Blog CSR Newsletter Q1

From celebrating Baba Marta with charity bazaar to blood donation campaigns and special trainings, dedicated to biodiversity, our CSR calendar in the first quarter of 2024 has been full and exciting. And since we want to spread the good and inspire others for good causes, we've decided to put everything together.

Let's jump in the major charity events for KBC Global Services in the first quarter of 2024.

February 2023

Martenitza Workshop
In February, for yet another year, we organized Martenitza DIY Workshop and dived into the depths of the Bulgarian cultural heritage and a beloved tradition. Together, we crafted hundreds of Martenitsi made out of red (strength, blood, sun and warmth) and white (goodness and light) in preparation for the arrival of spring.

Baba Marta Charity Market

We showcased our creations on our Special Baba Marta charity market, and this year, our collective efforts tripled our previous achievements, raising 1136 BGN. The funds are now dedicated to purchasing essential school supplies like workbooks and backpacks for the children of the Family-type accommodation center in Kichevo. Well done, #TeamBlue!

March 2024

As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering impactful partnerships, we reached a significant milestone in our partnership with Karin Dom. Our General Manager, Todor Petkov, accompanied by colleagues, visited Karin Dom to donate 10 unused laptops. These laptops will play a crucial role in supporting the organization’s therapeutic team by enhancing their ability to process, store and manage vital information related to sessions, therapy, and individual programs.

Karin Dom is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 by hereditary diplomat and philanthropist Ivan Stancioff. The organization works for the fulfilling life and growth of children with special needs in their families, for their successful inclusion and to increase the tolerance in the society. You can find more about Karin Dom here.

The Impact
The secure technology that we provided will empower Karin Dom’s staff to handle essential information effectively and on a daily basis. Each laptop has been set up and equipped to allow immediate use by the organization’s team.

During the visit, our team received special puzzle bracelets as gifts, a symbol of solidarity with children with Autism, underscoring our shared commitment to making a positive difference in the community.

Share & Care

At the onset of 2024, we introduced our Share & Care environment, dedicated to advancing Diversity & Inclusion initiatives within KBC Group framework. Our aim is to raise awareness and foster engagement on social issues related to diversity.

One of our inaugural initiatives was the launch of our first blood donation campaign. In collaboration with the Regional Centre of Transfusion Hematology in Varna, we conducted our first campaign on 12 February, followed by another in Sofia on 22 February. Dr. Evtim Danailov, a Transfusion Hematology Resident, led a special Awareness session to educate us on the impact of donating blood.

The event was a great success, and the campaigns will continue on a quarterly basis, offering opportunities for more colleagues to contribute to the cause. Stay tuned for updates and join us in making a difference!

Sock It Up Challenge

In March, we challenged our teams to raise awareness about Down Syndrome in a fun and engaging way. We were more than happy to see the vibrant display of colorful socks on our company intranet on 21 March, World Down Syndrome Day, where each post helped shifting social attitudes and prejudices by showcasing Down syndrome in a positive light.

In total, the posts of our people garnered an impressive 2276 views and received 378 likes – this is the power of collective action in spreading awareness! On March 28th, the four winning posts were honored in a special ceremony by Mrs. Silvena Hristova, the founder of “Life with Down Syndrome Foundation".

We extend our thanks to all participants for serving as ambassadors of positivity and inclusivity, and bringing a sunny outlook on life through colorful socks!
If you are interested in learning more about Down Syndrome, have a look at the official website of the Foundation "Life with Down Syndrome".

SUSTAINABILITY -THE NEXT CHAPTERS

In February, we announced the launch of the newest Group training program SUSTAINABILITY - THE NEXT CHAPTERS that goes beyond traditional sustainability efforts and focuses on a wider range of environmental objectives, including biodiversity and water protection, pollution prevention, and the transition to a circular economy.

By enrolling the E-learning program, our employees are now able to gain insights on how these different challenges are interconnected and affecting not only our environment but also our economy and health, and how you can contribute to a more sustainable course through responsible behavior. It's not about doing less, but about doing things differently!

Earth Hour

In March, we supported WWF's annual world Earth hour initiative for 2024 and took 60 minutes to turn off the lights at home in solidarity with the world's need to take active action towards river preservation.