Korça and Philanthropy – A Tradition That Never Fades
Over 35 participants from public institutions, NGOs, academia, media and youth organizations joined the workshop “Korça and Philanthropy – A Tradition That Never Fades,” organized by the first Community Foundation in Albania, “Korçarët Ndihmojmë Korçarët.” The event highlighted Korça’s long-standing philanthropic tradition and the social priorities of the community.
More than 35 participants, including representatives of public institutions, NGOs operating in the Municipality of Korça, professors from Fan Noli University, civil society activists, media representatives, and youth groups, took part in the workshop “Korça and Philanthropy – A Tradition That Never Fades,” organized by Albania’s first Community Foundation, “Korçarët Ndihmojmë Korçarët.”
The event brought to attention the deeply rooted philanthropic tradition of Korça—one of the earliest and strongest in Albania—a tradition that deserves renewed attention in our community life as an expression of humanity, solidarity, and civic spirit. The main objectives of the event were:
1. Strengthening cooperation with NGOs in Korça to better assess needs and priorities for addressing key social issues in the community.
2. Identifying projects that may benefit from grant programs of the KNK Community Foundation beginning in 2025.
3. Building closer collaboration with the local community, Korça’s business sector, and the diaspora to ensure broad, genuine support for community projects.
4. Based on past experience, identifying ways to improve open, sincere, and effective cooperation with local and central government institutions.
The Prefect of Korça County, Mr. Nertil Jole, attended the event and expressed his appreciation for the initiative, highlighting the importance of the first meeting of the Foundation established with the support of Dr. Yvonne Naum, a philanthropist of Korçar origin born and raised in the United States. “The work of many benefactors from our region still shines in our city today and reflects the European spirit they cultivated in Korça, from the 15th to the 20th century. The Turtulli family is among the most prominent examples, having contributed many key institutions to Korça—the hospital, library, cinema, lyceum, and orphanage. Many other benefactors, such as Anastas Avram-Lekçe, Iljaz Bej Mirahori, Selim Mborja, and others, left an exceptional legacy. Continuing this long-standing tradition of Korça’s philanthropy, as demonstrated by Dr. Naum, is a culture we must collectively promote in the name of love for people, our city, and our country,” Mr. Jole emphasized.
Mr. Erjon Nexhipi, Chairman of the Korça County Council, praised Dr. Naum’s contribution and the establishment of KNK, underlining that it would provide valuable support to improve community life. He highlighted that assistance to the elderly—one of the main priorities of the Foundation—is already being addressed through an ongoing project supported by the County Council. “The project ‘Integrated Social and Health Services for the Elderly’ is the result of cooperation between the Korça County Council, the ‘Mission Emanuel’ Foundation for Development and Integration, and the municipalities of Korça, Pogradec, and Maliq, supported by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection through the Social Fund.” He noted that despite ongoing efforts, the needs of this vulnerable group remain diverse and significant, and emphasized the institution’s full commitment to supporting this initiative.
Joining online from the United States, Mr. Mark Kosmo, of Korçar origin and Chair of the Board of the “Global Albanians Foundation” in Boston (USA)—a founding partner of KNK alongside Dr. Naum—highlighted the crucial role communities play in solving local issues, fundraising, and how successful models widely used in the United States can be applied in Albania, particularly in Korça. He emphasized the important role the Albanian diaspora, and especially the Korçar community abroad, can play in this mission.
Participants shared their insights and experiences regarding the various challenges facing the community, committed to more effective cooperation, and presented concrete recommendations and proposals for prioritizing and coordinating future community projects.
We express our deep gratitude to Dr. Yvonne Naum in the United States for this meaningful initiative and her generous contributions that made the creation of the “Korçarët Ndihmojmë Korçarët” Community Foundation possible, as well as for her ongoing support. Our thanks also go to GAF for its organizational support and financial contributions that helped drive this project forward.
Korçarët Ndihmojmë Korçarët – Together We Are Stronger!