A new Orange project for the community

5 December 2005: Orange is developing its corporate social responsibility programme, that was launched in 2003, through a partnership with the ADEPT Foundation to support an innovative project dedicated to the conservation of landscape biodiversity and the development of rural communities.

The project is aimed at a 100,000 hectare area in the Saxon Villages region of South-eastern Transylvania. This is an important region from ecological and cultural points of view, where a remarkable biodiversity of flora and fauna can still be found, including many species threatened with extinction at international level. Nevertheless, there are a number of immediate threats to the biodiversity of the area - abandonment of grasslands, unsustainable forest management, lack of information, and intensive use of pesticides and artificial fertilisers that can easily and permanently affect the rich flora and fauna and pollute the water courses.

The objective of the project is the conservation of the biodiversity of the area and the promotion of sustainable development, thus offering at the same time direct benefits to local communities.

The programme will begin in the three villages of the Commune of Saschiz, where economic development will be encouraged through the continuation of traditional agriculture consistent with biodiversity conservation, the promotion of traditional crafts, the establishment of small businesses, and the development of rural tourism.

Local community involvement is the key to success in this project. Therefore, an important part of the project will be represented by educational activities in order to promote the understanding that conservation of natural and cultural heritage offers a way to a better future for the local population. Materials will be created for school presentations, and a village information and educational centre will be established.

The project aims at increasing the welfare of the local community, bringing development opportunities for diversified rural businesses, and providing specialised training and consultancy , while at the same time protecting the environment. Farmers will receive assistance in getting financial support and identifying opportunities to market their products and services - rural tourism, crafts - to increase their incomes.

Richard Moat, Executive Director of Orange Romania, states: "We believe that Orange can make a significiant positive impact in community development and for this reason the company takes this responsibility very seriously. The ADEPT project is an example through which Orange puts the corporate social responsibility programme into practice. Through this partnership we will invest € 170,000 in the period 2005-2006 for the development of communities in southeast Transylvania, and for environmental protection. We believe in future and we understand that Orange vision can become reality only if we take care of the environment around us".

Nat Page, Director of ADEPT Foundation, declares: "We are delighted that we can develop this programme alongside Orange and that we can offer over 5,000 households in this rural area opportunities for a better life, better incomes, access to information and educational programmes, and at the same time to conserve the natural heritage that is so important for the future."

 

 

the future's bright, the future's Orange