Local giving is becoming more centralized in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina

What is it about?

This study looks at how local philanthropy has developed in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina between 2015 and 2022. Instead of focusing on how much money was donated, we examined the relationships created when donors repeatedly supported particular beneficiaries. We mapped these connections as networks to see whether local giving was becoming more connected, collaborative, or concentrated. We found that connections increased in much of the philanthropic ecosystem, but they also became increasingly centered around a smaller number of important organizations. At the same time, tightly connected groups of donors and beneficiaries did not become more common. This suggests that local philanthropy may be growing while also becoming more dependent on a relatively small number of central actors.

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Photo by Alina Grubnyak on Unsplash

Photo by Alina Grubnyak on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Local philanthropy is becoming increasingly important in the Western Balkans as international funding declines. Our findings show that simply increasing local giving does not necessarily create a diverse and resilient philanthropic ecosystem. When relationships become concentrated around a small number of well-connected organizations, established actors may gain efficiency and visibility, but smaller and newer groups can become harder for donors to reach. This matters because these grassroots organizations often represent communities and causes that larger organizations may overlook. Understanding how philanthropic networks are structured can help donors, policymakers, and civil society organizations encourage local giving while also making sure that funding opportunities remain open to a wider range of organizations.

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