Sponsorships and donations

 

The Electric Power Company of Montenegro (EPCG) is particularly corporate conscious company. We’re especially interested in activities aimed at improving and developing the social and health protection system, the children educational system, the disabled persons and marginalized groups. Also, we’re improving and developing culture and sport through our sponsorship strategy. The EPCG has received two prestigious awards for its corporate social responsibility. In December 2010 we received ’Iskra’ philantrophy award, a special recognition whose aim is to acknowledge corporations and individuals who provide material and financial support and thus represent an example for others when it comes to investing in common cause. The Montenegro’s Chamber of Commerce decided in March 2011 to award the EPCG the prize for corporate social responsibility, because the EPCG has been dedicated to contributing to the Montenegrin society development.

 

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EPCG AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS OF ETF

29-12-2011

EPCG decided that as a part of their activities on corporate social responsibility, to award scholarships to students of Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of Montenegro. Development of EPCG is inextricably linked with the work of ETF in Podgorica, as this educational institution has been training its students for decades, which in the best way possible contributes to the EPCG. In EPCG there are currently 250 engineers with diplomas from EFT Podgorica, which is about 10% of the total number of employees, and which is another proof of mutual and inevitable connection.

Therefore, EPCG, in cooperation with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the University of Montenegro, announced a contest for awarding five scholarships for the academic year 2011/2012. The right to receive scholarships have regular students of specialized studies of Faculty of Electrical Engineering, citizens of Montenegro, with age limit of 25 years and an average grade greater than 8.5.

The amount of individual one-time scholarship is 1,000 euros with the obligation for students to do their internship and gain their first professional knowledge through the work in one of the power plants, hydro power plant “Piva” in Pluzine or thermal power plant “Pljevlja”.

Scholarships were given the following students:

1. Filip Radenović
2. Stefan Vujović
3. Tamara Bojičić
4. Vladan Đurković
5. Ivan Stešević

Electric Power Industry of Montenegro places great importance on the development of human resources, and scholarships for students is one way of such investing. Selection of candidates is consistent with the needs of the Company for the missing profile of experts. We believe that in the future we will extend cooperation between the ETF and EPCG, and that young people who acquire knowledge on Faculty of Electrical Engineering will continue to contribute to the development of energy sector of Montenegro.

 

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CLEANING OF RIVERBED OF MRKOSNICA STARTED TODAY

18-10-2011

EPCG has today started working on cleaning the riverbed of river Mrkosnica, in Niksic’s settlement Strasevina. By recognizing the importance of this project for the local population, following the principle of corporate social responsibility, EPCG has decided that, although not officially in charge of resolving these issues, to provide funds for machinery and hire employees of HPP "Perucica" to clear the riverbed of Mrkosnica.

The waste which piles up in the riverbed creates a clogging, due to which during the rainy season comes to river leakages and flooding of surrounding properties. Some ten families, whose properties are located near the river bed of Mrkosnica, sent a request for assistance to EPCG, which was answered promptly, before the rainy season in order to forestall damages from the flooding.

The plan includes clearing the riverbed at two critical locations, near the bridge and near the Cadjalicka Street in Strasevina. It is also important to mention that HPP "Perucica" and EPCG in the past, on several occasions met the same request of the locals in Strasevina.

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EPCG AND INDEPENDENT TRADE UNION SUPPORTED CAMPAIGN OF FOOD BANK

17-10-2011

In organization of Charitable Foundation Bank of Food in business center Mall of Montenegro in Podgorica, humanitarian action “Podgorica to the north of Montenegro” was held, on occasion of World day against Hunger (16th October) and poverty (17th October). Action is of regional character and is simultaneously organized in all countries in the region where Food Bank is operational. The action was organized by a large number of volunteers in order to promote social solidarity and civic responsibility as well as voluntary work, since 2011 was pronounced as European Year of volunteerism.

In action, which lasted from 14th to 16th October, 8000 cans of food were collected, which will be distributed to 600 families in Bijelo Polje, Berane and Pljevlja. Action, based on the idea of donating and sharing, and on promoting humanity and solidarity among citizens, jointly supported EPCG and Independent Union of EPCG.

Under the slogan “Show humanity, donate food to the poor: You will not notice it, they will not forget it” around 400 students from primary schools and kindergartens throughout Montenegro participated in the contest for best art work on theme of poverty, and made a great contribution to realization of this action.

“With this action we want to show that with little care and humane gesture of socially responsible companies, and individual citizens on one hand, and cooperation between NGOs and state institutions, on the other hand, with the participation of the media, public figures and other actors of society, can greatly contribute to strengthening of civic responsibility and care for each other." it was said from the Food Bank.

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DIDACTIC EQUIPMENT FOR SPECIAL CLASSES IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS “OLGA GOLOVIĆ”, NIKŠIĆ AND “BOŠKO BUHA”, PLJEVLJA

11-10-2011

EPCG provided funds for purchase of didactic equipment for two primary schools in Nikšić and Pljevlja, thus further supporting the process of inclusive education of the children with special needs. Recognizing importance of the process, EPCG as a socially responsible company, decided to support the project initiated by the Ministry of Education and Sports aimed at ensuring undiscriminated education based on equality for children with special needs.

Deputy Minister Vesna Vučurović said that the project ”Network for Supporting Inclusive Education“ was initiated in order to increase number of pupils with moderate and severe developmental disabilities not only in special classes in eight Montenegrin primary schools in which defectologists are engaged, but also in regular classes, thus encouraging cooperation between regular and special classes aimed at fostering the principle of inclusion and deinstitutionalization.  
”The following schools have been included in the Project: Primary School “Olga Golović”, Nikšić; Primary School “Jugoslavija”, Bar; Primary School “Njegoš”, Kotor; Primary School “Ilija Kišić”, Herceg Novi; Primary School “Vuk Karadžić”, Berane; Primary School “Dušan Korać”, Bijelo Polje; Primary School “Boško Buha”, Pljevlja; Primary School “Lovćenski partizanski odred”, Cetinje. The support of EPCG provided for purchase of didactic equipment for Primary School “Olga Golović” in Nikšić and “Boško Buha” in Pljevlja is significantly important and represents a good example of social responsibility. Such a support to the educational system creates the basis for interaction of the children with special educational needs, not only with their peers but also with the social environment and community. Therefore, it becomes possible for the children to be educated under the conditions suitable for their needs, enabling them to achieve the objectives, abilities and qualities fully respecting their dignity, equal and vested rights”, Ms. Vučurović said.

EPCG provided the total of EUR 4,000, i.e. EUR 2,000 per school for purchase of didactic equipment. Didactics implies the following: concrete, clear and precise instruments for work with children with disabilities in intellectual development (specialized: puzzles, picture-books, jigsaws, children notebook, dice, constructors, wooden stimulative didactics, etc.), additional specialized teaching instruments for children with autism (visual and pictorial alternative expressive and communicative forms, CD players, DVD players enabling alternative forms of communication and learning), additional specialized instruments for children with sight impairment (CDs with stories, enlarged pencils, notebooks with matt paper, constructor games, tactile didactics, magnifying glass, etc.), additional specialized and teaching instruments for children with combined disabilities.

Director of Primary School "Olga Golović“, Slobodanka Žižić, states that the inclusion is a time-consuming and complex process implying changing and strengthening of the capacities of educational environment for functional acceptance of differences. Reminding that the inclusion also implies use of modern teaching instruments, Ms. Žižić emphasizes that "donation of EPCG has huge significance for the school, especially for nine pupils attending the classes according to adjusted programs.

"Purchase of didactic equipment leads to improvement of the teaching process, thus further resulting in the quality of learning and acquiring of knowledge. Applying modern and concrete teaching instruments will also lead to more quality teaching, better approaching of the needs and interests of children, easier and more permanent learning and understanding. Therefore, the teaching process will be enhanced in terms of organization and quality and become more attractive, available and interesting", Slobodanka Žižić said.

Director of Directorate for Public Relations of EPCG, Rajko Šebek, expressed his pleasure for contributing once again to the public welfare, the realization of which will produce quality conditions for life of children with developmental disabilities and support their inclusion in the educational system.

”It is our pleasure to even slightly contribute to establishing the society of equal opportunities. EPCG will certainly, as it was the case in the previous 100 years, continue to support similar projects, striving to contribute to development of the social community in addition to development of energy sector", Mr. Šebek said.

Presentation of the Project ”Network for Supporting Inclusive Education“ in Primary School ”Olga Golović” envisages the workshop dealing with promotion of the rights of pupils with developmental disabilities among their peers from regular classes in which children from special classes will be integrated. The workshop will be managed by Nataša Barović, a disabled person, employed in Primary School ”Blažo Jokov Orlandić” from Bar. The workshop will also deal with topics from Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Children with Developmental Disabilities.

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DONATION TO THE HOSPITAL OF NIKSIC ON THE OCCASION OF 101-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF EPCG

19-08-2011

On August 19, 1910, the Montenegrin sovereign Nikola I announced beginning of operation of the first power plant for public purposes in the capital of Cetinje, after which Cetinje got electricity lighting, even significantly earlier than much more developed European countries at the time. The date of this remarkable event is celebrated as the Day of  Elektroprivreda Crne Gore.

This year’s August 19 and 101st anniversary of the successful and continuous development of EPCG, is marked by a corporate responsible activity. Having in mind actual circumstances and requirements, EPCG decided to donate EUR 15,000 for equipping of reconstructed Internal Medicine Department in the Hospital of Nikšić.
The Hospital of Nikšić is one of the biggest and oldest medical institutions in our country, with 124 years of tradition. Donating of the mentioned medical institution, at the very beginning of the second century of our Company’s existence, we aim, beside our primary intention to support Montenegrin health care system, to emphasize once again that in the future both the state and society may rely on the full contribution of EPCG, without being limited only to our core activity- electricity generation and distribution. 

„I would like to thank EPCG for this important donation which shall result in more quality conditions for treatment of our patients. Also, I would like to pay respect to the management of EPCG which continuously recognizes interests of the Montenegrin health care system, to mutual content. Let me remind you of a very important fact – EPCG itself provided a significant funds for purchase of the first multislice scanner in Montenegro particularly in our Hospital“, doctor Ilija Ašanin, director of the Hospital in Nikšić, said on this occasion.

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EPCG AND BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

July 2011

Electric Power Industry of Montenegro has decided, in addition to Water Polo and Swimming Federation, to secure their support for the Basketball Association of Montenegro as well.

Support of EPCG refers to the creation of sporting, financial and organizational conditions for achieving quality sporting results of all selections of the Association in international competitions, but also for creating a foundation for improving work with junior teams of the Association.

Winning a brilliant sixth place among 16 best teams of Europe on its debut at the European championship for female basketball players in Poland, shows that on this occasion we made the right choice. Montenegrin basketball players were the focus of the Montenegrin public – and with great games and results they won the hearts of both the public and the fans of basketball and sports.

In the future, more precisely on August 31st, Montenegrin male team will play at the European Championships in Lithuania. We believe that they will with their best efforts, playing with their mind and hearts, give their best in the game for the national team of Montenegro.

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SUPPORT TO WATER POLO AND SWIMMING FEDERATION OF MONTENEGRO

31-05-2011

EPCG is for several years the general sponsor of Water Polo and Swimming Federation of Montenegro.
Old rule is that the winning team needs no changes, and to be a part of a team, which on superior way represents Montenegrin sport, is a privilege and obligation. EPCG is committed to contribute to the affirmation of top sporting and competitive achievements.
We have proved it many times, and we are especially proud to have been with the state's water polo team at the moments when they inscribed history of Montenegrin water polo and sport in general with golden letters - first in Malaga at the European Championships, then on the largest planetary sports festival the Olympic Games in Beijing, and then in the World League in Podgorica and on the European Junior Championships in Istanbul.
Summer ahead of us brings new challenges for the water polo team of Montenegro, in which players will respond with their superiority and will once again occupy the throne - a place which objectively belongs to them. Let us be with the Montenegrin Sharks in the final tournament of the World League which will be held from 21 to 26 June in the Italian city of Florence and later at the World Championships which will be held in the distant Shanghai, from 18 to 31 July.

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€ 250.000 HAS BEEN GRANTED TO FLOODED AREAS

Huge flooding wave at the end of November and the beginning of December last year caused immense damage to inhabitants of some Montenegrin areas. Therefore, the Board of Directors of EPCG decided to grant €250.000,00 to the jeopardized eleven Montenegrin municipalities in order to mitigate and partially heal consequences of unprecedented weather conditions.
Negative flooding effects were considerably reduced thanks to our system of reservoirs. Timely control of valves on Vrtac dam resulted in reduced flooding and reduced material damage in the field of Nikšić and downward in the area of Slivlje.
Srđan Kovačević, the Board Chairman of the EPCG: ‘The Board of Directors decided to reduce flooding consequences in this way. Also, the Union of the EPCG provided financial support to flooded areas within the limits of its possibilities. Our local distribution teams have tremendously helped in order to overcome difficulties caused by floods, each distribution unit having been organized 24h home attendance to ensure for safety of people, avoid possible problems on energetic network and ensure regular electricity supply.’
Let us remind that in January 2010 the EPCG also granted €100.000,00 to Montenegro’s flooded municipalities - Podgorica, Cetinje, Nikšić and Ulcinj.

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€100.000 GRANTED TO HEAL DAMAGES CAUSED BY FLOODS

The Electric Power Company of Montenegro granted €100.000,00 to heal damages recently caused by floods in Montenegrin municipalities. The Board of Directors of the EPCG decided to help inhabitants of endangered areas in the municipality of Podgorica with €40.000,00. €30.000,00 were granted to the municipality of Cetinje and 15.000,00 to the municipalities of Ulcinj and Nikšić each. We hope that weather conditions would soon allow stabilization of flooded areas for the inhabitants to return to their normal life.

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SUBSIDIES FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFICIARIES

For quite a while, the Montenegro’s Government and the Electric Power Company of Montenegro have been subsidizing bills for electricity spent by social security beneficiaries. The right to the electricity bill subsidy is entitled to beneficiaries of the material family security, disability benefit allowance, carer’s allowance, foster-family placement and material security of war veterans.
Subsidy for electricity bills involves 40% discount for bills not higher than 60€. In case of a higher monthly consumption the bill is reduced by €24.
The right to subsidy requires the relevant format to be fulfilled – the request for the bill subsidy, which is then delivered to the local supply unit. The request must contain all the information and necessary documentation.
For all additional information users can address the Consumer Center to phone no. 020 204 262.

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„LA VERDI“ SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO MARK THE EPCG’S 100 YEARS LONG TRADITION

The central ceremony on the occasion of celebrating hundred years old tradition of the EPCG was held on December 22, 2010 in the wonderful Montenegrin National Theatre.
Alongside the highest state officials and the diplomatic corps representatives, the ceremony was also attended by political, cultural and economic representatives of our country, as well as by the EPCG’s management.
In anticipation of Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the Electric Power Company of Montenegro, as the company which has been successfully monitoring development of a Montenegrin society delighted the Montenegrin public by the concert of a prestigious ‘La Verdi’ Italian symphony orchestra.
The concert was arranged in cooperation with the Italian Embassy, the Music Centre of Montenegro and Montenegro’s Ministry of Culture, preceded by the shortened documentary film titled ‘Hundred years in ten minutes’ on development and construction of energetics in Montenegro.

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DONOR'S EVENING ORGANIZATION

On December 17, a donor's evening was organized by Montenegrin Electric Enterprise in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare in Hotel Crna Gora –Podgorica, designated to help socially vulnerable categories of inhabitants in the country.
The donors' evening was a success, since in addition to EPCG JSC Nikšić which donated 50 thousand euros for the help to the most vulnerable categories , also  that evening another 70 thousand euros were donated. The value of the donated funds currently amounted to 200 thousand euros, to a larger extent was increased by gifts of the municipalities Podgorica and Bijelo Polje which allocated per one apartment to two families.
During the donors' evening, mayors of these two towns Miomir Mugoša and Tarzan Milošević decided to allocate apartments to poor families.
The Chairman of the Board of directors of EPCG JSC - Nikšić Srđan Kovačević, in his speech at the donors' evening, said that a great number of partners responded to the invitation of EPCG and thus they demonstrated their humanity.
Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Suad Numanović said that he believed that this way of help would become a tradition and that the number of donors would increase.
About 50 companies took part in this activity, mainly business partners from Montenegro and region.
Also, citizens of Montenegro had the opportunity to participate in this humanitarian activity. However, by January 17th they could have send a message to the number 14683 from any mobile network in Montenegro and thus they could have helped the poorest. The price of a message had been 1 euro including VAT.

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SUPPORT TO THE INSTITUTE FOR CHILDHOOD DISEASES AT THE CLINICAL CENTER OF MONTENEGRO

Christmas and New Year remind us of giving, joy and smiling. Heading toward these holidays, EPCG brought light not only into the rooms of the Institute for childhood diseases at the Clinical center of Montenegro but also illuminated eyes of the children who are treated in the mentioned Institute.

Namely, our company provided a donation in sense of adequate lighting and reconstruction of one room in the Pediatric Department and one in the Intensive Care Unit.

During our visit to the Institute, we found the condition in rooms very bad and inadequate for stay of children; therefore, the decision about providing support for reconstruction of the rooms was unanimous.

FU Distribution organized and completed all the activities within only ten days. New lighting was brought and walls were painted and decorated with childhood story characters as a gift of EPCG to the Institute for childhood diseases. In return, we got even more beautiful gift – smiling faces of the children and employees in the Institute.

Ceremony on occasion of the donation was held in the Institute for childhood diseases on December 10, 2009. Doctor Vesna Miranović, director of the Institute for childhood diseases, expressed her gratitude for the donation of EPCG related to bringing light into the Institute in the spirit of its core activity. Representatives of the International Women’s Club of Montenegro, who were good mediators between the Institute and our company, expressed their pleasure for the action, saying that EPCG is a company aware of the value and beauty of giving, especially giving to those who really need help.

We consider this could be a good example for other companies, proving that support to those who most need it may be provided even in the period of global crisis.

 

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PAINTING EXIBITION "DOBRA ENERGIJA"

Painting exhibition “Dobra energija” was opened in the gallery “Nikola Prvi” in the King Nikola’s Palace in Nikšić. The exhibition comprised paintings of our famous artists which are a part of the large collection of EPCG. Ranko Vojinović, Executive director of EPCG AD Nikšić, opened the exhibition.

- Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to be in the company of art admirers and those with powerful sense of esthetics and true values.  Therefore, let me first welcome you and express gratitude for the positive energy of yours and I believe paintings which are a part of the large collection of the national energy company have also contributed to the mentioned – Ranko Vojinović, Executive director of EPCG, said.

- Dear friends, you can see the canvases of famous artists such as Vojo Stanić, Nikola Gvozdenović – Gvozdo, Branko Filipović – Filo and others whose artistic expressions certainly represent permanent values and inevitable segment of the Montenegrin heritage catalogue – Mr. Vojinović added.

- In cooperation with the Center for Culture Nikšić, we decided to present you 17 paintings from our collection. I would like to add that this exhibition is just the beginning of our cooperation with the said institution and our small contribution to the event “Septembarski dani”. Furthermore, aiming at proving more pleasure to the cultural public, exhibition of sculptures owned by Elektroprivreda Crne Gore is also to be organized. I would also like to announce development of the new catalogue of the pieces of art from our collection which is soon to be available at the web site of EPCG.  Finally, in sense of our corporate slogan “Pokrenimo dobru energiju” (“Let’s activate good energy“), I declare the exibition open – Executive director of EPCG said.

 

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TRADITIONAL DONATIONS ON THE OCCASION OF THE CORPORATE DAY

EPCG has been carefully developing the image of a socially responsible company for a number of decades. It is recognized as a company which supports health care system, culture, sport, and especially institutions of a particular social importance.

Traditionally, the corporate day is the occasion appropriate for award of donations and this year we decided to support the following institutions with EUR 15,000 each:

Specialized hospital for lung diseases “Dr Jovan Bulajić” - Brezovik,

Specialized institute for children and adults “Komanski most” - Podgorica,

Public institution Old people’s home „Grabovac“ - Risan,

Public institution Old people’s home - Bijelo Polje,

NGO „Zračak nade“- Daily center for children with developmental disabilities - Pljevlja

Donations are awarded to the institutions of a special social importance.

 

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DONATION TO THE HOSPITAL “RISAN”

Specialized hospital “Vaso Ćuković“ in Risan is one of the most important Montenegrin health care institutions. It is recognized as a center for prevention, diagnosis and medical treating in the field of orthopedics, neurosurgery and neurology.

Humanism and devotion of doctors to their patients is also recognized and acknowledged, thus having a good reputation with the patients, doctors, assistants and   citizens in general.

EPCG provided funds for purchase of scanner PQ 5000 (picker) which serves for x-rays scanning of the head and body. Purchase of this instrument is significantly important, being the first of the kind purchased for the area of Boka Kotorska. Providing of medical services in the Specialized hospital in Risan is significantly improved therewith. This donation is a result of our recognition of the importance of this health care institution and sincere desire to contribute to its development.