During the first week of July the annual EDGE Europe Retreat took place at La Bergerie de Villarceaux, an organic farm and retreat centre owned and kindly provided by the Charles Léopold Mayer Foundation. 30 participants from 24 different organisation (21 out of 30 European members plus partner networks, potential members and friends) deeply engaged with shaping EDGE as the home for systemic change philanthropy.

EDGE has grown significantly in Europe since its inception three years ago, and the retreat was an important opportunity to welcome new members, introduce EDGE to potential partners, and discuss strategies to scale up the impact of systemic change grantmaking. The meeting aimed to enhance the sense of community for a joint approach, set up in depth conversation for future collaborations among foundations, and finally challenge the philanthropic sector and how we address diversity, power and privileges to shift more resources towards systemic change.

Learning from GEL
Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the first EDGE Global Engagement Lab (GEL), a new peer-learning programme on systemic change philanthropy. The GEL included in-person retreats and online learning, to focus on both theoretical frames and concrete experiences from around the world, combining intellectual/academic, political/ historical, and cultural/personal education with practical skills building.

Spotlights on members
Five EDGE members presented their approach and challenges in systems change philanthropy: The Mediterranean Women’s Fund, Global Greengrants Fund UK, Colm Massey and the Solidarity Economy Association, the Renewable Freedom Foundation and Bertha Foundation.

Action sessions: “transformative economy”, “commons & municipalism” and “shifting the power”

Part of the retreat was dedicated to “action sessions”, through which participants were invited to discuss ideas and strategies to change philanthropy. The three main tematics were “Transformative economy”, “Shifting the power and “Commons and Municipality”.

Key outcomes of the action sessions and the subsequent open space include:

• Setting up a funders group on “transformative economies” (drop us an email if you are interested )
• Explore collaboration with the World Social Forum of Transformative Economies (April 2020 in Barcelona)
• Continuation of the work on commons and municipalism: development of a joint funder statement, topical newsletter, formalisation of a working group (including US based members)
• Develop strategies for bringing discussions on systems change philanthropy to board and trustees level
• Explore the idea to set up an “Utopian Vision Incubator”

During the retreat, participants shared the belief that EDGE is a political hub for progressive philanthropy and a space where it is possible to openly discuss avant-garde progressive visions and strategies.

Governance
The European Steering Group was set up in 2015, to help EDGE Europe develop an european network. Every member of the European Steering group has a three years mandate, and this Europe Retreat witnessed the approval for three new members (plus Philippe Mayol, who will be continuing with a second mandate). In the formation of the Steering Group, EDGE always seeks for diversity, in relation to gender and type of organization. We want to thank Nicolas Krausz, Matthias Fiedler, Amanda Gigler, and Donal MacFhearreigh, who are stepping down from the European Steering Group, but will remain involved as board members.

The European Steering group is currently composed as follow:

• Claudia Neubauer (Charles Leopold Mayer Foundation)
• Eva Rehse (Global Greengrants Fund UK)
• Ivan Juric (Guerrilla Foundation)
• Maria Arenas Cabral (Calala Women’s Fund)
• Martin Modlinger (Renewable Freedom Foundation)
• Philippe Mayol (Fondation Terre Solidaire)
• Renata Cuk (OSIFE)
• Vivian Paulissen (European Cultural Foundation)

A detailed report is now available for members and participants in the retreat, and upon request by email to Tobias Troll (EDGE Funders).