What is the ECFI Learning Lab?
The ECFI Learning Lab provides a structured space for thought, learning and analysis, that will enrich the individual, their organisation and the community foundation field. The “Lab” in the title indicates that it is a space that is safe and purposeful. It is a space inhabited by peers, primarily led by peers with limited outside guidance and structuring that is provided through ECFI. At the same time, it is a space that gets “dirty” in two ways:
- through the experience brought in by practitioners, which is subjected to their individual and collective reflection, and
- by the very ways of conversations and experimentation (as that is what happens in labs) with ideas, thoughts and reflections of practices, approaches and situations of interest to learners.
In 2024 the Learning Lab will offer structured space for collaboration for the Climate Learning Journey scholars. There is no need for a separate Learning Lab application. More information and application for the Climate Learning Journey can be found here
James Magowan
Co-ordinating Director
Outcomes of Learning Lab
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Learning Lab 2022 - The regeneration of our communities through CFs and the SDGs (June 2023) Research paper by Elena Carandini, President, Raimat Lleida Community Foundation, describing how the SDGs were used as axes for the development of the community foundation.
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Learning Lab 2022 - To learn and understand the SDGs ... (April 2023) Research paper by Iwona Olkowicz, Federation of CFs in Poland, helps to understand and communicate the benefits of the SDGs. It provides guidelines for including the SDGs in activities and highlights the role of CFs in achieving these goals.
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Learning Lab 2022 - Marketing tools and SDGs (January 2023) Research paper by Zuzanna Komornicka, PR Specialist, Snow Mountain CF. explores the potential of integrating the SDGs into marketing tools to realise the potential of collaboration with businesses.
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Learning Lab 2021 – Motivation and group dynamics in Hungarian community foundations (May 2022) Research paper by György Hámori, Community Foundation Support Program, Roots and Wings Foundation, Hungary, exploring internal and external motivational factors behind participation in community foundation leadership and governance.
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Learning Lab 2021 - Community foundation resilience in response to the Covid-19 pandemic (March 2022) Research paper by Kostandina Këruti, Programme Manager, Partners Albania, exploring how community foundations demonstrated resilience through adapting operations, engaging communities and stakeholders and financial planning.
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Learning Lab 2021 - A journey from responsive to strategic grantmaking and back (January 2022) Research paper by Irina Șerban-Atanasiu, Galati Community Foundation, Romania, telling the story of a process of strategic thinking around a dilemma faced by most community foundations.
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Learning Lab 2021 – Field Development Observations and Lessons (January 2022) Research paper by Valentina Ferrara, AEF, Spain, reflecting on her experience with a program supporting the establishment of new community foundations.
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Learning Lab 2021 - Community engagement, a crucial issue for community foundations (January 2022) Research paper by Ilaria de Cave, Assifero, Italy exploring why and how to engage young people, with examples from Italy.
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Sustainability as systemic value - Andreea Alexandrov (February 2021) The publication contains proposals for CF developed within Learning Lab 2020
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2021 ECFI Learning Lab