European Foundation - An Opportunity at the Local Level

Abstract

In February 2012 the European Commission presented a proposal for a Regulation on the Statute for a European Foundation (FE). Foundations play an important role in the EU civil society with significant public benefit contributions at national, regional and local level. This paper provides a general introduction to this tentative European legal entity – Fundatio Europaea. Special focus is given to the possible opportunities and challenges the European Foundation could present at the local and (cross-border) regional (governmental) level if this regulation was ever adopted. Authors bring in also a special focus on the national perspectives of Slovenia and Slovakia.