Fantastico Customers Donated 324,393 BGN for a Safe School and Online Environment

January 3, 2025, Sofia: Fantastico customers donated 324,393 BGN in support of UNICEF's "Steps Together" program, which this year focuses on creating a positive school and online environment for every child. This is the fifth donation campaign held in the supermarkets of the Bulgarian retail chain in support of UNICEF Bulgaria, with a total contribution over the last five years reaching 1,277,076 BGN.

Funds raised from December 5, 2024 to January 1, 2025, with the support of the retailer's customers and employees, will be used to further expand the comprehensive “Steps Together” approach ongoing in 100 schools across the country. They will also support UNICEF and its partners' efforts to create a safer online environment through various training sessions for students, teachers, and parents.

"On behalf of UNICEF, I would like to express our immense gratitude and appreciation for the support of our long-standing partners at Fantastico! Your commitment and generosity have played a key role in the success of the 'Steps Together' program and the positive outcomes for children. Thanks to our partnership, more than 12,000 students today learn in a more positive and safer environment free from violence. But we will not stop here; we will continue until we reach every child to ensure their safety in today's digital world,"

said Christina de Bruin, UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria.

Over the past five years, Fantastico customers and employees have supported various educational initiatives of UNICEF in Bulgaria, aimed at providing inclusive education for children with special needs, as well as creating a positive and safe learning environment for all children. This year, cashiers in the stores of the Bulgarian retail chain were active supporters and advocates of UNICEF's causes for children.

"I am grateful to each of our customers and all colleagues in our supermarkets for supporting this very important cause. For such programs to have a long-term effect, long-term efforts are needed. I am glad that so many people are aware of this and stood behind UNICEF's efforts for a more positive school and digital environment for children. I thank the UNICEF Bulgaria team for their professionalism and pursuit of sustainable results for a better future for young people in our country,"

said Vladimir Nikolov, CEO of Fantastico Group.

Since the beginning of the "Steps Together" program, UNICEF, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science and with the support of Fantastico Group, has reached 12,000 students, over 1,000 teachers, and nearly 6,000 parents. Over the next two years, UNICEF will focus on ensuring online safety for children, aiming to reach 10,000 students, 2,000 professionals, and 5,000 parents.

*UNICEF does not endorse or recommend specific brands, products or services.