This was the theme of the first conference of Community Foundations from Europe, which held place in the capital of Wales, Cardiff. There were 100 participants from 22 European countries, including Odorheiu Secuiesc Community Foundation. The purpose of the event was to support the participants to learn, to reflect and to build relationships.

Barry Knight, the Global Fund for Community Foundation’s expert, stressed that community philanthropy is part of human nature, as each has models to give back to the community. Community Foundations, respective community philanthropy can build stronger and resilient communities, due to the fact that:

  • Build and manage assets – financial and other kinds of goods the community has
  • Strengthens skills – skills, knowledge, professionalism, leadership and strong community organizations
  • Build trust – social capital, positive relationships and cooperation.

Felix Oldeburg, the general secretary of the German Community Foundations, stressed that philanthropy is not just a privilege of the few, because it is now accessible to everyone: anyone can help with voluntary work, donationand professional knowledge.

Another key idea of ​​the conference and a message that we need to shift the power, to use participatory grant-making, to ask the community about their needs and to involve actively the community.

The Odorheiu Secuiesc Community Foundation was represented by Rozália Csáki, executive director who declares: „It was a good feeling that the Odorheiu Secuiesc Community Foundation works with these methods and techniques already from the very beginning, and considers them important. What we have done and what we do together in the Odorhei region is exemplary.”

The event was organized by the European Community Foundation Initiative and the Community Foundations Network in United Kingdom.