Companies and citizens contribute to community development through philanthropy

ual philanthropy, and Award for young philanthropists.

“When we talk about philanthropy development in Serbia, it can be said that there has been a shift in the very understanding of the idea of philanthropy. This is also confirmed by the fact that philanthropic giving is constantly increasing, that we jumped from the bottom of the World Giving Index to 27th position in the previous two years, and that people under the age of 30 increasingly show solidarity with vulnerable individuals and groups in our society”, said Marija Mitrović, Philanthropy and Partnerships Director at Trag Foundation, which is awarding the VIRTUS Award for Philanthropy for the sixteenth time this year.

In how many categories is the VIRTUS Award being presented?

VIRTUS Award for 2022 will be presented in the following categories: Award for corporate philanthropy, Award for small and medium-sized enterprises, Award for a long-term partnership between business and the civil sector, Award for individ-

With young people being increasingly engaged in charitable actions, we desire to pay special attention to those who have shown great willingness to make positive changes in their communities by doing good deeds.

How do individuals practice philanthropy, and how do companies perceive it?

When initiating philanthropic activities, individual donors are deeply motivated by emotions and a genuine desire to help people in need, mostly children, those seeking medical treatment, and the poverty-stricken. Companies aim their philanthropic activities mostly towards community development, the benefits of these actions are more longterm, intended for a larger number of beneficiaries, and are often related to their core business. While citizens are mostly oriented toward giving money, companies donate goods and services, and their employees often volunteer their time and expertise. Trag Foundation wishes to encourage as many companies and enterprises as possible to engage in philanthropic activities through long-term solutions which will be beneficial to a larger number of people.

What contributed the most to the philanthropy development in Serbia?

Several factors influenced philanthropy development in Serbia. Among many is the arrival of a large number of international companies, which showcased socially responsible business behavior that is further being adopted and improved by numerous domestic enterprises. An important factor has been the establishment of a large number of foundations, which have launched numerous philanthropic initiatives over the years, often in cooperation with both domestic and foreign companies. Last but not least, the media played a significant role in building trust in initiators of philanthropic actions and increasing transparency of their charitable initiatives by informing the general public about all relevant aspects of their doing for the common good.

How does the Trag Foundation cooperate with citizens’ associations?

Trag is a regional foundation operating in Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. For 24 years, it has been supporting and encouraging citizens to actively participate in the development of the local communities they live and operate. The Trag Foundation empowers people who believe that joint initiatives can create a big impact and want to be drivers of positive change in their communities. Over the past two decades, the Trag Foundation has invested more than 15 million US dollars of direct assistance to over 1,700 successful projects in more than 250 local communities across Serbia and the region.

Nominations for the VIRTUS Award can be submitted until February 14th, while more information about the competition can be found at the following link: www.tragfondacija.org/virtus-nagrada