Lidl Romania invests over €2.92 million to combat plastic pollution

The sum of RON14.6 million (€2.92 million) was realized in programs developed together with civil society: the ASAP Program (Army of Careful Selection of Plastic); activities carried out by the volunteers of the Zero Plastic Patrol, coordinated by WWF (World Wildlife Fund); the Cu Apele Curate program, coordinated by the Mai Mult Verde Association, which also includes the Cu Apele Curate grants program, carried out in partnership with the Resource Center for Public Participation (CeRe), BlocZero and the Association for Community Relations (ARC), the international project Clean Danube, initiated together with the AWP association, 4 eco-educational camps, 10 community events With Clean Waters and 40 thematic film screenings.

"In its sustainability strategy, Lidl has defined 6 strategic areas of intervention and action: Respect for Biodiversity, Correct Behavior, Health Promotion, Openness for Dialogue, Resource Conservation, respectively Environmental Protection. At the same time, the company continues to get involved in solving social problems in the communities where it is present and to contribute to a better future by supporting long-term strategic programs aimed at both respecting biodiversity and protecting the environment (reducing the presence of plastic in nature, reducing food waste), correct behavior and access to education and medical services (preventing and reducing school dropouts from vulnerable environments, supporting the Romanian emergency medical system and the necessary infrastructure for it) or opening for dialogue (platinum partner of the Embassy of Sustainability in Romania and partner strategic Code for Romania in the Civic Labs project)", states the company.

In the calendar year 2022, the retailer invested over RON38 million (€7.6 million) and supported over 90 NGOs that carry out activities in communities throughout the country, which through their activities and programs have a positive impact at the national level, but also on future generations.

"Under the motto For a better future, together with our civil society partners, we have developed strategic, long-term programs that respond to the real needs of the communities in which we operate. We are aware of the responsibility that comes with the size of our business in Romania, and of the impact we have and can have on society, so we look at those needs that through our resources and the know-how of our partners we can respond to change for the better the communities in which we are present. Annually, we aim to grow these community programs together, acting responsibly for people and the planet. The results obtained and the tangible developments motivate us to continue to get involved for a better future and we know that we have the best partners with us to fulfill this mission", said Maria Mihai, Director of Communication and CSR Lidl Romania.

Also, to reduce food waste, in the calendar year 2022, Lidl Romania contributed over RON1.3 million (€260,000), supporting the development of the national network of Food Banks, as a founding partner.

The company supported, in the calendar year 2022, 7 strategic partners with over RON11.5 million (€2.3 million) for access to quality inclusive education. More than 4,385 teachers participated in training courses in the Step by Step educational alternative methodology and teachers of more than 37,000 nursery and kindergarten children received children's books and professional development resources to support play-based learning activities; Through the strategic partnership with Teach for Romania, in the 2022-2023 school year, more than 130 teachers, teachers and educators who taught in vulnerable public schools were trained and supported. In 2022, 33 schools and 1,300 children benefited from the digitization campaign of the Bread and Tomorrow program of the World Vision Romania Foundation. In addition, 477 children supported in the Bread and Tomorrow program received a hot meal a day, homework help, and participated in the "Summer School" program. 750 high school students discovered their career options through the Leaders Foundation's nationwide "Career Hour" program. 453 children from disadvantaged communities and their parents from Bucharest, Brașov, Iași, and Timișoara benefited from educational and social services.

Lidl Romania supported with over RON1.2 million (€240,000) the development of the emergency services infrastructure, for the change of rescue equipment from the SMURD Bucharest helicopter, to cover the participation fee for 19 doctors who attended a course in Italy for the use of hyperbaric chambers from the equipment of the 4 special vehicles for hyperbaric treatments and oxygen therapy, as well as in the expansion of the national urban intervention project with SMURD motorcycles in 2 new counties, respectively Sibiu and Bihor.

The company also invested over RON2.7 million (€540,000) to promote the sustainable economic model and supported for the fourth year the mission of Code for Romania to digitize the Romanian society, as part of a strategic partnership.

The company financially supported the development of communities with over RON6.9 million (€1.38 million), in partnership with the Federation of Community Foundations in Romania, which offers non-refundable micro-grants for community initiatives for environmental protection and education. Thus, the editions held last year offered financing worth RON2.45 million (€490,000) for 54 civic initiatives, from 10 cities of the country.