The Iskra Philanthropy Awards and Recognitions for 2025 were presented tonight at a ceremony at the Zetski Dom Royal Theater in Cetinje.
The Iskra Award is organized by the Fund for Active Citizenship (fAKT), in cooperation and with the support of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro (PKCG) and the "Ćano Koprivica" Foundation.
fAKT announced the names of the winners on December 25th of last year.
As fAKT announced at the time, the award jury decided to award two prizes and seven special recognitions for 2025.
The award for individual contribution went to Petar Ivanović, a young man who recently jumped from the Suspension Bridge into the swollen Morača River and saved the life of a fellow citizen, and the award for contribution at the national level went to Crnogorska komercijalna banka (CKB).
Award presentation to Petar Ivanović - video: Marijana Bojanić
A special recognition for lifetime achievement was received by Milorad Mido Drekalović, while a special recognition for civic contribution to the common good was also received by the family of Milodarka and Mikan Zorić and Aleksandar Dragićević.
As announced by fAKT, the special recognition for young philanthropists was received by Đulija Kardović, while the special recognition for 150 years of humanity was received by the Red Cross of Montenegro (CKCG).
Megapromet Budva received a special award for its contribution to the local community, and Glas Zabjela for its media contribution to community development.
A statement from fAKT dated December 25th stated that the courageous feat of Ivanovic, a 23-year-old from Podgorica who received awards for individual contribution, is a reminder of what values we should strive for.
This, as fAKT said at the time, is proof that "superheroes are not just part of fantasy - they are here, among us."
Award presentation to Petar Ivanović - video: Marijana Bojanić
"Petar risked his own life, without thinking for a moment whether the cold Morača would be merciful that night," fAKT said in a statement on December 25th.
They pointed out that with his heroic act, Ivanovic showed how a spark can illuminate the darkness and write new pages of humanity and heroism - an immortal witness to a time.
As they stated, the award for contribution at the national level, intended for the business sector, was received by CKB.
"A strategic and systemic approach to corporate philanthropy is an integral part of the organizational culture and identity of the bank, which implements its socially responsible activities through financial and material donations, strategic partnerships and with the active participation of employees within the bank's Volunteer Club," the fAKT statement said.
It is stated that the Volunteer Club brings together employees willing to dedicate part of their time and knowledge to socially beneficial actions, so that the approach to philanthropy becomes part of everyday culture.
"By supporting the development of culture, sports, education, healthcare, social inclusion and environmental protection, CKB has implemented and supported dozens of projects, institutions, establishments and organizations this year, including the Paralympic Committee, the CKCG and the Cetinje Health Center, and has received several awards for socially responsible business this year," said fAKT.
They said that the special lifetime achievement award went to Drekalović, a man whose humanity knows no bounds and who is synonymous with the Nikšić organization of the Red Cross.
"It is difficult to list all the actions he organized, the people he helped, but suffice it to say that in the 1990s he gave up his apartment to refugees, and he and his family moved into the family home, that his son shared a bed with a boy who was orphaned in the whirlwind of war, and his daughter with a girl who fled war-torn Bosnia," the fAKT statement reads.
It is emphasized that Drekalović helped several hundred fellow citizens obtain wheelchairs and other aids, while food, clothing, shoes, and hygiene packages reached thousands of those who needed help.
fAKT added that his daughter Ana is also successfully following in his footsteps.
As they stated, the family of Milodarka and Mikan Zorić from Nikšić received a special recognition for their civic contribution to the common good.
"In a time of general preoccupation, faith in a better tomorrow is being restored by the Zorićs, a family that cherishes true values, spreads charity, cultivates empathy and voluntary blood donation," reads a statement from fAKT dated December 25th last year.
fAKT said that the Zorićs do not wait for others to invite them to join a humanitarian action, but rather organize them themselves, and all family members are involved in the humanitarian mission that they have been spreading for decades.
As they said, in addition to Milodarka and Mikan, their children are also voluntary blood donors, and they are all members of humanitarian groups.
"They ceded the family home to the children of a family that lives in a remote village and is unable to afford housing in the city while they are in school, while their children and their families live as tenants," the statement said.
fAKT said that, during the coronavirus pandemic, Milodarka and her colleagues from the tailoring salon organized free sewing and distribution of masks.
"Last year, she and her friends launched an action to visit elementary schools in remote rural areas, and all members of the Zorić family were involved in the action," the statement said.
fAKT said that the winner of the special recognition for civic contribution to the common good is Dragićević, a civic and environmental activist who has become a symbol of the fight for environmental justice in Montenegro.
"His daily engagement, both in the field and in the media, has significantly contributed to raising awareness of environmental problems and motivating citizens to become more actively involved in nature protection," the statement said.
It is stated that Dragićević initiated the resolution of several important social issues and problems, such as illegal gravel exploitation, illegal construction and illegal logging, and that his actions show that an active and responsible citizen can do a lot.
fAKT said that Kardović, the recipient of the special award for young philanthropists, is a civic activist known for her humanitarian work and engagement in the local community.
"Helping migrants and the homeless, building and renovating housing, collecting aid in the form of food, hygiene, clothing, school supplies, environmental campaigns and public appeals for solidarity and humanity, primarily through the Facebook page "Daruj Rožaje", are just some of the numerous activities of this young Rožaje woman," the statement says.
fAKT stated that Kardović is proof that an individual can move a community and bring about change through humanity and empathy, and that her commitment to love for people and nature can be translated into concrete actions that change lives.
They said that the CKCG was the recipient of a special recognition for 150 years of humanity.
"Over the course of a century and in terms of humanity, the Red Cross of Montenegro has followed the most difficult historical moments: from caring for refugees in 1875, action during the Balkan and world wars, assistance after the 1979 earthquake, to support during the refugee crisis of the 90s, major floods, snowstorms and the coronavirus pandemic," the statement says.
fAKT stated that the Red Cross of Montenegro participates in caring for the vulnerable population, collecting and distributing humanitarian aid, training teams to operate in emergency situations, and providing support to families and individuals in social need, migrants, and asylum seekers.
"And all this thanks to numerous volunteers from 23 local units, who are the key bearers of all the organization's activities and its greatest strength, among whom there are increasingly young people," the statement added.
fAKT said that the special recognition for contribution to the local community went to the company Megapromet from Budva.
"Through support for numerous humanitarian actions, cultural and sports events, institutions and associations, Megapromet shows concern for the well-being of the community," the statement says.
It is stated that their humanity and long-standing work within the framework of actions intended for the elderly, people with disabilities and other vulnerable categories are particularly noteworthy.
"While the year behind us stands out with Megapromet's donation worth 45 thousand euros to the Budva Protection and Rescue Service, when each of the 90 firefighters was awarded 500 euros," said fAKT.
They said that at the end of 2024, the company also presented a donation to the Institute of Children's Diseases of the Clinical Center of Montenegro, thanks to which the urodynamics cabinet was equipped with the most modern equipment.
fAKT said that the winner of the special award for media contribution to community development is Glas Zabjela.
"With the aim of strengthening civic awareness of social responsibility and encouraging care for one's own community, Glas Zabjela, the online edition of the magazine of the same name, has become a kind of platform for civic activism and the cultural identity of Zabjela," the statement says.
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