"Citizens are much more humane than data and trends show"

The citizens of Serbia are much more humane than the data and trends show, we want to make it more real and more visible, Veran Matic said at the beginning of the interview.

At your initiative, Philanthropy Council was established in the Government of Serbia, you are co-chairing that body. Why was the Council established and what do you expect to change in the activities of the Council in the field of philanthropy?

VERAN MATIC: The Philanthropy Council was established by Prime Minister Ana Brnabic at the initiative of the Coalition for Charity, after years of work of a number of foundations and non-governmental organizations in the field of creating conditions for improving the conditions for philanthropy, CSR development, charity. The greatly gained experience of these organizations required a more serious step towards the realization of a series of proposals to improve the conditions for dealing with philanthropy. This was not possible with individual initiatives, but it was necessary to create a direct dialogue between the representatives of the relevant ministries and the Cabinet of the Prime Minister with the representatives of the non-governmental sector, foundations and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, through a joint body within which the initiatives and proposals for legislative changes, changes in regulations and other solutions, which will create better conditions for the development of philanthropy at all levels. As there is great dynamics when it comes to supporting start-up business and innovative projects, we will strive to create adequate support for the development of incubators for charity, to create some balance between economic development and the development of philanthropy and socially responsible business,...