Like the great benefactors in Serbian history, he leaves behind a lasting value for Serbian society
Miodrag Kostić is recognized not only as one of the most successful businessmen but also for his continuous engagement and contributions to socially responsible causes. Support for children and youth, as well as for education and healthcare, has always been the cornerstone of his philanthropic activities. He personally initiated and followed through on a large number of actions, ensuring their implementation year after year. He launched the regional CSR program “Family Support”, as well as numerous aid projects that have been carried out every year for over a decade. These include various forms of support to SOS Children’s Villages and the NURDOR association, organizing winter trips for students from Kosovo and Metohija, donating food to vulnerable populations, and donating equipment to healthcare and educational institutions. The humanitarian actions he financed were primarily focused on the local communities where MK Group and AIK Bank operate.
During his lifetime, he allocated over 50 million euros for socially responsible activities and will continue to support Serbian society and its development through the work of the foundation bearing his name. The Miodrag Kostić Endowment was established with the aim of gifting the Serbian people the Palace of Science, the first center for research and popularization of science in Serbia. This humanitarian endeavor reflects his life and business philosophy, where knowledge stands as the greatest value. The allocation of 25 million euros for the realization of this project is one of the largest individual donations for philanthropy in this region. It represents a return to patronage and a legacy for the future of Serbia, through continuous support for education, scientific and technological development, and innovation.
This is the second foundation he has launched. Previously, in 2013, he donated his family house in Novi Sad, as the “Kostić Family Endowment,” to the “Institute for Health Care of Children and Youth of Vojvodina” for the purpose of more humane treatment, in cooperation with the NURDOR association. It is also worth mentioning the house he built in Kraljevo in 2012 for the needs of the SOS Children’s Villages organization.
The community has recognized his efforts to provide future generations with better living opportunities and the chance to progress, and Miodrag Kostić has received numerous awards for his humanitarian work. He is the only person in Serbia to have been awarded the Honorary Badge by the international organization SOS Children’s Villages in gratitude for his long-term support and contribution. He holds the Gold Badge of the Red Cross of Serbia, the prestigious title of “Friend of the Family” awarded by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, as well as numerous awards for donating food to vulnerable populations. The VIRTUS Award for Philanthropy for national contributions to MK Group in 2020 followed after Miodrag Kostić was among the first to respond to the state’s call and provide various forms of aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, both in Serbia and the region. In 2024, he received a Special VIRTUS Award for his contribution to patronage, as well as a special recognition from the Serbian Managers Association (SAM) for his exceptional personal act in founding the Endowment bearing his name and launching the Palace of Science.
