• With total funding of up to €14 million euros, the platform aims to foster progress towards a more sustainable and inclusive society

The UniCredit Foundation is taking a significant step forward in its mission to empower Europe's next generation by launching the "UCF Edu-Fund Platform." This initiative is a testament to the Foundation's commitment to providing youth with equal opportunities for quality education and addressing the widespread and multifaceted issues of early school leaving and inadequate skills for university studies or job market entry. The "UCF Edu-Fund Platform" is a bold move to support programs focused on combating educational poverty, particularly among lower and upper secondary school students aged 11-19.

With a multidimensional approach, it is designed to support those initiatives that help address those peripheral issues that have a direct impact on the educational challenges faced by young people across the countries where UniCredit operates.  The platform -  with a substantial funding pool of up to €14 million euros - will remain open all year round, offering three streams of funding opportunities, ranging from €100,000 euros to over €1 million euros, to cater to a range of program scales. These streams are designed to engage a diverse array of entities committed to fostering quality education and regional development, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive response to the educational needs of the community.

Open to non-profit organisations with in-depth knowledge of educational needs, the platform's eligibility criteria ensure that the supported programs are well-defined, capable of delivering tangible social impact, and sustainable over time. The initiative extends to Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia. 

Following the World Youth Skills Day | United Nations, the UniCredit Foundation's commitment through the "UCF Edu-Fund Platform" underscores the importance of programs that adopt a holistic approach, one that not only focuses on individual needs and helps to bridge the educational gap but also fosters overall community resilience and economic growth, leading to a more just and balanced society.

By empowering communities and addressing educational poverty, the UniCredit Foundation is paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for the benefit of future generations. This Fund is a testament to the Foundation's evolving scope and deepened understanding of the educational landscape, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive, one at a time.

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Additional media information:

Ekaterina Ancheva, tel +359 894 518 193 , flbufsjob/bodifwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch