We are an independent & impact driven foundation that accelerates, catalyses, connects and communicates civil society initiatives in arts and culture - rethinking and building Europe as an open, inclusive and democratic space. Our vision Culture is an invaluable resource for a positive future in Europe. The space where we understand how we can live together, understand our identities, and make it our home. We want to re-think and build Europe as an open, inclusive and democratic space. Our mission ECF nurtures a socially engaged and culturally rooted civil society across Europe. We are committed to making a tangible impact on civil society, citizen initiatives, public opinion and policy proposals, and combat the fragmenting forces jeopardizing peace and social progress in Europe. Our work We support cultural changemakers and their projects through our grants, exchanges, online platforms and incubator programmes. We highlight stellar examples of culture as a force of positive change through the ECF Princess Margriet Award for Culture. We connect the local to the European, the grassroots to the policy, and facilitate collaboration. ECF is grateful for the longstanding partnership with the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds. As a result of this partnership ECF acknowledges the annual financial contribution – via the Cultuurfonds – from the BankGiro Loterij and Nederlandse Loterij.