Macedonians Respond with Enthusiasm to Philanthropic Challenge
The Center for Institutional Development (CIRa), one of the key implementing partners of the USAID-funded Civil Society Strengthening Project, recently undertook a groundbreaking program to encourage philanthropy among Macedonian companies and individuals. The overall goal of the USAID project is to make Macedonia’s civil society a more effective, influential, and permanent partner alongside Government and the business sector in contributing to the country’s progress.
To boost private-sector philanthropy, CIRa issued a challenge to individuals and businesses by offered a 1:1 match for each denar donated to 13 participating NGOs, ranging from youth organizations to humanitarian assistance and environmental protection institutions. The results were unprecedented; in just six months, more than 300 citizens and companies throughout Macedonia collectively donated over 2 million denars (nearly US$60,000) to support community-based projects and almost 150 citizens volunteered their time.
Support raised helped to improve children’s hospitals and playroom facilities, enabled Roma children to enroll in primary schools, provided business training to unemployed youth, installed waste processing systems in primary schools, and provided computer training to persons with disabilities. Further, these impressive results demonstrate that the Macedonian public is eager to contribute their time and resources to NGOs when they understand the need and see tangible results.
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