National Foundation for Civil Society Development, in collaboration with the European Foundation for Philanthropy and Social Development as the coordinator of the Croatian Foundations Forum ZaDobro.BIT!, has for the tenth time participated in the celebration of the European Day of Foundations and Donors during Philanthropy Week 2025.
City of Zadar had the honor of hosting the central ceremony, held on September 25, 2025, in the form of a full-day event titled "Let's Do Good Leaving our Heartprint".
In addition to the central program in Zadar, Philanthropy Week continues to be celebrated throughout the Republic of Croatia through various activities organized by participating foundations, lasting until October 1, 2025. A review of all remaining events is available in the Event Calendar.
The central ceremony of the European Day of Foundations and Donors gathered more than 50 children from 9 primary schools from different parts of Croatia, who were awarded the "Heartprint" for their successful activities promoting solidarity, community well-being, and sustainable development through the DoGood and sCOOLFOOD programs. The ceremony was opened with a speech by Mr. Mladen Klanac, Head of Social Welfare and Health in the City of Zadar, and was followed by addresses from Mr. Dražen Vikić-Topić, Chairman of the Board of the National Foundation, Mr. Momir Karin, Envoy of the Minister of Science, Education, and Youth, and Mr. Marko Pavić, Member of Parliament and Head of the Croatian Parliament Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Other speakers included Ms. Cvjetana Plavša Matić, Manager of the National Foundation, Mr. Ignacio Barriendos Hoppichler, Founder and Director of DoGood People, and Ms. Adriana Grubelić, Envoy of the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Paola Trichila.
As part of the full-day event "Let's Do Good Leaving our Heartprint", students participated in activities through which they further developed plans for future actions within the framework of sustainable development.
European Day of Foundations and Donors – #October1Europe – is dedicated to recognizing the key role of foundations in Europe and the world. This day emphasizes their indispensable contribution to fostering and supporting initiatives, innovations, as well as long-term programs that build trust and invest in social development through culture, youth action, environmental protection, social welfare, 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 fighting social inequalities and the need to raise awareness of these issues from an early age. This is exactly what the "Let's Do Good Leaving our Heartprint" Program, focused on children and youth, addresses. Through this year’s celebration of European Day of Foundations and Donors, citizens are invited to collectively and actively reflect on the future we want – sustainable and just, for both people and the planet. This is an opportunity to show the significant impact philanthropy can have and how bold thinking and innovative activities, driven by hope, can inspire real change and shape a world where equality is a reality we truly live.
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