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20 June 2023
The face of foundations that change territories.
Bringing to light the role of philanthropy not just as a mere provider of funds but as a propulsive force for processes capable of effecting change. A two-day event of evaluations and discussions, the one that Assifero is celebrating in Palermo on the occasion of its twentieth anniversary. An opportunity also to tell stories through the firsthand experiences of those who live in close contact with realities and the reality itself.
How do you celebrate twenty years of daily commitment to building a philanthropic system that is more informed, connected, effective, and strategic, encompassing all territories of our country? A system that not everyone knows, considering it belonging to a world that provides without delving into the details.
A two-day assembly like the one being conducted by Assifero, the Italian association of foundations and philanthropic entities, in Palermo, can certainly be the right strategy to become aware of the journey undertaken and look ahead through the exchange and sharing of knowledge.
“We celebrate this first twenty years by thanking the past that has allowed us to come this far,” says the president, Stefania Mancini. “It has been a challenging and not easy past. We have spent twenty years bringing forth the role of philanthropy not only as a mere provider but as a strategic entity that does not seek to replace others but can truly change the face of territories together with others. There are some important things to highlight. Firstly, full recognition of our path within the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations because we are able to achieve local development by combining all knowledge within a territory. Today, we are an officially recognized part of the Third Sector within a regulatory framework that dedicates a specific section to philanthropic entities. In my opinion, this signifies democracy. We have managed to assert the democratic face of foundations, which were generally seen as something detached that donates, whereas it’s not just donation but also the provision of valuable expertise, and it involves partnerships where each has its role. I believe this is one of the best recognitions of the work we have done. Another important point is that, having been accredited, we are now fully part of a universal civil service. This has never happened before. We have entered a world that belonged to another type of Third Sector associations, while today there are also foundations and philanthropic entities. We have an important connection with Europe because philanthropy, since 2016 with Addis Ababa and since 2019 with the European Economic and Social Committee, is finally recognized as a strategic partner, which is quite different from being just fund providers.”
All of this also speaks of philanthropy being recognized at the European level as a subject of discussion.
“It is certainly a great step forward. Today, we celebrate twenty years of work in which a person of great drive like Felice Scalvini has played a lion’s role. We have given these twenty years four things: a fundamental electoral regulation, a growing number of members that other member countries do not have: we are only 160, but the numerical growth rate is higher than in other countries. Tomorrow, we will dedicate four new foundations. We have entered the Runts and launched collaborative funds.”
Your mandate will end in two years. What are the objectives you set along a road that still has a long way to go?
“I say that if there is no political voice, we don’t make a difference. That’s why we need to have a voice that is not distinctive of who we are but at the service of the country,” Mancini continues. “Philanthropic entities are emerging, and this also helps us be a support. We are a community of practices; we have reached a very professional level of support for our members. We work at various times of the year, so the assembly is certainly important for voting, for getting into cities, but let’s remember that during our journey, there is a conference dedicated to community foundations, with over 50 members to date and more being added in Italy. Then we have the two days dedicated to Corporate Foundations, which obviously have different needs, as well as moments dedicated to family foundations. However, the winning game is to see us working sectorally for foundation components and then creating collaboration systems between intertwining types. We are healthy, but we need to grow politically.”
Why Palermo for this important assembly?
“In Palermo, we don’t have members, but this is a city where a lot of work is being done. I think of Fondazione con il Sud. Carlo Borgomeo left his position as president in May, but his commitment to this territory has always been very strong. In these days, I am visiting many projects financed by Fondazione con il Sud: I stayed at Moltivolti, had dinner at the restaurant ‘Al Fresco,’ visited Zen where we have been present for years as Fondazione Charlemagne, and also visited Palazzo Butera where a beautiful project is underway that involves three years of artisanal workshops stemming from a regeneration concept led by Massimo Balzetti.”
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