Western Europe

Regional Reviewer: Prof. Michael Meyer
Institutional Affiliation: WU Vienna (Vienna University of Economics and Business)

Overview

The philanthropic environment in Western Europe between 2021 and 2023 has seen significant shifts, largely influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, political and economic instability, and legislative reforms. One major change has been the increased collaboration between philanthropic organizations (POs) and governments, particularly in crisis response, as evidenced by swift government support like Austria’s creation of a nonprofit fund. Additionally, the pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital giving platforms and increased demand for unrestricted funding, fostering greater flexibility in how POs operate. The region also experienced a record surge in donations for Ukraine relief efforts in 2022, underscoring the region’s commitment to international humanitarian causes.

Key legislative changes, such as Austria’s Public Benefit Reform Act of 2023, have also shaped the sector, simplifying regulations for nonprofits and expanding tax-relief eligibility for donors. However, challenges remain, including economic pressures from inflation and geopolitical tensions, particularly from the war in Ukraine, which affected both giving patterns and the economic environment. Emerging trends such as the growing emphasis on climate change philanthropy and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are reshaping the nonprofit landscape, while concerns about declining democratic freedoms and increasing nationalism in some countries pose risks to civic space and nonprofit operations.

Overall, the philanthropic environment has evolved to be more dynamic and collaborative, though challenges like economic inequality and political restrictions continue to impact the sector.

View the full 2025 GPEI Western Europe regional report:

View Western Europe Report