Since spring 2022, while the peak of the pandemic was behind us, we shifted our solidarity action from emergency response to longer-term action aimed at promoting a recovery based on the principles of fairness and sustainability. In line with this evolution, the EU Staff Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund changed its name in EU Staff Fund for a Fair and Sustainable Future.
The structure and functioning of the fund stays the same, while the funding strategy evolved to better integrate the social and environmental concerns which inspired our action since the very beginning.
More than € 1.6 million collected to date!
The EU Staff Fund for a Fair and Sustainable Future is managed by EU Staff for Climate, in cooperation with King Baudouin Foundation. It aims to address social issues, making sure that the actions we support do not harm the environment and, where possible, contribute to its protection and restoration. The organisations we support are aware of good ecological practices, respect the environment and conduct their activities accordingly. We believe that environmentally positive actions help mitigate the risks of natural catastrophes and may represent an opportunity for socio-economic inclusion.
In this perspective, our fund pursues two complementary objectives.
1. Enable people in vulnerable positions to satisfy their basic needs and ensure the fulfilment of their human, social and economic rights.
2. Help protect and restore the environment, promoting the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices in social activities and the development of environment-positive actions.
We support actions pursuing both objectives at the same time, which can take the following forms.
a) actions addressing the needs of people in vulnerable positions by applying ecologically sensitive practices (this includes the introduction of new practices to reduce the environmental impact of existing actions and better align them with ecological and sustainable principles);
b) actions making of the protection of the environment and the sustainable use of resources an opportunity for promoting the wellbeing of individuals in vulnerable and marginalised positions;
c) actions helping victims of climate-related natural disasters and promoting a sustainable recovery.
While the first two strands of actions (A and B) are permanent, the third (C) is a complementary one which will be activated through special campaigns in response to emerging needs.
The Fund prioritises projects promoted by small local organisations, working in the EU and countries in the process of joining the EU, which are deeply rooted in the communities they work with and have limited access to institutional funding, in particular from the European Union.
As EUstaff4Climate, we propose to all colleagues across the EU institutions to donate monthly at least 2% of our salary. This will secure a stable support for the fund, and ensure a higher symbolic value of our contribution.
See also our ongoing initiative in support of the people of Ukraine
or our past response to the floods in Europe of summer 2021
Frequently Asked Questions
Why a dedicated fund for EU staff?
In many of the countries most affected by COVID-19, Euroskepticism was on the rise. The EU is often accused of lack of solidarity and indifference. This is why we decided to give a clear sign of what we mean for EU solidarity, promoting a fund that could provide an immediate and substantial financial contribution to people in need, across national borders and independent of the nationality of the donors.
Why King Baudouin Foundation?
King Baudouin Foundation is one of the most important philanthropic institutions in Belgium. The Foundation is the animator of the Transnational Giving Europe, and has long experience in managing corporate solidarity funds. Through their network of European philanthropic institutions, they help identify trustworthy organisations in different countries and collect project proposal in line with our objectives. The foundation being based in Belgium, facilitates the functioning of our partnership.
Why did EUstaff4climate launch this fund?
Global warming, destruction of natural habitats, deforestation and other unintended consequences of our highly interconnected economies contribute to pandemics and generate multiple crises. EUstaff4Climate recognises the nexus between health, climate, biodiversity and socio-economic conditions. All our efforts and initiatives aim to address the multiple threats to human health, well-being and ecosystems through a holistic approach, aimed at responding as well as preventing future crises.
How is the Fund managed?
The Fund’s policy and funding decisions will be made by the management committee, which consists of representatives of EUstaff4Climate, representatives of the King Baudouin Foundation, and is chaired by David O’Sullivan, former Secretary General of the Commission.
The Foundation ensures the daily management of the Fund’s affairs including communication, transparency and visibility.
Which organisations does the Fund support?
Following the Foundation’s advice, the aim of the Fund is not limited to short-term support, but aims to achieve results which are sustainable in medium-, long-term.
What sets our Fund apart is that we can be quick and support small organisations that do not have access to other sources of funding. Together with our donors we have defined a funding strategy that aims at the very specific intersection between social and environmental objectives.
Financing decisions are taken in dialogue with the Foundation, which have a key role for identifying local projects via its network of partner foundations in different EU countries. The representatives of EUstaff4Climate ensure that all donations have the greatest impact and visibility in line with the objectives of the Fund.
Once the fund will reach the visibility we aim to, we count on directly receiving requests from initiatives and organisations in different countries. To this aim, the participation of the Fund’s donors is key. EU staff constitute a valuable network with direct links in all EU countries and beyond. We invite all contributors to participate in the identification of potential beneficiaries, by proposing organisations and initiatives in line with our objectives.
How much should I donate and why do you propose 2% of our salary?
Donations are free and any amount will be of great help. Nonetheless, we believe that a regular contribution of 2% of our salary will increase the impact of our initiative and our capacity to plan our work. The Fund aims at implementing regular rounds of donations enlarging as much as possible the number of beneficiaries of our action as well as our capacity to support innovative projects with a strong social and environmental impact.
Can retired officials contribute too?
Retired officials are encouraged to contribute and to disseminate the Fund to other former colleagues.
Are the donations tax deductible in Belgium or in other EU countries?
The King Baudouin Foundation will automatically send one to all donors deductible tax receipts valid for Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Denmark (more info here). Thanks to the Transnational Giving Europe network, this opportunity is also available for donors having fiscal residence in other EU countries.
Can non-EU staff contribute to the Fund?
While in principle the Fund is open to charitable contributions from anybody, we will not actively seek donations from donors outside the EU institutions.
How will I be informed about how my contribution is used?
Information about the amount collected and the organisation financed are shared with all donors via a newsletter and published on this website for every round of donations. In addition, we organise moments of direct interaction with the management committee, online Q&A, and ad hoc surveys to involve the donors in the main events of the life of the Fund.
How do I donate?
You can donate online via the button below
Or you can donate via a monthly bank transfer directly to the Foundation’s account
IBAN: BE10 0000 0000 0404 // BIC: BPOTBEB1
by indicating the reference number of our Fund
“200640 – EU Staff Fund for a Fair and Sustainable Future”
or with the following structured reference number (communication structurée)
***020/0640/00059***
More questions?
Write an e-mail with subject “EU Staff Fund” to EU-staff4Climate@ec.europa.eu
A copy of the official agreement with the Foundation can be sent on request.
Contacts King Baudouin Foundation
Ludwig Forrest | Head of International Philanthropy
E-mail: Forrest.L@Kbs-frb.be | T: +32-2-549 02 38
forrest.l@kbs-frb.be | www.kbs-frb.be | www.transnationalgiving.eu
The content on this website does not engage or express the views of any of the EU institutions.
EU Staff for Climate 