• First Call for Education dedicated to Bulgaria and Romania concludes, 4 initiatives awarded

The first edition of the "Call for Education - Romania & Bulgaria," an initiative launched by UniCredit Foundation in collaboration with UniCredit Bulbank and UniCredit Bank Romania in support of projects aimed at addressing educational disadvantage carried out by non-profit organizations in the two countries, has concluded.

Out of a total of more than 100 applications received, 4 initiatives have been awarded with total contributions of around 500,000 euros. In coherence with the new Foundation’s purpose to unlock the potential of Europe's next generation through equal educational opportunities, this Call has engaged local banks in identifying and supporting projects contrasting educational disadvantage in Bulgaria and Romania, carried out by non-profit organizations in favour of lower and upper secondary school students (11-19 age), with particular focus on: 

• Tackling early school leaving
• University attainment
• Acquisition of adequate skills to enter the job market

In detail, the Group’s local banks have been invited to identify and share with UniCredit Foundation a short-list of up to five outstanding social projects for each country. A dedicated Committee appointed by the UniCredit Foundation was responsible for selecting the winning initiatives across the two countries.

According to the latest OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) that measures 15-year-olds’ ability to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges, approximately one in five 15 year-olds in the EU doesn’t meet the grade-level standards in these subjects, which prevents them from reaching their full potential.

Silvia Cappellini, General Manager at UniCredit Foundation commented: “Bulgaria and Romania students are not an exception to this trend. Early school dropout and the failure to acquire adequate skills to continue university studies or to enter the job market are widespread phenomena in most of the countries in which the Group operates. This Call is a testament to our continued strong commitment to addressing educational inequalities and supporting young people in their studies by promoting opportunities for learning and growth, so that no one is left behind”.

 

Teodora Petkova, Head of Eastern Europe at UniCredit added: “Education empowers children, giving them confidence to overcome challenges, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It cultivates empathy, tolerance, and respect, shaping compassionate individuals who contribute to their communities. For us prioritizing education through the mission of UniCredit Foundation means investing in children's well-being, helping them become resilient, fulfilled individuals who can create a better world for all. I thank deeply all the organisations who pitched their projects to the Call for Education Bulgaria and Romania. In those organisations I see our noble allies in the common goal of contributing towards a peaceful, entrepreneurial, and prosperous future of Europe.”

UniCredit Foundation is thus continuing its major commitment to tackling educational disadvantage in its communities. Added to the previous disbursement in March this year of 500,000 euros to non-profit associations in Italy, the total contribution to the cause in early 2023 alone amounts to around 1 million euros.

The winning projects:

BULGARIA

• "Better math results in lower secondary schools with Khan Academy" by the Education Without Backpacks association, that aims to implement and regularly use Khan Academy in two partner schools in Bulgaria to improve the academic performance in math of fifth grade students
• "Uni Youth - Promoting Roma opportunities for excellence in education" by the Arete Youth Foundation association, that aims to support Roma students at risk of dropping out of school, through a mentoring program that includes academic assistance, career guidance, soft skills development, motivational meetings and creating links between partner schools and universities

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Additional media information:

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

Darina Radoslavova, tel +359 887 505273, Ebsjob/SbeptmbwpwbAVojDsfejuHspvq/CH