ECFR
ECFR is the first pan-European think-tank, its objective is to conduct research and promote informed debate across Europe on the development of coherent and effective European values-based foreign policy. It has no connection to the institutions of the EU and has developed a three pronged strategy.*A pan-European Council. *A physical presence in EU member states. *A distinctive R&D process.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a deficit for the year, with total incoming resources of €8.7m and total resources expended of €9.1m. Despite this, unrestricted reserves stood at €2.25m, which the trustees note is in excess of nine months of operational running costs. The Board has approved a break-even budget for 2025 to maintain these strong reserves.
What the accounts disclose
“€360,000 to €369,999” — page 21
“ECFR is very grateful for the continuing support of the Open Society Foundation for their core funds of €2,497,698” — page 19
“The aim is to invest in reserves until they cover at least four months operational running costs”
“The charity has taken advantage of the exemption not to disclose transactions with entities that are part of the Group by virtue of its status as a subsidiary of the parent whose financial statements are consolidated and are made publicly available.” — page 25
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from €240,000 - €249,999 (FY2023) to €360,000 - €369,999 (FY2024).
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Trustees
- Lykke Friischair
- Adam Thomas Lury
- Ian Clarkson
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £7.4m | £7.7m |
| 31/12/2023 | £6.6m | £6.6m |
| 31/12/2022 | £5.7m | £5.7m |
| 31/12/2021 | £4.6m | £4.0m |
| 31/12/2020 | £5.0m | £4.4m |
Common questions
Is ECFR financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a deficit for the year, with total incoming resources of €8.7m and total resources expended of €9.1m. Despite this, unrestricted reserves stood at €2.25m, which the trustees note is in excess of nine months of operational running costs. The Board has approved a break-even budget for 2025 to maintain these strong reserves. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Azets Audit Services.
What does the highest-paid employee of ECFR earn?
Per its FY2024 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the €360,000 - €369,999 band.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK government | 25/06/2024 | £14k | 400341-402 European Council on Foreign Relations POLANDS OUTLOOK ON ECONOMIC SECURITY AND WARSAWS CHINA POLICY: AMBITIONS AND VULNERABILITIES |
| ARCADIA | — | £257k | Towards core costs |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| KHODORKOVSKY FOUNDATION | 1 | £9.9m |
| THE JOSEPH ROWNTREE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £110k |
| THE COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS | 1 | £30k |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST NICHOLAS, SEVENOAKS | 1 | £11k |
| SEEDFIELD TRUST | 1 | £1k |
| Wellsprings Community Church | 1 | £0 |
Charities like this
- EUROPEAN CONSORTIUM FOR POLITICAL RESEARCH
- CARF EUROPE
- THE CENTRE FOR ECONOMIC POLICY RESEARCH
- NEW EURASIA STRATEGIES CENTRE
- THE MITSUBISHI CORPORATION FOUNDATION FOR EMEA CIO
- EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP NETWORK
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECFR | £7.4m | €360,000 - €369,999 | — | above | — | no doubt |
| EUROPEAN CONSORTIUM FOR POLITICAL RESEARCH | £2.2m | £90,001 - £100,000 | 4 | below | — | no doubt |
| CARF EUROPE | £61k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE CENTRE FOR ECONOMIC POLICY RESEARCH | £7.5m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NEW EURASIA STRATEGIES CENTRE | £234k | £150,001 - £160,000 | 1 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE MITSUBISHI CORPORATION FOUNDATION FOR EMEA CIO | £886k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |