Entrepreneurs request to realize that philanthropy is not just PR, but a moral work and social investment. NGOs must search as far as possible independence, but the state should support them, due to the fact that they fill gaps in social life that they cannot overcome. And strategical philanthropy is based on a strategical partnership between companies and the 3rd sector. specified conclusions are drawn from the debate on "Strategic philanthropy" held on 22 April at the European economical legislature in Katowice (EEC)
The discussions were attended by:
- Andrej Kiska – philanthropist, entrepreneur, president of Slovakia from 2014 to 2019
- Mirella Panek-Oatsian – manager of global Affairs of the EEC, PTWP Group
- Anna Żelazowska-Kosiorek – leader of the Social Programs of the Robinson Independent Foundation
- Michael Braun – manager of the National Institute of Freedom – Centre for the improvement of civilian Society
- Joanna Gajda-Wróblevska – president of the BNP Paribas Foundation
- Agnieszka Han – Vice president of the Management Board of Hasco-Lek SA
- Mirosław Proppé – president of the Management Board of the WWF Polska Foundation
- Ryan Turner – philanthropy advisor
He moderated the debate Andrzej Chojnowski – Managing editor of “Rzeczpospolita”, magazine “Success”.
Philanthropy as a social investment
During the panel, speakers analysed the differences between ad hoc aid and long-term support for systemic changes, stressing the moral work of business to build social capital. A key subject was the request to professionalise the NGO sector and to supply it with unchangeable backing which should not be based solely on public funds.
It was besides stressed that strategical aid strengthens the foundations of democracy and becomes an essential component of modern business identity. The full debate showed philanthropy as a mature investment tool that allows a viable build-up of resilient civilian society.
Andrej Kiska: Money doesn't bring happiness
The debate itself preceded the discussion Mirelli Panek-Oatsian au Andrej Kiska. The erstwhile president, entrepreneur and philanthropist, mentioning the beginnings of his business, spoke about his work in the US for $4 an hr and then about the success of his own financial firm in Slovakia. He admitted that despite having an airplane and hundreds of employees, his first reflection was that money did not bring happiness.
He explained that the model of his charity Good Angel is based on micropayments of thousands of donors and full transparency: he himself finances operating costs so that all penny from the donor goes straight to the needy families. He stressed the importance of regular monthly payments on disposable donations.
Referring to the function of the State, he stated that systemic injustice required him to enter politics, but pointed out that the State would never full replace charities. strategical philanthropy is for him 1 of the pillars of democracy and a tool of real change, not just a point change. He pointed out that the current pro-Russian Slovak authorities are reluctant to NGO’s as independent organizations.
Michał Braun: NGO independency is the safety of democracy
Director National Institute of Freedom – Centre for the improvement of civilian Society pointed out that philanthropy came not only from business, but primarily from private donors. He stressed that a strong NGO sector is crucial for safety and democracy.
– We manage 10 different government programs, finance the organization's activities. Yeah, well, possibly we're not funding, we're supporting organizations in development. And it is crucial for us that it is our occupation that organisations are not dependent on public money, that this non-governmental word should mean that they are non-governmental, that they are not on a pot of state or a commune, that they are not dependent on public funds. due to the fact that then any change of power or change, it is simply a change of power that can possibly destruct specified an organization," he said Michael Braun.
He compared the support of the NGO to the “a subscription to democracy and security” that all citizen should pay.
Mirosław Proppé: professionalization of 3rd sector
President of the Management Board WWF Poland Foundation pointed out that 3rd sector organisations must be professional and that their employees should gain marketplace rates, which is essential for transparent task settlement. He criticized the model based solely on volunteering and grants “from competition to competition” as unstable.
– The vast majority of organizations are based on volunteering due to the fact that they can't afford to keep employees. It is based on grants that are from a grant to a grant, from a competition to a contest, and then there are holes and there is difficulty in endurance – he said Mirosław Proppé, adding: – 3rd sector organisations are the same organisations as business organisations in terms of organisations.
As an example, WWF, which 60 years ago received capital not for circumstantial purposes, but for the construction of structures of the organization, which allowed it to last decades. He besides recalled that countries specified as Germany, the United Kingdom and Sweden powerfully support the improvement of NGOs besides outside their own borders.
Anna Żelazowska-Kosiorek: partnership for years
Leader of social programmes Robinson Independent Foundations She spoke about supporting young people from children's homes. She stressed that their work could not be done actively – aid must be processive and long-term in order to build intellectual resilience and a support network in young people.
– It is very crucial for us to work with strategical partners, due to the fact that we cannot be 1 day and the another day disappear. A young man wonders, prepares, prepares, and erstwhile he says he is ready, we should tell him, “You don’t know, due to the fact that there is no backing for it anymore, possibly next year”? No, next year he won't be utilizing that support. That's why we run different programs, including an internship program that has a large component with company Żabka Polska. The Good Internship Program has been implemented with Żabka for 10 years, and I think that this is just a strategical partnership that allows young people to meet and the needs of young people, but besides build the stabilisation of us as a squad and us as a foundation so that we can be around young people," she said. Anna Żelazowska-Kosiorek.
– We started with 10 internships at the beginning of cooperation with the Żabka Group. And right now we have 127 internships per year and almost 250 internships with another companies due to the fact that we work with many partners. This learning in action is the most crucial and I think it is besides a good definition of specified a strategical partnership or this strategical philanthropy. Taking yourself in partnership and building trust – she stressed Anna Żelazowska-Kosiorek.
Joanna Gajda-Wróblewski: reasoning in Years
President BNP Paribas Foundation She defined strategical philanthropy as asking a question about what change we want to see in 10 years, not what to fund today. She described the programme “May”, strengthening the competences of children from tiny towns.
– We're not lonely islands, we're any archipelago of islands, and it's good to build connections between these islands. And here I think that again business with its competences, resources can be very helpful. We, reasoning of strategical philanthropy, like to ask ourselves a question – not what we want to finance this year, but what change we want to see in 3, 5, 10 years.
– Let us not forget that business besides educates itself, due to the fact that it is simply a full work to engage. And I don't think it's embarrassing to do that," she added. Joanna Gajda-Wróblevska.
Agnieszka Han: work and cooperation
Agnieszka Han, Vice president of the Management Board of Hasco-Lek SA noted that strategical philanthropy is filling gaps not cared for by the state. Hasco-Lek Foundation focuses on health, including through prevention campaigns for men.
– We have so many problems today, we have so many challenges everywhere that you absolutely cannot handle yourself. It truly takes a responsible, delicate business that sees these needs, can address them and can do it strategically," she said. Agnieszka Han.
In her opinion, NGOs, business and the state are an inseparable triangle of cooperation.
– It's embarrassing not to help, it's embarrassing not to engage. And let's forget that philanthropist doesn't should be a large organization. Each of us can be a strategical philanthropist," she said Agnieszka Han.
Ryan Turner: Philanthropy as a Strategy
The philanthropic advisor compared the Polish and European approaches to philanthropy, noting the strong presence of the ESG position that is missing in the US.
“Culturally, we frequently see philanthropy as something good, something cool, something that relieves us a bit of responsibility. On the another hand, I would like to propose specified a sharper look that this is simply a strategical action that gives us the voice and combines the area of public strategies and business strategies, allowing these 2 sectors to pass on their values. For example, the fact that charity can and should besides make profits specified as business and business should be socially involved," he said Ryan Turner.
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