The Role of Philanthropy supporting research in Europe
Through the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO) and in cooperation with the King Baudouin Foundation and the European Foundation Centre (EFC), the Belgian Presidency of the European Union and the European Commission, are jointly organizing a mutual learning workshop on 13 October 2010 to discuss the current and future role of philanthropy in the European Research Area.
Scientific research is of key importance to Europe, and various actors are taking steps to boost public- and private-sector investment in research and development. Philanthropy offers a wide range of possibilities for supporting research efforts in Europe. This conference will set out both to raise awareness of the various initiatives and to launch a debate aimed at determining the most important measures to be taken in the Member States and at European level.
Research and innovation are at the very heart of the Europe 2020 Strategy. Increasing R&D investment is crucial, not only to ensure a sustainable recovery from the financial and economic crisis, but also to effectively tackle the serious societal challenges facing Europe.
In this context, philanthropy, or private donations to benefit public research in Europe assumes ever greater importance. Scientific research has always thrived on philanthropic patronage by foundations, trusts and other non-profit organisations.
This workshop is aimed at national policy makers, but representatives of foundations supporting research and experts in the field of philanthropy will also be invited, to help foster mutual learning and stimulate debate.
The role of philanthropy in stimulating scientific research will be clarified through an appraisal of the activities by the European foundations that finance research or have their own research centre. Initiatives by the European Commission and some EU Member States will also be examined.
A number of successful examples show that there is room for public authorities to shore up the philanthropic funding of research by providing better framework conditions and launching specific incentives.
The aims of our workshop are to learn about good practices and discuss which policies could usefully be implemented at the EU and national levels to:
- Boost donations to research in Europe by individuals and corporations;
- foster the creation of new research foundations by governments, individuals and industry;
- step up and improve spending on research by existing foundations, primarily through enhanced cross-border cooperation, especially in connection with measures designed to cope with societal challenges.