Fibank First Investment Bank started the realization and the financing of projects for the renewal and restoration of seven school libraries under the “Libraries for Bulgarian Schools” programme which is administrated by the “Civil Initiatives Workshop” foundation.
In this way FIBank is aspiring to respond to the needs of the schools in the country and to provide support for the solution of part of the problems connected with the outdated books fund, the lack of new books, textbooks and reference books as well as with the lack of computers and Internet connection. Under the “Libraries for Bulgarian Schools” Programme FIBank and the “Civil Initiatives Workshop” foundation are stimulating the purchasing of Bulgarian books for the school libraries.
The libraries which need support were chosen on the basis of the nominations made by the employees in the local branches of FIBank. Twenty nominated schools submitted their project proposals. The schools, together with the parents’ trustees and representatives of the FIBank’s branches had made thorough analyses of the needs for renewal and enrichment of the library funds.
The councilors group of the “Civil Initiatives Workshop” foundation, together with FIBank decided to support 7 of the submitted proposals: State Comprehensive School of Finance and Economy “Intellect” – Pleven, State Comprehensive School of Commerce “Dimitar Hadzhivassilev” – Svishtov, Primary School “Toma Kardzhiev”– Russe, Copmrehensive School with Teach of Foreign Languages “Romen Rolan” – Stara Zagora, Comprehensive School “Hristo Botev” – Vratsa, Comprehensive School with Teach of Foreign Languages “Petar Bogdan” – Mnotana and Comprehensive School with Humanitarian and Aesthetic Profile “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” – Buras, Comprehensive School with Teach of Foreign Languages “Hristo Botev” – Kardzhali.
The “Libraries for Bulgarian Schools” programme is a new initiative in the FIBank’s entire strategy for investing in society. It is a part of the Bank’s social responsibility fund and it involved the employees of the financial institution for the first time – they did not only donate funds but they were directly engaged with the solution of a certain problem. One third of the financing of each project is provided by the respective branch of the Bank and the rest of the funds are provided by the FIBank’s head office.
The “Libraries for Bulgarian Schools” programme is also valuable for being the first attempt to solve a socially important issue through a public-private cooperation which brought together teachers, parents, citizens, local authorities and business.