2. 9. 2023
In August subscribers and prepaid users of Telekom Slovenije’s mobile communications donated more than 1 million euros for the first time in history, which shows exceptional solidarity following catastrophic flooding that hit Slovenia in the night from the 3rd to the 4th of August.
Users donated a total of 1,025,334 euros in August, as more than 20 new SMS donations to help those impacted by flooding were activated. This year is the 20th anniversary of the SMS donation service.
Telekom Slovenije launched SMS donations in 2003 (as Mobitel), providing organisations, associations and institutions with a method for collecting funds for charity in a fast, simple and effective manner through SMS messaging. Users quickly warmed to this donation option, so that the popularity of the service grew year by year.
In 2018 a total of 505,396 euros was collected through SMS donations, in 2019 a total of 1,415,871 euros, in 2020 a total of 1,065,025.18, in 2021 a total of 1,535,160.05 euros, and in 2022 a total of 1,521,263 euros. However, just in August of this year users donated 1,025,334 euros.
The service has been constantly upgraded and expanded quickly, and this method of raising donations for charity was quickly also adopted by other operators of mobile services in Slovenia.
In 2014 Telekom Slovenije also launched the monthly SMS donation services that makes it possible to donate on a monthly basis. The success of the service for gathering donations shows extraordinary social engagement and solidarity of Slovenians in times of exceptional hardship.
Users can donate through the SMS donation service by sending an SMS message with a certain keyword to 1919. Until now users were able to donate 1, 5 or 10 euros with each SMS sent; however, Telekom Slovenije also activated the option for SMS donations in the amount of 20 euros for helping those harmed by floods.
With SMS donations users donate for a certain charity drive, and Telekom Slovenije transfers the full collected funds to the organisation holding the drive.
Collecting funds through SMS donations is available to charity, humanitarian and community service organisations, organisations for people with disabilities and non-government organisations with a public interest status.
More information on current SMS donations is available at: https://ts.si/sms-donacije