In this episode we talk to Mihaela Giurgiu, a philanthropy expert from Romania who works as a mapping, research and peer-learning expert for the European Community Foundation Initiative and as an international network consultant for The Funding Initiative. Including:
- What is the history and current context for civil society in Romania and across Central and Eastern Europe more broadly?
- What is the general attitude of governments in CE Europe towards civil society and philanthropy?
- What is the balance between local, regional, national and international approaches in philanthropic funding across CE Europe?
- What kind of domestic causes receive philanthropic funding in Romania and other CE European countries?
- What is the attitude of the public towards philanthropy in CE European countries?
- Do recent critiques of philanthropy in the US and UK resonate in the CE European context? Or do they feel less relevant?
- Why have community foundations played such an important role in developing civil society and philanthropy in countries where the State previously crowded them out?
- Does the diversity of forms and approaches shown by community foundations sometimes make it difficult to position them as part of a coherent movement?
- Do community foundations tend to get forgotten in wider discussions about foundation philanthropy? If so, why?
- What is the role of infrastructure bodies in helping civil society organisations and funders navigate and adapt to a rapidly-changing environment?
- Has the Covid-19 pandemic increased awareness of the value of infrastructure? Will this result in more sustainable long-term funding?
- What role can giving circles play in developing a culture of philanthropy?
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