17. jul 2025

Interview with Pavel Andreev for the Macedonian media Biznis365.mk

🔗 Click here to read the interview on Macedonian media Biznis365.mk

(You can read the full interview in English a few lines below 👇)

Title: "Every Cause is Worthwhile": How the Pavelandreev.ORG Platform Raises Funds for Those in Need and Changes Lives?

Introduction: Pavel Andreev is the creator of the PavelAndreev.ORG platform, which specializes in raising financial funds for charitable campaigns in various countries. In our interview with him, you will read how the Republic of North Macedonia is establishing itself as an important market for his platform. How, in a short time, Macedonian causes managed to achieve great results - thanks to the warmth and commitment of Macedonians, who never stop supporting the causes, managing to raise nearly 450,000 euros and have about 50 active campaigns. This is just the beginning, and support continues to grow! Happy reading!

Mr. Andreev, please introduce yourself to our readers? Since when have you been involved in social entrepreneurship?

About 4-5 years ago, I decided to do something useful for society, without a clear idea, but with a great desire. Together with friends, I started small campaigns for elderly people, but collecting funds manually was inconvenient. I created a website for us, but after a random woman asked us to start a campaign for two children who lost their parents during the pandemic, I realized the need for a fundraising platform. The campaign was successful, and the money was raised. That was the beginning of everything. Very quickly, I was overwhelmed by a "wave" of campaigns, and at that time, I was still working in construction - as I am a civil engineer. I realized how many people needed help and started financing the platform myself. Soon I understood that I would not achieve sustainable development this way. I had to integrate a business model, without even realizing that I was entering social entrepreneurship. The idea was for the platform to develop both with my financial support and with small donations. But by the third year, with the growth of the team, everything started to become professional. This was also the turning point - from a socially significant hobby, the platform became a sustainable social project. Thus, PavelAndreev.ORG has existed for five years now - the first two as a personal initiative, and the last three to four on a professional level and to help those in need. They say that we don't choose some things in our lives, but they find us.

In one of your interviews, you say that your platform "found" you. How did you know that this was your right path?

After creating the first version of the platform - as I said, intended mainly for friends and relatives - more and more people started contacting me, seeking help in organizing campaigns. Logically, the moment of choice came: to stay in my profession as a civil engineer or to dedicate myself entirely to this cause. The decision was not easy, but the satisfaction from each successful campaign showed me that it was worth it. I knew this was the right path when I started hiring a team - on my own, I wouldn't have been able to develop the platform on a large scale and with quality. At that time, I didn't understand marketing, software development, or campaign organization, but over time I learned everything I needed. Today, I know that this choice was and is the best decision.

What do you gain from the platform, besides moral and social satisfaction? How is your platform financed? Do you charge a commission or fee on the funds raised?

The platform's business model is completely transparent. We have six payment methods, and with five of them, donors have the option to support the platform with an amount they deem appropriate, according to their desire. With the sixth method - direct payments to an account - there is a fixed fee of 5% in favor of the platform. These are our only sources of funding. All conditions are clearly described on our website so that donors can make an informed decision. There is also a "Fees" page where everyone can calculate their donation - for the campaign, for the platform, and for the transaction fee. We strive for full transparency and correctness in everything we do.

You used to be a civil engineer. What is the common ground between planning and building structures and building a successful charitable platform?

At first glance, construction and a crowdfunding platform have nothing in common, but the reality is different. In four years, I built a platform with a scale of over 747,000 donations and over 25 million euros, and my skills from the construction industry played a key role. Managing people and processes, organization, clear structure, and responsibilities - I applied all of this here - at PavelAndreev.ORG. The difference is that instead of buildings, I build trust and opportunities for help. I achieved everything else with desire, perseverance, and consistency, acquiring new knowledge at every step.

What are the main challenges in managing such an initiative, and how do you deal with the problems related to donor trust?

The challenges are many. Well-built software is key, and therefore a strong IT team is of great importance. Organizing campaigns also requires a good team - we work mainly online, using all possible marketing channels, which brings technical and operational challenges. However, the hardest part is gaining the trust of donors. We achieve this through transparency - clear policies and conditions, accessible information, open lines of communication. In addition, I stand with my name and face, and I am also present in the media.

What measures do you take to ensure full transparency in the spending of the collected funds and to reduce skepticism towards donation campaigns?

We have taken specific measures for full transparency: each user profile allows the publication of up-to-date news about the campaign, including its expenses. All payments to hospitals or other recipients are visible in the campaign section itself to show how and when the donated funds were used. If funds remain unspent, they are transferred to another active campaign. According to our general terms and conditions, campaign initiators are obliged to transfer the collected funds to other campaigns on the platform. The collected money does not remain with them or with us, but is transferred to another campaign. In the campaign that has ended for one reason or another, a news item remains showing how much money and in favor of which campaign it was transferred. Donors can clearly see this information. This means that every donation continues to help! There is no risk of the money remaining unused or being spent inappropriately - it is always used purposefully!

You have a lot of experience. Could you give us advice on how to tell if a charitable campaign is a scam?

Fake charitable campaigns are easy to organize, especially nowadays. I recommend people use organizations and platforms that have been on the market for a long time - this is the safest way to be sure of your donation. By donating through a platform like ours, donors are protected and have the right to seek legal accountability. Giving is emotional, but it must also be rational. If you are donating to a personal account, check for social proof and medical documentation. Their absence is a red flag. Medical documentation used to be available to donors on our platform, but due to regulations and the protection of personal data, it is no longer. However, we always check medical documentation before any campaign starts. There is no way for a medical campaign to start without our prior verification. If you do not find social proof or medical documentation, or do not want to use a platform, be careful. A common scenario in fraudulent campaigns is the story of a child with cancer, abandoned by the father and cared for by the mother. Therefore, always look for evidence of the campaign's authenticity!

Unfortunately, it often happens in life-saving charitable campaigns that those in need pass away. What happens to the funds raised in such cases?

In the event that more than the required amount is raised, or if the person for whom the funds are being raised no longer needs them (whether due to successful treatment or if the beneficiary passes away), all remaining funds are redirected to another active campaign on the platform. According to our general terms and conditions, campaign initiators are obliged to transfer the collected funds to other campaigns on the platform. The collected money does not remain with them or with us, but is transferred to another campaign. In the campaign that has ended for one reason or another, a news item remains showing how much money and in favor of which campaign it was transferred. Donors can clearly see this information. This means that every donation continues to help! There is no risk of the money remaining unused or being spent inappropriately - it is always used purposefully!

To conclude the interview, what would you wish our readers?

I wish them health and not to forget that "Every cause is worthwhile" - it just needs to find its suitable donor, and that could be them!