SouthEast European Indigenous Grantmakers Network (SIGN), celebrated its 10th anniversary by organizing the SIGNs of CHANGE, a one-day event in the Philanthropy House in Brussels.
SouthEast European Indigenous Grantmakers Network (SIGN) was established in 2009 as a regional network gathering foundations from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo partnered to further improve the development of philanthropy, cross-sector partnerships and long-term sustainability of civil society on the local, national and regional level. In 2019, SIGN Network celebrates its jubilee by presenting its biggest achievements and highlighting the most important milestones that marked past ten years of its presence and impact.
During the event that was hosted by the European Foundation Centre (EFC) and its CEO Gerard Salole, participants had an opportunity to discuss the context for philanthropy development in the Western Balkans region and the ways it addresses the shrinking space for civil society in these countries. Representatives of Trag Foundation from Serbia, Fund for Active Citizenship from Montenegro, Mozaik Foundation from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Forum for Civic Initiatives from Kosovo, HORUS from North Macedonia and Catalyst Balkans from Serbia discussed how they support the non-profits in their countries to mobilize citizens, build trust in their communities and generate social changes.
During the event, the representatives of the SIGN Network also opened an exibition highlighting their most important milestones and the general public will be able to visit it free of charge in the Philanthropy House, Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:30 until November 30th, 2019.
SIGNs of CHANGE event and exhibition are part of the project "SIGN Up for Impact: Philanthropy Development for Stronger Civil Society“, implemented by the SIGN Network with financial support of the European Union and the Balkan Trust for Democracy.
