From Trust-Based to Evidence-Based Philanthropy
At a time when trust is fragile, evidence is becoming essential.
Featuring John Elkington — pioneer of the Triple Bottom Line and global thought leader in sustainability
Moving from annual reports to real-time impact, radical transparency and public accountability
A global forum for philanthropic foundations and CSR leaders exploring how evidence-based impact, full donation transparency and community engagement are redefining philanthropy and impact finance. Anchored by the vision of John Elkington on systems change and the future of philanthropy.
Speakers
John Elkington
Founder and Global Ambassador, Volans
Pioneer of the Triple Bottom Line. Author, advisor and entrepreneur helping business regenerate.
Amanda Feldman
Managing Director & Head of Impact Engagement, Sonen Capital
Co-founder of the Impact Management Project. Expert in outcomes-based funding and systemic innovation.
Ariadna Bardolet
International Programs Director, Fundación "la Caixa"
Leading international initiatives across Africa, Asia and Latin America, overseeing more than 700 projects.
Brunno Maradei
Development and Impact Finance Specialist, Humaterra Advisory
Sustainable finance leader with 25+ years across investment banking, development finance and asset management.
Tiago Matos Fernandes
Lawyer & International Development Consultant, Sfera Legal / Linking Partners
Career focused on development programmes across climate, energy, digital government and civil society funding.
Patrice dos Santos
Senior Expert in NGO Fundraising
20+ years of international experience across philanthropy, public policy and sustainability.
Event Details
When: April 16, 2026 — 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (CET)
Speakers:
- John Elkington — (Keynote) — Founder and Global Ambassador
- Amanda Feldman — Managing Director & Head of Impact Engagement
- Ariadna Bardolet — International Programs Director
- Brunno Maradei — Development and Impact Finance Specialist
- Tiago Matos Fernandes — (Host) — Lawyer & International Development Consultant
- Patrice dos Santos — (Moderator) — Senior Expert in NGO Fundraising
Where: Online @ Microsoft Teams
Join the conversation on April 16
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Why join this forum
Evidence-Based Philanthropy
Discover how leading funders are moving beyond trust-based models — informed by John Elkington's vision on systems change, accountability and the next era of philanthropy.
Peer Learning at Decision-Maker Level
Engage directly with CSR leaders, foundations and philanthropic funders to exchange practical insights on what is actually working in impact finance today.
Engagement as Infrastructure
Explore how engagement-driven platforms are becoming the backbone of scalable, credible social and environmental impact — far beyond traditional reporting.
Event Schedule
Welcome & Setting the Context
Why traditional philanthropy is being challenged — and why transparency, engagement and evidence now matter more than ever.
Keynote: The Next Era of Philanthropy
John Elkington — author of the Triple Bottom Line — on systems change, the limits of trust-based models and the future of credible, accountable impact.
From Vision to Practice
How evidence-based transparency and real-time impact tracking are applied in real social and environmental projects.
High-Impact Projects as Living Proof
Three project leaders share how evidence-based impact can work in practice.
Panel: Funding the Future of Impact
Corporate and philanthropic funders discuss what they expect, what they no longer fund and how they assess credibility today.
From Conversation to Commitment
Ambassador pitches, co-creation opportunities for 2026 and beyond, and optional expressions of interest.
Closing: A Call to Build, Not Just Fund
Key takeaways from ZEW and John Elkington, and invitation to the Lisbon 2026 in-person forum.
Networking Conversations
Small group discussions to enhance networking and collaboration.
About ZEW
At ZEW, we believe that transparency builds trust, trust drives action, and action creates impact. Our platform transforms giving into a clear, engaging experience with real evidence on the ground.
Our Mission
Accelerate global impact and the UN SDGs 2030. NGOs create impact.
We ensure transparency, communication, and community engagement.
