Being part of Bulgaria means being part of its communities. At JTI Bulgaria, our Community Investment approach has developed over the years through long-term partnerships, local projects and the active involvement of our own people. We work with organizations that know the challenges on the ground, combining financial and material support with something equally important – our colleagues’ time, skills and energy.
One of our largest initiatives today is Drop by Drop, a three-year program, which is part of JTI’s global program to improve access to clean drinking water and better hygiene conditions for vulnerable communities (Global WASH). The initiative is funded by the JTI Foundation and, in Bulgaria, is implemented in partnership with the BCause Foundation. After two funding rounds, the programme now supports 50+ projects across Bulgaria. From improving local water infrastructure and restoring public drinking fountains to creating hygiene services for vulnerable people, the programme is already translating local needs into tangible solutions – with the first supported hygiene centre already operational. At its core is a simple principle: listening to communities and working with experienced partners to create solutions that can make a lasting difference.
But our involvement goes well beyond one program. Our long-standing partnership with JAMBA has supported its Career Center for people with disabilities, while our award-winning Move. See. Help. initiative connected employee wellbeing with a charitable cause - turning colleagues’ physical activity into support for JAMBA. The project was recognized as the Best HR Project for Small/Medium Enterprises by the Bulgarian Association for People Management.
Volunteering is another important part of how we contribute. Over the years, JTI Bulgaria colleagues have planted 500 trees near Sofia, supported a social kitchen for elderly people in Lyutibrod, and worked with Green Balkans on environmental volunteering activities. More recently, colleagues joined the Volunteer Kitchen of the St. Prophet Iliya Foundation in Sofia, preparing more than 900 sandwiches for people in need.
For us, Community Investment is not one project or one partnership. It is about building relationships that last, responding to real needs and giving our people the opportunity to take part themselves. Our contribution also reflects JTI’s Japanese heritage. Through our partnership with the Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria, we support the Days of Japanese Culture - a long-standing programme that brings Japanese traditions, arts and culture closer to Bulgarian audiences.
Our company and team believe that the efforts of businesses to support activities that improve access to important resources and services for different social groups are key to the development of society