EBRD’s Zagreb Office Raises Over €100,000 for Earthquake Victims

The Zagreb office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched a voluntary fundraising initiative, the proceeds of which will be used for the most vulnerable victims of the recent devastating earthquakes in the Sisak-Moslavina County. The fundraising campaign was initiated in collaboration with the Solidarna Foundation. During the month-long campaign, the initiative raised over €50,000 thanks to numerous private donations and support from the Croatian Bar Association. As a socially conscious institution, the EBRD doubled this amount as part of its 'Community Initiative' program, bringing the total amount of funds raised to over €100,000, according to a statement.

The Croatian Bar Association, which has been involved from the very beginning in providing assistance to earthquake victims in the Sisak-Moslavina County, recognized the importance of and supported the EBRD initiative.

– The Bar Associations and the Croatian Bar Association have so far provided more than 1,600,000.00 kuna in financial resources for assistance to earthquake victims. We recognized the project of the Solidarna Foundation and the EBRD, and we are particularly pleased to have participated in it – said Josip Šurjak, President of the Croatian Bar Association.

The EBRD’s 'Community Initiative' program was launched in 2016 as a platform through which the Bank and its employees voluntarily participate in various philanthropic, social, and cultural activities.

– I am very proud of my team’s initiative to help the victims of the devastating earthquake. Our successful campaign, recognized by the EBRD’s 'Community Initiative' program, will have a lasting impact on the lives of these people. New homes, renovated facilities, and, even more importantly, the knowledge and feeling that you are not alone in facing the consequences of this unexpected natural disaster – that is truly invaluable – stated Victoria Zinchuk, EBRD Director in Croatia.

Thanks to the joint effort of the Solidarna Foundation and the EBRD, three priority end-users have been identified for whom these funds are intended.

– In addition to providing for individual families through the construction of solidarity houses and barns, donations will also go to the Children’s Home Vrbina and the Room of Wonders, and will accelerate not only the reconstruction but also the long-term development of social services in the community for children and youth. We consider this an ideal example of good practice in cooperation between various sectors in the development of crisis philanthropy, the results of which quickly manifest in concrete assistance – stated the Solidarna Foundation.

The collected funds will be used to finance the construction or reconstruction of:

1. several private homes within the program 'Solidarity Houses for People', established by the Solidarna Foundation

2. equipping the building of the 'Children’s Home Vrbina Sisak' – an institution that provides out-of-home care services for orphans, neglected or abused children, and children from socially disadvantaged families located in the city of Sisak.

– Thanks to this donation, our children will have additional facilities for meaningful use of their free time, for which we are endlessly grateful – stated the Director of the Children’s Home Vrbina Sisak, Đurđica Pavešić-Herkov.

3. the construction of a new 'Room of Wonders' – a special institution for the therapy and integration of children with developmental difficulties, which cares for the development of hundreds of children.

– Wonders are born where there is a lot of love. We are happy to live in a community that recognizes us and proves it to us every day. With the support of the Solidarna Foundation and the initiative of EBRD employees, we are starting to rebuild our new Room of Wonders together – said the Room of Wonders.

To date, the EBRD has invested over €4 billion in Croatia through 229 projects.

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