find out more about what Philanthropy in Bosnia and Herzegovina represents and what are the philanthropic activities of the Strength of the Local project and our partner organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Philanthropy is giving for general and humanitarian purposes, helping with money or goods, but also with knowledge, skill and expertise.

It is based on personal and social values such as fairness, charity, solidarity and responsibility. Also on moral principles, love, empathy and kindness for others.

What is philanthropy?

Philanthropy, as an activity of donating a part of one’s (private) property, funds, time, knowledge and effort, for the general and permanent good of the local community. It is the common denominator of all activities that could be characterized as philanthropic.

Philanthropy and philanthropic activities do not only mean donating (food, time, effort, work), they mean action aimed at the well-being of the community and man.

Philanthropy in BiH

Philanthropy is, officially, an unknown term in the activities of civil society organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This term is not defined in the regulations, nor are organizations dealing with philanthropy specifically defined.

In practice, it has been shown that in Bosnia and Herzegovina the term philanthropy is most often identified with humanitarian action.

However, more than 200 members of the Peacebuilding Network – at least in one part implement and carry out activities that could be characterized as philanthropic, even though they are not humanitarian organizations.

What is philanthropy?

Figuratively speaking, donating a scholarship to a student is an act of humanitarian nature. Establishing a scholarship fund – represents philanthropy.

Reconstruction of a house for living, for a certain family or individual – is a humanitarian act. Building or reconstructing a school or library, which is used by the community, is an act of philanthropy.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, philanthropy and philanthropic activities are implemented and advocated by private foundations. Also companies that nurture the concept of socially responsible business.

Activities that are carried out

Currently, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, several organizations, led by the MOZAIK foundation, are trying to gather the most important actors in one place.

At the same time, with the financial support of USAID, improve the legal framework for philanthropic activity.

The Peace Building Network participates in these activities, and also carries out its own.

In researching the world’s leading practices, the Peacebuilding Network and partners agree that philanthropy is not just actions – philanthropy is also an emanation of the highest values that an organization, its membership and sympathizers can have.

Sveobuhvatna studija o filantropiji u Bosni i Hercegovini

“JAMI” donated 860 kg of its products to “Merhamet’s” soup kitchen in Maglaj

MAGLAJ, March 16 – The regional board of “Merhamet” Maglaj received a valuable donation from the company “JAMI” from Tešanj. This socially responsible company and a permanent donor of “Merhamet” donated more than 860 kilograms of its products to “Merhamet’s” soup kitchen in Maglaj. This donation followed after the Maglaj Municipal Council, at the suggestion of the […]

SAZNAJ VIŠE

Majlis of the Islamic Community of Maglaj by donated meals for 152 users, and imams helped the work of “Merhamet’s” soup kitchen with membership fees

MAGLAJ, March 12 – The main imam of the Majlis of the Islamic Community of Maglaj, m.r. Nevres ef. Hodžić, accompanied by muallima Amira Talić, visited the Regional Committee of “Merhamet” in Maglaj. On that occasion, the directors of the Regional Board of “Merhamet” Maglaj provided a donation for one meal for 152 users of “Merhamet” soup[…]

SAZNAJ VIŠE

“Mozaik prijateljstva” needs food donations

The humanitarian association “Mozaik prijateljstva” from Banja Luka needs food for their soup kitchen. “Due to the overall situation, our soup kitchen is already in a catastrophically difficult situation. Our food supplies that we always had at least in some reserves have reached literally the bottom. Empty cupboards that do not contain rice, pasta, salt, sugar, oil,[…]

SAZNAJ VIŠE

Former students renovating the house of their favorite geography teacher

E. Skokić This is another example of multiethnic cooperation of citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Solidarity Fund “Hasna”, headed by Vahidin Mulamustafić, recently launched an action to renovate the house of Todor Dmitrović, a longtime geography teacher at the “Braća Lazić” Elementary School in Janja. Teacher Todor remained in the fondest memories of generations of students,[…]

SAZNAJ VIŠE

“Šarena čarapica” – organic food store in honor of the boy with Down syndrome wins the hearts of citizens of Visoko

(Photo: E. M./Klix.ba) Young people from Visoko, Ervin and Lejla Šeta, brought a ray of light and hope to their city during the coronavirus pandemic. They opened a shop “Šarena čarapica” which, in addition to handmade/organic products, is filled with a lot of love since the store was given a symbolic name because of their three-year-old son[…]

SAZNAJ VIŠE

The first “Merhamet’s” bakery opened in Tuzla, which will produce bread for 2,400 users of the “Imaret” Soup Kitchen

TUZLA, February 24 – Today, the Muslim charity organization “Merhamet” opened its first bakery in Tuzla, within its Soup Kitchen “Imaret”, which operates under the auspices of the Regional Board “Merhamet” Tuzla. A total of around 120,000 BAM was invested in the construction of “Merhamet’s” bakery. 91,475 BAM was provided by “Merhamet’s” partner organization “LDS Charities”, while[…]

SAZNAJ VIŠE