From Good Deeds to Great Impact
Belgrade, March 23rd, 2023 – The Trag Foundation has once again shone a spotlight on the champions of giving as it proudly announces the winners of the prestigious VIRTUS Award for Philanthropy for the 17th consecutive year. These exceptional individuals, companies, and enterprises have dedicated themselves to uplifting their communities through generosity, inspiring countless others to follow in their altruistic footsteps.
Distinguished guests, including Mr. John Ginkel, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Serbia, Ms. Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Mr. Dominic Otway, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Serbia, Ms. Gordana Delić, Director of the Balkan Trust for Democracy, and the remarkable Ida Prester, singer-songwriter and activist, graced the ceremony, presenting accolades to our deserving winners.
In corporate philanthropy, MK Group from Belgrade stood out, while Homa Fine Dining and Bistrot from Belgrade claimed the spotlight for small and medium-sized enterprises. DP Zaliv d.o.o. from Crvenka was honored for its exemplary long-term partnership between business and the civil sector. Individual philanthropy saw Miroslav Đorđević from Novi Sad as a beacon of generosity, while Andrea Ćirić from Kraljevo was awarded for her selfless contribution reserved for the youngest philanthropists.
The focus on empowering women and girls was celebrated with company Vega IT of Novi Sad receiving the Thematic Focus Award for corporate contribution and Jovana Ružičić from Belgrade recognized for her individual contribution to this target group.
Special awards were bestowed upon Miodrag Kostić for endowment development, Slobodan Majstorac for his exceptional humanity, Nina Ninković for her tireless promotion of philanthropy, and Ana Veljković for her contribution to the promotion of female entrepreneurship.
The Diplomacy&Commerce magazine was awarded a certificate of appreciation for its media contribution to the realization of the VIRTUS award for philanthropy for the year 2023.
For 25 remarkable years, the Trag Foundation has championed the spirit of giving, fostering a culture of philanthropy that ignites positive change throughout society. By honoring these exemplary individuals and organizations, the foundation inspires us all to build stronger, more compassionate communities actively. Together, we forge a path towards a fairer and more inclusive society for everyone to thrive.
The VIRTUS Award for 2023 is realized with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the OAK Foundation, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.