Tirana Times
Tirana, April 12 – Albi Greva, director of the Vodafone Foundation Albania, has long been an observer and advocate of community improvement and environmental protection. Indeed, since the fall of Albanian communism, there has been plenty of work for such social responsibility programs to tackle. Perhaps naturally, then, when a position became available at the Foundation, the former UNDP employee applied successfully.
Following his appointment, Mr. Greva describes the success of his work and the funded projects with satisfaction.
“A total of 70 projects have been implemented by NPOs in the last 4 years of operation, along with 21 winning projects of the “World of Difference” program. On top of these, 9 projects were funded as responses to humanitarian emergencies.”
“Among these, there has been a considerable number of projects dedicated to supporting people with disabilities, projects dedicated to the elderly in need, to orphan children, to autistic children, and to children of the Roma community, as well as many other beneficiaries.”
In fact, one of the Foundation’s most notable projectsעOpen a Window”נenabled the education and social integration of the blind in Albania. The project consisted of a basic communication platform created in five project areas to support the hands-on training, communication and assistance of blind persons. These platforms are now permanent and will also function as a network of mobile teams, fully enabled to multiply the project’s results in other community centers.
Another project, aims to enhance the capabilities and wellbeing of the disabled by organizing Special Olympic Games. This event features special training for the disabled participants throughout Albania, with the goal of establishing a representative group of Albanians with disabilities who can represent their country in the World Special Olympics.
While such projects have the potential for extensive positive impact, the question of sustainability arises in light of the fact that the Vodafone Foundation Albania officially sponsors initiatives for a maximum duration of one year. However, recognizing this factor, Mr. Greva quickly eliminates doubt by noting the importance of his collaboration with supportive business partners, donor representatives, officials of public administration, civil society activists, and volunteers who assist in the challenges faced by initiatives and communities in need.
Under Mr. Greva’s watch, the Foundation has also taken the initiative to respond to emergency situations.
“We have done our best to use our capacities and resources in responding to any humanitarian disaster that strikes in the fastest way possible. Amongst others, we can remember the school reconstruction in Gerdec, the operations for aid distribution by the Albanian Red Cross in cases of emergency situations created by bad weather (floods or snow) for thousands of families in need, as well as other disasters such as aiding families affected by the Gerdec explosion, the collapsed building in Gjirokaster, and the displacement of Roma families.”
Most recently, however, the Foundation’s director proudly describes his latest initiative: mobile telemedicine. With the aim of assisting the access to health care for the people in remote areas, 3G mobile communication technology is employed to send periodic health tests conducted by the Albanian Red Cross in these areas, to Hygeia Hospital in Tirana. This, in turn, allows specialized physicians to provide a timely diagnosis for each participating patient.
“I truly share the pride of the mission’s success, and these experiences of the difference we make. The donation provided by the Foundation on an annual basis represents a considerable contribution by a business for the case of Albania, estimating almost half a million Euros per year. Regardless of financial crises or other commercial reasons, this amount of annual contribution remains unchanged every year. I always consider it is a privilege to work for Vodafone Albania Foundation,” concluded Mr. Greva.
The Vodafone Foundation Albania is the implementation of a corporate responsibility policy. More than 20 years ago, the first Vodafone Foundation in the UK was announced. Later on, upon the expansion of the business at a global scale, new Vodafone Foundations were created in a number of countries. In July 2007, Vodafone Albania Foundation was established as the 24th foundation out of 27 foundations around the world.
