SUSTAINABILITY
SOCIAL
Investing in Community Development
At United Group, we are guided by a steadfast commitment to corporate responsibility, recognizing our role in fostering positive change within the communities we serve. Our dedication to empowering communities is embedded in our values, driving us to contribute meaningfully to societal progress and sustainability.
Through our companies and foundations, SBB Foundation and Telemach Foundation, as well as
strategic partnerships and targeted investments, we strive to make a tangible impact on society across three core pillars:
Education: Enabling Brighter Futures
Education is the cornerstone of progress and prosperity. At United Group, we believe in providing equal opportunities for all individuals to thrive.
We prove our commitment to empowering future generations and contributing to the growth and development of our community through various programs.
We identify and support exceptional young talents through initiatives such as the “Prof. Njegoš B. Šolak Scholarship” program, offering them the resources and guidance they need to excel academically and professionally. More information is available on SBB Foundation’s website.
“Job Lab” equips high school students with essential t soft skills necessary for success in the modern job market. Our ‘Job Lab’ program, launched by Telemach Foundation Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2021 and expanded to Telemach Slovenia, offers free training to high school students. This includes digital literacy, critical thinking, effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, diversity awareness, and programming for technical high schools.
Summer Internships, available at Vivacom, SBB and Telemach provide university students with valuable on-the-job training, workshops, and other developmental activities, resulting in some of the participants securing full-time positions.
Collaboration with various Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics University Faculties aims to enhancing students’ technical proficiency in programming and product development, including hackathons and expert-led lecture courses.
Partnerships with secondary technical schools, offer students practical, hands-on experience during the summer, complementing their classroom education, and preparing them for the job market.
Through initiatives like “The Good Hackathon”, we actively promote innovation within our communities in collaboration with technical faculties and high schools. This event, throughout the years, brought together numerous teams of students who showcased their digital solutions across various sectors, highlighting the transformative potential of technology and empowering individuals with essential digital skills. Supported by our United Cloud team, the hackathons also included educational workshops, reinforcing our dedication to equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the digital age.
Environmental stewardship: building a sustainable world
Protecting our planet is a responsibility we take seriously. Since 2015, our CSR activities have focused on initiatives to preserve and restore natural habitats.
Biodiversity and Restoration Programs
Through strategic partnerships and generous donations, such as receiving 115,000 basket willow seedlings for Serbia, we have embarked on ambitious afforestation projects. Basket willow trees, known for their rapid growth, serve as vital carbon sequesters and contribute to soil purification and biodiversity.
Environmental Awareness
Through our educational initiatives, we strive to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices among individuals and communities. Our programs empower participants to make informed choices and reduce their environmental impact by providing resources and workshops on eco-friendly practices, waste reduction, and conservation.
Regional Grant Program
Regional Grant Program aims at amplifying initiatives that directly contribute to the growth of our local communities. Initiated at Vivacom in Bulgaria and subsequently extended to Telemach in Bosnia and Herzegovina, our Regional Grant Programme encourages individuals to actively participate in community improvement, preserve natural environments, and enhance educational quality. Engaging a diverse range of small and large organizations within communities, we provide comprehensive support, guiding them at every stage of their projects.
Community Relief: Supporting Those in Urgent Need
In times of crisis, solidarity and support are paramount. United Group stands with communities affected by natural disasters and unforeseen events, providing immediate assistance, resources, and relief efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of those impacted.
Emergency Response Initiatives
In collaboration with local authorities and humanitarian organizations, we deployed resources and expertise to provide rapid response and relief efforts during various emergencies. Whether it is providing free services, distributing food and supplies, or donating funds to offer our assistance, we do our best to support the affected communities during the immediate crises and help them rebuild their lives. For example, across the various countries where we operate, we donated medical equipment and funds, totaling $3 million to fight Covid, and EUR 1 million to two charities to support humanitarian relief efforts related to the war in Ukraine. We expressed our solidarity with the people of Turkey, Syria, and Croatia whose countries were struck by devastating earthquakes and provided free international calls to Turkey and Syria, removed roaming charges for the customers who were in Turkey, and donated for the construction of new balloon sports courtyards as well as kindergarten renovation in Croatia.
Long-Term Recovery Support
Our commitment to community relief extends beyond the immediate aftermath of disasters. We provide long-term support for recovery and rebuilding efforts, helping communities regain stability, rebuild infrastructure, and restore livelihoods. For example, in 2023 our operating entity in Greece, Nova, launched €1 million program dedicated to the rehabilitation and support of areas affected by recent natural disasters, starting from Evros, an area severely affected by fires during the summer. In the first stage, Nova completed wide-scale forest restoration and regeneration projects at the Greek National Park of Dadia.
