Philanthropy infrastructures for trust and solidarity in Central and Eastern Europe

Why are we asking for your input?

Across Central and Eastern Europe, many organisations are developing creative ways to strengthen philanthropy, giving, civic action, trust and solidarity. Yet much of this experience remains scattered, undocumented or known only within local networks.

We want to change that.

Through this survey, we are mapping the organisations, networks and initiatives that help philanthropy and civic action thrive across the region.

Your practice may be exactly what someone else needs to see.

Whether you support philanthropy and giving, mobilise resources, support communities, influence policy, build trust or strengthen collaboration, your experience can help inspire and inform others working in similar contexts.

What are we trying to achieve?

This survey is part of the PEXperiment "Philanthropy Infrastructures for Trust and Solidarity in Central and Eastern Europe".

More specifically, we want to:

• identify relevant actors and initiatives;
• understand how organisations describe their role and contribution;
• document practices, innovations and approaches that others can learn from;
• uncover stories, turning points and conditions that have shaped the field over time.

By philanthropy infrastructure, we mean the organisations, networks, platforms, initiatives and support structures that enable philanthropy, giving, generosity and civic action to develop, and help mobilise, distribute and steward resources.

We know that not everyone uses the term philanthropy infrastructure to describe their work. We are therefore also interested in understanding what language resonates, how organisations see their role, and which important actors might otherwise be overlooked.

What's in it for you?

By taking part, you will receive access to the anonymised findings, including insights into emerging actors, roles, practices and trends across the region.

More importantly, this is an opportunity to help surface and amplify practices that deserve wider visibility. Some of the examples shared through the survey may be featured as case studies, showcased in regional learning exchanges, or inspire approaches that others can adapt and replicate in their own contexts.

Together, we hope to build a shared pool of knowledge, expertise and practical experience that strengthens philanthropy infrastructure across Central and Eastern Europe.

Thank you for contributing your experience, knowledge and perspective.

About the PEXperiment

The PEXperiment is being developed by an informal working group of practitioners connected to the wider PEX community. PEX is a European space for collaboration, learning and experimentation among philanthropy infrastructure actors.

Through this initiative, we aim to make valuable practices and experiences more visible, connect peers across the region, and create opportunities for collective learning. Ultimately, we hope to help answer a question: What makes philanthropy infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe distinctive, and what can the wider European field learn from its capacity to adapt, innovate and sustain civic action under pressure?