European Cultural Foundation
Encyclopedia
The European Cultural Foundation (ECF) is an independent foundation based in the Netherlands
that has been operating across Europe
for nearly 60 years. The ECF supports arts and culture in Europe via its activities, programmes, grants and online platforms. It states as its mission to "initiate and support cultural expression and interaction that empower people to realise a shared future in Europe". ECF's primary theme until 2012 is Narratives for Europe – seeking people and communities who are building stories and visions which shape Europe of today and tomorrow.
and has 29 employees (including part-time employees). The ECF’s Director is Katherine Watson, who is also Director of the digital platform LabforCulture, initiated by ECF in 2006. ECF’s president is HRH Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands. The European Cultural Foundation was set up in Geneva, in 1954, by the Swiss philosopher Denis de Rougemont
. The Foundation’s first President was one of the principal architects of the European Economic Community, (later the European Union), Robert Schuman
.
The foundation has run several large scale European programmes including, ‘‘Plan Europe 2000’ and managed the European Commission’s educational programmes Erasmus (1987–1995), Eurydice (1980–2001) and Tempus (1992–1993). ECF has set up many project initiatives such as East-West Parliamentary Practice Project, Art for Social Change (in conjunction with Soros Foundation Network) and ALMOSTREAL. ECF is a registered charity and is funded by BankGiro Loterij and de Lotto through its longstanding partnership with Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
that has been operating across Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for nearly 60 years. The ECF supports arts and culture in Europe via its activities, programmes, grants and online platforms. It states as its mission to "initiate and support cultural expression and interaction that empower people to realise a shared future in Europe". ECF's primary theme until 2012 is Narratives for Europe – seeking people and communities who are building stories and visions which shape Europe of today and tomorrow.
Organisation
ECF is based in AmsterdamAmsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
and has 29 employees (including part-time employees). The ECF’s Director is Katherine Watson, who is also Director of the digital platform LabforCulture, initiated by ECF in 2006. ECF’s president is HRH Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands. The European Cultural Foundation was set up in Geneva, in 1954, by the Swiss philosopher Denis de Rougemont
Denis de Rougemont
Denis de Rougemont was a Swiss writer, who wrote in French.He studied at the University of Neuchâtel, and then moved to Paris in 1930. There he wrote for and edited various publications, associating with the personalist groupings and the non-conformists of the 1930s...
. The Foundation’s first President was one of the principal architects of the European Economic Community, (later the European Union), Robert Schuman
Robert Schuman
Robert Schuman was a noted Luxembourgish-born French statesman. Schuman was a Christian Democrat and an independent political thinker and activist...
.
The foundation has run several large scale European programmes including, ‘‘Plan Europe 2000’ and managed the European Commission’s educational programmes Erasmus (1987–1995), Eurydice (1980–2001) and Tempus (1992–1993). ECF has set up many project initiatives such as East-West Parliamentary Practice Project, Art for Social Change (in conjunction with Soros Foundation Network) and ALMOSTREAL. ECF is a registered charity and is funded by BankGiro Loterij and de Lotto through its longstanding partnership with Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds.