What can philanthropy do to prevent or halt democratic backsliding in Europe and to promote democracy? In what ways do the methods of private philanthropists and foundations differ or complement each other? How can philanthropists and foundations enhance their collaboration? The roundtable will explore these and other questions, fostering open discussion and the exchange of experiences. The event will also present a recent study on the state of philanthropy in Europe, introduce collaboration opportunities within the Democracy Network, and showcase a practical example of a pooled philanthropic fund, Civitates – The European Democracy Fund. |
18:30 – 21:00 | Dinner |
CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS
More attendees will be added once their participation is confirmed.
Ondřej Liška
Europe Director at Porticus | Board at CAN Global
Martijn L.M. Roos
Program Manager, Adessium Foundation
Elisa Peter
Director at Civitates - The European Democracy Fund
Martina Břeňová
Director at Open Society Fund Prague
Martin Vohánka
CEO & Founder at EUROWAG | philanthropist | Founder of the BLÍŽKSOBĚ Foundation
Silke Horáková
Co-Owner of Albatros Media a.s. | Co-Founder & Partner at Tilia Impact Ventures
Ewa Kulik-Bielińska
Director at Stefan Batory Foundation
Marie Peřinová
Program Director at Open Society Fund Prague
The regional event is carried out with the financial support of the Active Citizens Fund, programme funded through the EEA Grants and Norway Grants 2014–2021.