National Foundation for Civil Society Development, in cooperation with the European Foundation for Philanthropy and Social Development as the coordinator of the Croatian Foundation Forum ZaDobro.BIT!, is, for the tenth time, participating in the celebration of European Day of Foundations and Donors during the Philanthropy Week, from September 24 to October 1, 2025 (Event Calendar).
Members of the Croatian Foundation Forum ZaDobroBIT!, listed in the Event Calendar, are organizing numerous activities aimed at motivating as many citizens as possible to contribute to the further development of philanthropy in Croatia through their own engagement.
The city of Zadar will have the honor of hosting the central ceremony, which will be held on September 25, 2025 as a full-day event titled: “Doing Good with the Heart’s Print”.
This event will bring together more than 50 children from 9 primary schools from all over Croatia, who will be awarded the "Heart Print" awards for their successful activities promoting solidarity, community well-being, and sustainable development through the DoGood and sCOOLFOOD programs. The sCOOLFOOD program is the Croatian version of an international initiative designed and implemented by the Monte dei Paschi di Siena Foundation since 2016 in the Siena province (Italy), and the National Foundation has been running the program in cooperation with interested schools since 2022. The program teaches children and youth about the connections between food sustainability, the environment, nutrition, agriculture, energy, lifestyles, and waste reduction, in line with global sustainable development goals and the UN Sustainable Development Program through 2030. Schools across Croatia that participated in the sCOOLFOOD program during the second semester of the 2024/2025 school year will receive the "Heart Print" award.
After the awards ceremony, students will publicly present the results of their activities, and the program will continue with activities focused on students, where they will further develop plans for future actions within the framework of sustainable development.
The European Day of Foundations and Donors – #October1Europe – is dedicated to recognizing the key role of foundations in Europe and the world. This day highlights their essential contribution to supporting and fostering initiatives, innovations, and long-term programs that build trust and invest in social development through culture, youth action, environmental protection, social care, education, health prevention, human rights promotion and protection, and the development of modern, green, and inclusive local communities.
This year’s #October1Europe takes place under the overarching theme "Towards equality as a lived reality", which reminds us of the importance of combating social inequalities and the need to raise awareness on these issues from an early age. This is exactly the focus of the "Doing Good with the Heart’s Print" program, aimed at children and youth. Through this year’s celebration of European Day of Philanthropy and Foundations, citizens are invited to reflect together and actively consider the future we want – sustainable and just, both for people and the planet. This is an opportunity to show how impactful philanthropy can be and how courageous thinking and innovative activities, guided by hope, can spark real change and shape a world where equality is a reality we truly live.
