There is a distinction between the short-term and long-term effects of giving.
Short-term giving focuses on addressing immediate needs and providing temporary relief. It offers direct assistance to those in crisis, such as emergency aid, food, or shelter. The impact of short-term giving is often temporary. On the other hand, long-term giving takes a more strategic approach. It aims to empower individuals and communities to overcome challenges by addressing the underlying causes of their issues. Rather than providing quick fixes, long-term giving focuses on sustainable solutions. It may involve initiatives like education programs, vocational training, or capacity-building efforts that equip individuals with the skills and resources needed to create lasting change.
According to Catalyst Balkans' data, Kosovo's dominant type of giving is short-term donations. From the beginning of 2020 to the end of 2022, citizens and companies in Kosovo donated more than 13,870,352 euros through 2,676 instances of giving. The same data shows that 8,016,065 euros and 2,148 donation instances were short-term donations.
Causes that were supported the most through short-term donations in the period 2020-2022 were poverty reduction (4,1 million euros donated), support to marginalized groups (410 thousand euros), seasonal giving (260 thousand euros), and healthcare and medical treatments (2.7 million euros).
In the rest of the article, read some of the success stories and examples of short-term giving in Kosovo.
Giving for poverty reduction
Humanitarian Association “Bereqeti” is often supported with short-term donations. In 2022, the organization received a significant donation of clothes from “Hil Group Sh.p.k.” The donated clothes were intended for people in economic need. The total value of the donation was over 40,000 euros, and the clothes were delivered to people in economic need by the branches of the association “Bereqeti”.
Another example is a story about a group of donors from the diaspora who donated 900 euros to buy 310 packages of flour for beneficiaries of the Humanitarian Association “Bereqeti”.
One more example is the "Toy Retrieval" campaign, organized by the toy store “The Entertainer Kosovo”. The store has collected many toys dedicated to the organization “Happy Mothers and Children.” Citizens donated the toys. In addition, for each donated toy, the store allocated 0.50 euros to the organization. In addition to many toys, 1,000 euros were reached, and all the toys and money collected were donated to the organization “Happy Mothers and Children”.
Support to marginalized groups
Marginalized groups are also often supported through short-term effects donations. In 2022, “NLB Bank” donated didactic materials and inventories, which are essential tools to treat children with communication disorders, cognitive disorders, and voice and swallowing disorders, to the Speech Therapy Cabinet at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo. Also, the Bank has distributed gifts to associations to care for children with disabilities in various cities of Kosovo, such as "The Handikos," "Pema," "Down Syndrome Kosova" association, and the "Mother Teresa" resource center.
Another example is from 2020. With the support of their donors' association, “Balkans Orphans” has delivered financial support each month for families with orphans. During 2020, the total collected and delivered amount reached 41.887 euros. The donors were individuals from Kosovo or living in the diaspora.
Giving for healthcare and medical treatments
Citizens and companies in Kosovo are dedicated to helping individuals with health issues and supporting healthcare in Kosovo.
The Humanitarian Foundation "Avni Hyseni" is known for fundraising to help persons with health issues. In 2022, the foundation donated 3,000 euros for the treatment of K.M. from Deçan while calling others to contribute as the total fee of the treatment is 50,000 euros.
Some of the donation instances of the "Avni Hyseni" foundation that stood out in terms of the raised amount in 2021 include the foundation's call for the treatment of L.U., who suffered from heart disease and lived abroad. Local donors and donors from the diaspora raised 32,000 euros. Another successful call for donations raised 23,000 euros for treating a six-year-old child in Turkey.
The same year, in just two days, Labinot Tahiri Foundation raised more than 100,000 euros with the citizens of Ferizaj to treat E.Xh. and F.G., injured in the gas cylinder explosion in Ferizaj.
Seasonal giving
Seasonal giving is the most common example of short-term donations. The periods when these donations are dominant are New Year holidays, religious holidays, or some important international days. Find concrete examples in the rest of the article.
In 2020, the Association “Peja in New York” helped 280 families in Kosovo for the end-of-year holidays with the support of funds donated by its members in the diaspora. The value of the package donated to each family was over 40 euros. In addition to the food package, 25 kg of flour was donated to these families. The same year, “Berisha Group,” on the end of the year holidays, distributed 47 gifts to the children of SOS Children's Villages Kosovo and food packages to 13 young people of SOS Village who are going through the phase of self-independence.
During the same year, the Petrol Company donated 30 food packages for families in need from Vitia. The donation was made to the campaign Sofra e Ramazanit led by the Association “Bereqeti” and Islamic Community in Kosovo to mark the month of Ramadan and help families in need.
One of the numerous examples from 2021 is the donation of “Devolli Corporation,” which delivered gift packages to the centers of the “Down Syndrome Kosova Association” in Prishtina, Mitrovica, Ferizaj, Prizren, and the city of Gjilan. Another example is The Bank for Business which organized a celebration of the year holidays on the premises of “Down Syndrome Kosova,” where the company surprised the members of “Down Syndrome Kosova” by delivering new year's gift packages distributed by Santa Claus to all children who use the services of this association.
Ramadan is also often an occasion for seasonal giving. For example, in 2021, the chain of restaurants "Be Happy," which is a brand of Petrol Company, in honor of the month of Ramadan for the second time has prepared iftar (dinner) for 77 residents in the Home for the Elderly in Pristina.
The Petrol Company also often marks important international days by donating and showing corporate social responsibility. For example, on the occasion of June 1, International Children's Day, in 2021, the Petrol Company donated 101 bags of school supplies and mascots for 101 children to the Preschool Institution "Gëzimi Ynë" in Fushë Kosovë.
In 2022, on the same occasion, the company addressed the Pediatric Hospital-Hematology Department in Prishtina to celebrate with the hospitalized children. Also, the company sent gifts with food packages for the 32 current children in the ward.
Conclusion
Short-term giving provides immediate relief to those facing urgent challenges, helping them meet their basic needs and providing temporary support. It addresses the pressing issues at hand and offers crucial assistance during times of crisis. While short-term giving is impactful in providing immediate relief, it's important to complement it with long-term giving strategies that address the underlying causes of social issues and empower communities for sustainable change. By understanding the distinction between short-term and long-term giving, non-profits and CSR professionals in Kosovo can create a balanced approach that addresses immediate needs while working towards lasting solutions.
Want to know more about short-term giving in Kosovo in 2022? Read more on the link. Meanwhile, to learn everything about philanthropy and donations in Kosovo in 2022, read the Giving Kosovo 2022 report.
This article is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Catalyst Balkans and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
The Citizen Engagement Activity in Kosovo is a five-year initiative implemented by Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
