The Philea Forum gathering offered a unique chance to see how global actors are grappling with issues on the ground. Photo from Philea
The world of philanthropy is a complex tapestry of intention, impact, and influence, shaped over decades by history, power, and identity.
Traditionally, Western cities have largely set the trends, language, and priorities for the sector, often defining what is considered “best practice” in philanthropy.
Yet in June 2025, Lisbon became a rare global stage where these assumptions were openly interrogated.
More than 800 participants from Europe and across the world convened from June 2–5 for the Philea Forum 2025, hosted by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.
With its bold theme, “Power and Equality: A Balancing Act,” the Forum offered a candid reflection on inequalities in philanthropy and society, and the responsibilities of the sector to confront them.
While the event was European in scope, the discussions offered African philanthropy a unique vantage point: a chance to observe, reflect, and draw lessons from how global actors grapple with power, imbalance, and accountability.
For African actors, the Forum was less about celebration and more about confrontation.
Unlike traditional gatherings that circled politely around inequality, Lisbon’s conversations went straight to the roots of the structural, systemic, and historical forces that shape philanthropic work.
Patterns familiar to African organizations power imbalances, bureaucratic rigidity, and unequal partnerships, are dissected openly, providing lessons that can be interpreted and adapted for the continent.
Philea President Ángel Font set the tone in his opening address, highlighting the urgency of confronting these imbalances:
“Inevitably, wherever you find imbalance in the world around us, be it in a figurative or literal sense, then the result is that something bends, breaks, or fractures, sometimes beyond repair. It is therefore better to avoid such a fracture in the first place, and that means righting imbalances before it is too late.”
Font’s words were not just philosophical.
They reflected a growing acknowledgment that philanthropy can no longer afford to sidestep uncomfortable truths.
For African philanthropy, they underscore the importance of proactive, deliberate strategies that address both visible and hidden inequities and reinforce long-standing approaches rooted in local knowledge, community leadership, and innovation.
While conversations about decolonizing aid, shifting power, and embracing indigenous knowledge have been central to African philanthropic practice for years, the fact that these themes were addressed prominently in a major European forum offers a valuable mirror.
It validates local approaches, demonstrates the growing global recognition of these perspectives, and provides lessons on how African organizations can lead with confidence and authority.
The Global Acknowledgment—Philanthropy Must Transform Itself
Lisbon underscored a critical insight: philanthropy, as a sector, is not static; it is a work in progress.
Traditional models are increasingly inadequate to address today’s complex societal challenges, ranging from climate change and forced migration to widening economic disparities and democratic backsliding.
European participants reflected on these limitations openly, signaling a willingness to interrogate internal practices, accountability mechanisms, and funding models.
For African philanthropy, this acknowledgment is both instructive and affirming. For decades, local organizations have navigated the realities of scarce resources, complex social challenges, and externally imposed frameworks.
The message from Lisbon is clear: transformation is essential everywhere, and African philanthropy has been innovating in these areas for years.
By observing the Forum, African actors can identify strategies for systemic self-reflection, stronger governance, and the articulation of local leadership models that can influence global philanthropic norms.
This is particularly relevant as the continent continues to advocate for more equitable partnerships with international funders.
The Forum provides a lens through which African philanthropy can both validate its existing approaches and incorporate lessons in strategic influence, accountability, and sector-wide transformation.
A Diagnosis of Imbalance—It’s a Structural Problem
Philea Chief Executive Delphine Moralis provided a clear diagnosis of persistent inequities:
“Today’s conversation connects to a complex web of global and regional factors that reinforce each other, and often boil down to entrenched values, norms, practices, and structures. It connects to everything philanthropy traditionally cares about: from education to gender equality, to racial justice, and so much more. It affects every community supported by philanthropy, and has implications on health, stability, and resilience of entire societies.”
African organizations can draw from this analysis a vital lesson: inequities are not random; they are sustained by systemic structures, even within the philanthropic sector itself.
Recognizing this allows African actors to engage strategically with donors, partners, and networks, asserting that the challenges they face are not only about resource gaps but also about how systems of funding, accountability, and decision-making are structured.
By doing so, African philanthropy can advocate for transformative partnerships that prioritize equity, trust, and local leadership.
The Call to Action—From Discomfort to Radical Change
The Forum repeatedly emphasized that awareness must translate into action.
European participants discussed how discomfort with inequality or power imbalances should catalyze structural change.
An illustrative example, “The Cow that Built a University,” recounted how Botswana’s first university was established by ordinary people with limited resources but immense determination.
For African philanthropy, this reinforces a lesson already familiar: transformative social change requires urgent, decisive action rooted in community realities.
It is a call to convert analysis and reflection into practical interventions that challenge entrenched inequities, build resilience, and support sustainable development.
African actors can interpret this as both validation of their strategies and a prompt to insist on action from international partners who may be slower to respond.
Adaptability—Philanthropy Must Evolve with the Questions of Our Time
The Lisbon discussions also highlighted the need for adaptability in philanthropic approaches.
Societal challenges are evolving rapidly, including climate crises, digital inequities, population shifts, and public health emergencies.
Philanthropy must remain flexible, capable of responding to emerging needs without being constrained by outdated frameworks.
Africa’s dynamic political, demographic, and technological landscape makes this lesson especially relevant.
Organizations must design interventions that are not only evidence-based but also nimble enough to adapt to new realities.
Observing global discussions on adaptability offers strategies to anticipate change, integrate innovative tools, and strengthen resilience in communities, while also providing a platform to share African innovations with international networks.
The Push for Trust-Based Funding—A Universal Imperative
Trust-based and participatory funding models were a major point of discussion at the Forum.
European foundations acknowledged that rigid grantmaking often undermines relationships with grassroots actors, whereas participatory approaches can build mutual accountability and empowerment.
Many African organizations already practice participatory funding models, giving communities agency in decision-making.
Lisbon reinforced the global relevance of such approaches, providing African philanthropy with additional justification for advocating long-term, flexible support from international partners.
By highlighting trust as a core value, African organizations can strengthen their influence in shaping more equitable funding practices globally.
The Megaphone—Amplifying Voices, Not Speaking for Them
Another key lesson from Lisbon was the principle of amplifying, rather than substituting, voices.
Philanthropy should act as a megaphone for communities rather than speaking on their behalf.
For African philanthropy, this echoes long-standing practice: local movements and organizations have always sought visibility and agency for communities they serve.
The Forum’s reflections provide a useful lens for framing partnerships, ensuring international allies help elevate, rather than replace, local leadership.
This lesson reinforces the importance of humility, respect, and authentic collaboration in building sustainable change.
Rethinking Ambitions—A Call to Action from an African Leader
Françoise Moudouthe, CEO of the African Women’s Development Fund, offered a reflection that resonates with African philanthropy:
“Philanthropy needs to rethink its ambitions. Why are we doing what we’re doing, and for what purpose? If we really want to meet the demands of the times, it requires going beyond the symptoms, even beyond the root causes, to ask instead: what are the preconditions for success?”
This insight prompts African organizations to assess purpose, measure impact, and reconsider accountability mechanisms.
It encourages setting standards not only for outputs but for systemic change, ensuring that philanthropic efforts are long-term, locally relevant, and equity-focused.
By internalizing this perspective, African philanthropy can strengthen its leadership in shaping both continental and global philanthropic agendas.
Conclusion: From Lisbon to Leadership
The Philea Forum 2025 offered African philanthropy a mirror and a lens.
While the Forum’s discussions were European in focus, the ideas presented self-transformation, urgent action, adaptability, trust, amplification of voices, and rethinking ambitions are immediately relevant to African contexts.
By reflecting on these lessons, African philanthropy can continue to lead, innovate, and shape a more equitable, accountable, and resilient global sector.
Lisbon demonstrates that the conversation on power and equality is global, but the lessons it offers can be interpreted, adapted, and applied locally.
African actors are in a position to translate these insights into practice, reinforcing the continent’s growing influence in global philanthropy and ensuring that local innovations and leadership are recognized, valued, and scaled.
