The Mikec Foundation is an Opportunity for Talented Individuals from Less Affluent Backgrounds to Educate Themselves

Antun Mikec, a Zagreb entrepreneur originally from Međimurje and co-owner and director of the VMD group, has established the Mikec Foundation, a family foundation that will provide annual scholarships for secondary and higher education for talented students from Međimurje, with a preference for those from less affluent backgrounds.

– Of all forms of investment or donations, funding the education of talented young people is the most beneficial for the development of society and the individual – explains Mikec regarding his decision.

The foundation will be financed with his own money, specifically the income from companies he owns and co-owns, and decisions regarding the awarding of scholarships will be made by the Foundation’s Board. Membership in this body has been accepted by prominent individuals and representatives of state, local, and church authorities from Međimurje.

Many Donations

The co-owner of the VMD group has, over the past fifteen years, both personally and through his company, donated and supported various groups and activities, for example, providing one-time assistance to poor individuals and families, co-financing the publication of publications and books, awarding scholarships to students, donating to the Church for the construction or renovation of church facilities, donations for the renovation of the square in his hometown, and assisting in the organization of cultural and sports events.

– This has become increasingly widespread, requests for donations for various purposes have become more frequent, making it increasingly difficult for me to select them and make fair decisions. Therefore, I decided to formalize and institutionalize donation activities by establishing a family foundation and its management. In the initial phase, 80 to 90 percent of the fund is intended to be used for scholarships for talented and deserving students, with a preference for candidates from less affluent backgrounds in Međimurje, where I was born – says Mikec, emphasizing that for this year, due to the short time and to ensure better responses, he has sent out calls through the municipal and city administrations and parish offices in Međimurje, as they know best what the needs are in their community.

Habit of Helping

The current annual fund for distribution is around 700,000 kuna, which Mikec will secure from his own resources and the income of companies he owns, while the remaining amount of 10 to 20 percent of the annual fund will be used for other cultural, artistic, social, and church needs in the Međimurje area. The scholarship program and the scope of the Foundation’s work are intended to be expanded to the rest of Croatia and to develop a culture of encouraging youth.

– We will not condition all scholarship recipients, but rather suggest that after completing their education, they contribute about 20 percent of the amount received in installments to the Foundation – emphasizes Mikec.

The goal of this symbolic amount, he explains, is to instill the habit of helping and to encourage the education of young people, especially deserving and talented students.