Belgrade, June 28, 2021 – The fourth Philanthropy Festival and the thirteenth volunteering event Our Belgrade started on June 28th with a Philanthropic BizQuiz game for representatives of socially responsible companies, non-profit organizations, student organizations and the media, which in an interesting way tested their knowledge about philanthropy.
“Both Philanthropy Festival and Our Belgrade are significant because they gather numerous individuals and responsible companies in promoting philanthropy and volunteerism. I want to thank all the citizens from Serbia and diaspora who, together with companies, donated 90 million EUR for the public good in challenging 2020”, said Jelena Avramović, Project Management Specialist, USAID
The Philanthropy Festival, which promotes the culture and the importance of giving, was this year organized in partnership with over 15 organizations and companies in period June 28-July 2 with a specific focus on promoting food donations. The Festival gathered citizens of all ages, civil society organizations, companies and media through a five-day program of various online activities and events in Belgrade and Novi Sad. On various points throughout the Festival in both cities, citizens were able to donate food and other items to the most vulnerable or to participate in other educational activities.
“The philanthropic history of Serbia is very rich. There are many great examples of philanthropy, starting from individuals, regardless of their material wealth or their social status, to larger corporations. This proves that this country already has elements of a strong culture of giving, which we need to strengthen, because it will be one of the most valuable legacies that our descendants will be proud of. That is why I invite everyone to join the festival and celebrate philanthropy”, said Ana Koeshall, Director, Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation
An annual corporate volunteering event Our Belgrade has also started on June 28th. This traditional event, organized for the thirteenth time, brings together numerous companies’ employees that make positive changes in their communities. This year, throughout the month of July, employees from member companies of Responsible Business Forum will engage to help civil society organizations on eight locations across the city of Belgrade.
Philanthropy Festival was organized by Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation and Our Belgrade is organized by Responsible Business Forum and Smart Kolektiv as a part of the Framework for Giving project, funded by USAID and implemented by the Coalition for Giving led by the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation. Other Coalition members include the Trag Foundation, Catalyst Balkans, SMART Kolektiv, the Serbian Philanthropy Forum, the Responsible Business Forum, and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
