The central objective was to elevate the professional development of fundraisers to a European level. This meant enabling fundraising staff to learn across borders, share experiences, and collaboratively explore “good practice” examples. By doing so, the partnership aimed to discover how fundraising operates in different EU member states and how vocational training in this field can be shaped for the future. Specifically, the project set out to: (1) develop a common knowledge base on effective fundraising strategies in Europe, (2) improve participants’ understanding of fundraising principles and methods, (3) raise awareness of how poverty and social exclusion impact fundraising needs in each country, and (4) strengthen intercultural competencies and transnational cooperation skills among the professionals. All objectives aligned with Erasmus+ priorities of inclusion and diversity, since better fundraising ultimately supports projects for vulnerable groups.
The Erasmus+ project “FUNdRAISING – Professional Qualification of Fundraisers in Social Organizations in Europe” was launched to address a shared need among the partner organizations: to strengthen the skills and knowledge of fundraising professionals in order to better secure resources for projects aimed at combating poverty and promoting social inclusion. Fundraising—understood as all activities aimed at mobilizing funds and support for nonprofit initiatives that foster inclusion and equal opportunities for disadvantaged people—has gained significant importance in the social sector. Larger organizations across Europe employ professionals responsible for acquiring external funding—from EU programs and national grants to private donations—in order to finance high-quality educational and social services for marginalized groups. Opportunities for comprehensive professional training in fundraising, however, vary greatly from country to country. By bringing together four Caritas organizations (from Germany, Austria, Italy, and Romania), the project sought to create a European exchange platform to learn from one another and to identify best practices in fundraising.