“In the crisis we adapt our priorities towards adequate and spot-on solutions for social investments.” Krasimir Nenov, Executive Director, ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3
As early as February this year, the global management of ContourGlobal decided to unite the significant resources provided for social investments of all the assets in the ContourGlobal group around the world, and direct them to fight the epidemic and the problems it inevitably brings. Until the beginning of the crisis, the company has been investing mainly at the regional level but also in causes of national importance. The focus still remains on the region of Galabovo where the business operates. In an effort to make the municipality of Galabovo a better place for living, ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3 has been financing various infrastructure projects for 9 years. More than BGN 4.5 million have been invested in the construction of playgrounds and sports grounds, renovation and maintenance of kindergartens and parks, a home for the elderly, the local library…
With Krasimir Nenov, Executive Director of the company, we talk about the changed priorities of the business during the crisis and the sustainability of donation policies in the long run.
What causes does ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3 support now? Why do you recognize them as important?
We are currently monitoring and analyzing the situation in the country, we are trying to adapt quickly and to swiftly focus our priorities on adequate and accurate social investment solutions. First of all, we focused on ensuring the health and safety of our employees, their families and our neighbors (we are talking about precautionary measures and equipment, emergency plans, mass testing, providing disinfection spots in public places). Then, as a priority, we identified the most vulnerable groups in the local community and analyzed the urgent needs that this unexpected situation brought about. From the overburdened budgets of the social institutions to the insufficient technical equipment to provide distance learning – in a time of such a crisis, all this proves to be a great challenge for the functioning of various social and other services that support those who are most in need.
Maybe the fact that the United Against COVID-19 Fund backed up the urgent social needs of local communities provoked you to donate to it as well?
Indeed, for us, donating to a fund is not a usual decision. We usually strive to manage our social investments ourselves to ensure their quality and transparency. However, this crisis is not a regional problem, it goes beyond the national and affects absolutely all spheres of business and public life. We can effectively cope with such a problem only together as a community – both as an accumulation of financial resources and as an expertise for its management and focus of efforts. We decided to join in with a donation of BGN 100,000 to the United Against COVID-19 Fund which was launched by the Bulgarian Donors’ Forum, the America for Bulgaria Foundation, the American Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of the United States in Bulgaria. The initiative is close to the way we manage our social investments. It acts clearly and strictly – from the exact criteria for selection and funding of organizations, subsequently – down to the transparency in the management and spending of funds and regular accountability to donors and the general public.
In what direction do you think the business will take in terms of its social investments after the crisis?
We are all already aware that what is happening may not be for a limited period of time but a serious change in our way of life and thinking. From the very onset of the crisis our society – business, the civil sector, the media, the institutions – has shown unprecedented solidarity in the fight against COVID-19. I sincerely believe that this reflects the real attitude of our society to the need to be united in difficult times. With the passing of the first wave and our most serious concerns about what is happening, the role of business and civil society organizations will become greater. We have a responsibility to use our analytical capacity and expertise and to assist institutions and the public in selecting charitable causes and directing social investment where it would be most effective. For now, the focus of ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3’s programs are more on overcoming the consequences of the first appearance of the virus. Then we will look again at projects initiated by us and our local partners as long-term investments in the region. We will continue to support national programs. For example, for the seventh year in a row, our employees have been donating monthly on a payroll for various causes, and the company is doubling these donations. I believe that such programs have great potential – such as that of the For Our Children Foundation – to prevent the abandonment of newborns and young children.
What are your hopes regarding donations after the crisis?
We have seen that in a situation of crisis, people with all kinds of opportunities donate. I think it’s a human trait to want to donate. However, crises probably give a new impetus to empathy. From personal experience I can say that when a person starts donating, they feel an inner need to continue. Many people do things for the neighborhood where they live, for the apartment block, for the neighbors, for the local community, among their relatives. It doesn’t matter if we have named it, formatted it and reported it as a donation, it exists. I believe that more and more people will feel such a natural need to donate. It is extremely important to stimulate donations, to have transparency in raising and spending funds. I think this will become a clearer trend as a requirement by the society. It is especially important to facilitate and structure a process. The United Against COVID-19 Fund is an excellent example in this respect. People will want the donation to be an easy and well-managed act, as well as receive proactive feedback on the results of the donations. I believe that the media which from the very beginning of the pandemic proved to be a natural partner of donation initiatives, will continue to focus their spotlight on donations and donors. I think it will be useful to talk more about donations, models and good practices in softer and more relaxed formats and settings, in a new, interesting and engaging way. I hope that more and more people who donate do not worry when they do so and are willing to talk about their motives and gestures. I expect to talk about donations beyond the financial ones – about the volunteer work, expertise, resources that we have and are ready to share.
Related Information
UNITED Against COVID-19 Fund Supports projects across Bulgaria