Branka Kaselj

photo of Branka Kaselj

director, Community Foundation Slagalica, Osijek, Croatia, LinkedIn profile of Branka Kaselj

Your experience with the CFs and your professional relevance to the theme of CFs:

Starting with 2004 I am involved in the feasibility study for establishing of CFs in Croatia and learning about CF. Since 2008 director of Community Foundation Slagalica; starting from the sketch, now have stabile partnership agreement with the National Foundation for Development of Civil Society for re-granting of citizens’ initiative, new partnership agreement for administration of several calls for applications issued by the Ministry of social politics and youth, Ministry of health and Ministry of science, education and sport, successful implementation of EU projects (development of local community and eko/rural tourism) etc. Still have small endowment, financial stability is fragile, local community have low economic capacities, annual budget in 2013 was around 203.000 USD, governing board have 9 members (some of them are with from the very beginning), 6 staff members (3 part time and 3 full time).

Key characteristics and information about the CFs and community philanthropy in Croatia:

Out of around 200 foundations in the state registry, only a dozen can be classified as CF. Most of foundation exists only on paper, without public work /actions for years. Existing Law on foundation is mostly sufficient but it has to be revised in the context of clarity between main characteristic and differences between foundation and association (both can undertake mostly the same type of actions etc) and to update it to the current situation and positive legislation (especially in terms of transparency, finances etc). Croatian network of Foundation is recently established (7 members so far) which will intensify our work on community philanthropy promotions and development, including advocacy for new legislative framework..

Area of particular interest in the CF development/ CF management/ practice:

  • Combination of operative and grant-making work among CFs; issue of the financial sustainability in relation to endowment and/or reserve funds; mobilization and respond of local community in/for fundraising actions;
  • most successful types of actions/ community work; cooperation with private and pubic sector; existence and results of practice and work on capacity building for CFs staff and governing boards etc.