Why Transform? A Changing Migration and Philanthropic Landscape

In this piece for the Center for Effective Philanthropy, EPIM’s co-directors Sophie Ngo-Diep and Hrishabh Sandilya and former chair Raphaela Schweiger share EPIM’s transformation story and what it means to reimagine collaborative philanthropy in today’s world.

In 2021, EPIM began a bold transformation. After 16 years of conventional grantmaking, we reimagined our role, structure and strategy to respond to a more complex and fragmented migration landscape in Europe.

We shifted towards shared decision-making, bottom-up programming and a commitment to deeper collaboration and trust. Today, EPIM sees itself as a catalyst and curator of the migration ecosystem – working across borders and sectors to foster long-term, systemic change.

This journey has not been without risk. But as we reflect on what we’ve learned, we believe our transformation holds relevance for others working at the intersection of migration and philanthropy.

EPIM’s CEE Network Gathering in Bratislava, May 2024. Photo: Elizabeth Novacek

In this piece for the Center for Effective Philanthropy, Sophie Ngo-Diep (she/her), Hrishabh Sandilya and our former chair Raphaela Schweiger share EPIM’s transformation story and what it means to reimagine collaborative philanthropy in today’s world.

Read the full piece here.

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