In the late Middle Ages, wealthy Flemish and English guilds began establishing secular brotherhoods known as “chests for the poor and sick.” These early institutions are now regarded as the first non‑governmental organizations, promoting what contemporary observers described as the pinnacle of civic solidarity. Donations were encouraged, and the guilds used charitable acts to bolster their reputations and influence. Over time, many of these foundations shifted from purely charitable work to centers of social and political power. Funds that had originally been earmarked for the poor were increasingly redirected to the construction of guild palaces or to cover costly legal disputes involving the founders themselves. Critics who questioned the use of private coffers were often dismissed as attacking the very ideals of Christian and civic compassion, with the argument that opening a new orphanage or school would simply “silence” potential dissenters. A modern example of this dynamic can be seen in the case of the Foundation for Women, Victims of Violence, which emerged from the SpasiMe initiative and collaborated with the Solidarna Foundation. In 2024, the foundation awarded the title “Woman of the Year” to a recipient, but the event was organized by the magazine Zaposlena urednica, run by Ane Gruden. According to reports, the organizer failed to protect the interests of sponsors, donors, and participants, and no official comment has yet been issued by the parties involved. Legal notice regarding comments on Vecernji.hr In accordance with Article 94 of the Electronic Media Act, comments on articles published on the Vecernji.hr website and its mobile applications are permitted only for registered users. Each user who wishes to comment must first familiarize themselves with the site’s Commenting Rules and the prohibitions outlined in Section 2 of Article 94. Registration is required to post comments; users without an account are encouraged to register through one of the two available methods.
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