A series of working groups have been recently established, through which member foundations can work collaboratively on specific issues. These give some practical examples of how EDGE Europe will work and operate. The working groups were established in July 2015 therefore the work is at an early stage. Her you can find an overview of the work the groups will be concentrating on however this is likely do change as the groups become more established and developed.

We invite you to become members of EDGE Europe and thereby connect with the working groups and the exciting work they will be carrying out in Europe. Please see here for more information on how to join EDGE or contact us at contacteurope [at] edgefunders.org for more information.

1. Commons Working Group

Will look at what The Commons in Europe will look like and identify how best to develop the ideas surrounding the Commons in Europe further. Links will be built with the ongoing work at Charles Leopold Mayer Fondation as they embark on a grantmaking programme on the Commons in Europe for 2015-2017.

Co-ordinated by the Fondation Charles Leopold Mayer pour le Progrès de l’Homme (fph) Lausanne, Switzerland.

2. Activist Fund Working Group

Will research and analyse models for a non-donor committee e.g. Radical Sharing Forum model. The idea is to bring in grassroots knowledge, increase transparency and alleviate power imbalances. The group will build on work already carried out by the Open Society Foundation with a plan to to carry out further work in this area.

Co-ordinated by the Open Society Initiative for Europe, Barcelona, Spain.

3. Ethical Investment Working Group

Will identify specific ways to invest in the next economy, adopting a Community of Practice approach. This will involve making links with key finance people within foundations to share how we invest and identify the key issues and challenges relating to ethical investment. There will be two strands to the work – the political how and also how best to influence others.

Co-ordinated by the Bewegungsstiftung, Verden, Germany

4. COP 21/Climate Justice Working Group

Will bring together member foundations with an interest in COP21, within a climate justice perspective. Looking to map the citizen mobilisation in Europe in the run up to COP21 in December 2015 in Paris. Significant links will be made with organisations in Germany, UK, Belgium and France to build connections. Throughout this work the group will seek agenda items for the International Funders Reception being organised by EDGE Funders Alliance on 06.12.15 in Paris.

Co-ordinated by CCFD – Terre Solidaire, Paris, France and by the Fondation Charles Leopold Mayer pour le Progrès de l’Homme (fph) Lausanne, Switzerland.

5. Just Transition Collaboration Working Group

Will develop a ‘Building Equity and Alignment for the Next Economy’ collaboration group within Europe. There will be three levels of involvement – funders (grassroots), NGOs/support groups and thinkers. The idea is to create a series of consultations. develop learning tools to share information and spread the work through webinars, workshops and by mapping information.

Co-ordinated by EDGE Funders Alliance, San Francisco, USA.