Since 2013, the European Crowdfunding Network AISBL (ECN) has supported the development of crowdfunding markets in Europe at large. The association has contributed independent expertise to the alignment of national and EU regulatory frameworks affecting crowdfunding, including work related to the Prospectus regime, the ECSPR, and MiCA, as well as to the emergence of new policy-enabled practices such as match-funding.
ECN exists to provide a framework for potential future policy, research, or networking work, ensuring legal independence from commercial activities.
Role and Scope
The association currently has operational activities with regard to EC project management. It may design actions and strategies to engage, convene, and contribute to the future development of crowdfunding by addressing regulatory, policy, and market-structure issues.
ECN:
- may contribute evidence-based input to public policy and regulatory discussions;
- may support fair, competitive, and well-functioning crowdfunding markets;
- may facilitate policy dialogue, research, and knowledge exchange across stakeholders.
ECN does not:
- represent crowdfunding platforms or market participants;
- speak on behalf of the industry;
- aggregate or promote commercial positions;
- act as a trade association, lobby group, or collective representative body.
The association remains independent from crowdfunding platforms and does not act as their collective representative voice in the market.
Independence and Competition Safeguards
The European Crowdfunding Network AISBL is governed by an executive board elected by its full members, who act in an individual and non-representative capacity. The association does not include active operational roles from crowdfunding platforms or industry players. Its governance structure is designed to prevent dominance by any single market actor or commercial interest. ECN seeks better market conditions irrespective of the views or interests of individual platforms or groups thereof and does not permit anti-competitive conduct in connection with its name, activities, or outputs.
Mission, Vision, Purpose
- Mission – To help promote and advance crowdfunding as a key enabler of inclusive, transparent, and sustainable access to finance for innovation, entrepreneurship, and social good across Europe.
- Vision – A Europe where crowdfunding serves as a cornerstone of alternative finance, empowering startups, SMEs, and social projects while contributing to economic, social, and environmental progress.
- Purpose – To support the development of European policy and regulatory frameworks affecting crowdfunding by shaping informed debate, building capacity, and fostering knowledge exchange among stakeholders to strengthen the sector’s role in sustainable growth and innovation.
Board of Directors
The European Crowdfunding Network AISBL is directed by an administrative and executive board, which holds overall strategic and administrative authority, represents the organisation before public and private authorities, and ensures that its objectives are pursued in a prudent and independent manner. Board appointments and mandates are published in accordance with Belgian association law via the Moniteur Belge.
Current Board Members
- Oliver Gajda — Chairman and Executive Director
- Lawrence Claes — Treasurer
- Megan Blair — Secretary
Legal & Governance Note
The European Crowdfunding Network AISBL is an independent, non-profit association established under Belgian law. It does not operate as a trade association, industry body, or representative organisation. Participation in its activities does not imply membership in a representative sense, endorsement, affiliation, or influence over policy positions.
The association does not provide commercial services and does not act on behalf of clients, platforms, or market participants. All commercial and service-related activities are carried out separately by EUROCROWD BV.
Any references to crowdfunding service providers, market actors, or regulatory frameworks are made strictly for informational, analytical, or policy-related purposes and do not imply representation, advocacy of commercial interests, or coordinated market behaviour.