The European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) has published an article highlighting the need for modern and coherent legal frameworks for enterprise foundations. The blog post, entitled ‘Europe’s quiet champions of responsible ownership deserve better law’, was published on 21 January 2026.

In the article, the authors draw attention to enterprise foundations as a distinctive ownership model underpinning some of Europe’s most successful companies. These non-profit entities combine long-term business ownership with public-interest or philanthropic objectives and contribute to stable ownership, patient capital and responsible corporate governance. Despite their economic and societal importance, enterprise foundations remain unevenly regulated across Europe, as national foundation laws are often designed for traditional grant-making charities. This results in legal uncertainty and barriers to cross-border activity.

Against this background, the article presents ELI’s European Enterprise Foundations Model Law as a practical legislative toolkit for policymakers. The model law offers a flexible framework that can be adapted to different national legal traditions, while promoting responsible ownership, transparency and accountability. It recognises enterprise foundations as engaged, long-term owners and places particular emphasis on sound governance, effective but proportionate supervision and principles of tax neutrality.

The European Corporate Governance Institute is an international research organization dedicated to improving corporate governance and stewardship worldwide through evidence-based research, thought leadership and dialogue among academics, policymakers, investors and corporate leaders.