The Role of Private Foundations and Philanthropy for a Sustainable Europe

Blühendes Österreich - BILLA Charitable Private Foundation celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2025. Blühendes Österreich supports two pillars of sustainable development with its work: It contributes to biodiversity and nature conservation in Europe and strengthens the the non-profit and civil society sector in Austria. Blühendes Österreich uses it´s tenth anniversary as an opportunity to invite international speakers and discuss European and global developments in the biodiversity sector and the role of private charitable foundations in the sustainability sector.

The Event ist organised together with European Parliament Information Office in Austria and Association of Charitable Foundations Austria

Moderator: Claudia Reiterer

AGENDA

Opening and Welcome Address

• Maria Patek, Blühendes Österreich, Former Minister of Environment of Austria
• Günther Lutschinger, Association of Charitable Foundations Austria

PANEL I: Nature Positive – How to connect Food Systems and Biodiversity?

The panel guests will discuss where we stand in Europe and globally in terms of the ambitious goal of reconciling a more sustainable food supply and the goals of the biodiversity strategy of the European Union and the global biodiversity targets of the UN Biodiversity Convention.

Keynote: Verena Kraus (UNEP Finance Initiative)

Panelists:

• Alexander Bernhuber, Member of the European Parliament
• Verena Kraus, UNEP Finance Initiative
• Pia Malia, Team European Business and Biodiversity Platform
• Robert Nagele, Board Member BILLA AG and Blühendes Österreich
• Alice Vadrot, University of Vienna, IPBES Focal Point Austria

PANEL II: Private Foundations & Philanthropy – A Requirement of Responsibility

At a time when we are grappling with enormous problems related to the climate and biodiversity crisis, while inequality is increasing and the democratic model is being directly challenged, companies and their non-profit organizations can take responsibility. We will discuss how businesses and philanthropists can build trust-based foundations that serve as a toolkit for reform and innovation within our democratic system, and how philanthropic initiatives can be reliable partners for public authorities.

Keynote: Martin Kotynek, CEO Media Forward Fund gGmbH

Panelists:

• Marcel Haraszti, CEO REWE International AG
• Martin Kotynek, CEO Media Forward Fund gGmbH
• Sabine Nallinger, Board Member Stiftung KlimaWirtschaft
• Evelyn Regner, Member of the European Parliament
• Suba Umathevan, CEO Drosos Foundation Switzerland

Get together and networking

Copyright: Romolo Tavani / www.adobestock.com

More information about the event on our website: bluehendesoesterreich.at/summit (Information about speakers will be updated continuously)