The "Costa Crociere Foundation" Opens Application Process for Projects Encouraging Social Solidarity and Marine Sustainability
The newly established foundation is looking for charitable initiatives to fund, in the name of social solidarity and safeguarding the Mediterranean Sea. Nonprofit organizations can apply online through the dedicated website until February 15, 2015
GENOA, June 26, 2015 /3BL Media/ – The “Costa Crociere Foundation” (www.costa-crociere-foundation.com) has started this year’s application process in which nonprofit organizations active in the social and environmental field can propose their projects. Proposals can be handed in via a dedicated online application tool developed specifically for this purpose.
Until February 15, any Italian nonprofit organization that works in the foundation’s program areas can apply through the official website (www.costa-crociere-foundation.com/how-we-work/online- application.28731.html) and submit their project proposals. The two Advisory Boards, each one made up of subject-related experts, will be responsible for the two program areas and review all applications. They will create a shortlist that will subsequently be evaluated by the foundation’s Board of Directors, who will make the final selection of the two projects (one social, one environmental) to be implemented in the upcoming months.
The “Costa Crociere Foundation” is an independently run organization, inaugurated in October 2014, whose goal is to improve the social and environmental conditions in communities in Italy, the home country of Costa Cruises. In following this goal, the foundation will make use of the many resources that are provided by Costa Crociere and its partners.
“We are proud of the work that our Foundation has done so far”, stated Thatcher Brown, Chairman of Costa Crociere Foundation. “We are sure we will find capable partners among the applicants to develop together high-impact projects, benefitting social welfare and safeguarding the environment, as these are fundamental values for Costa Cruises and its foundation”.
In the social program, the “Costa Crociere Foundation” has already organized a few projects addressing hunger, homelessness and material deprivation. The foundation is now aiming to subsidize social projects and initiatives with a focus on education and training, which are powerful weapons against poverty in the long-term. By offering access to tertiary education and specialist job training through specific projects, the “Costa Crociere Foundation” and its partner organizations will be able to direct young disadvantaged people towards a secure and better future.
As far as the environmental program is concerned, the “Costa Crociere Foundation” aims to reduce and prevent marine debris in the Mediterranean Sea, working in cooperation with local communities and nonprofit organizations, through the means of recycling, clean-up activities, as well as information and awareness campaigns. Special attention will be put on plastic, which makes up about 75% of marine waste, representing a threat to marine life, human health and natural ecosystems.
Therefore, the Foundation aims to finance projects that introduce new waste-management infrastructure and more environmentally friendly materials, promote investment in alternative conversion technologies and/or which encourage recycling and reuse, thus protecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Italian coasts.
For further information:
Costa Crociere S.p.A. - Communication & Sustainability Department
Hansjoerg Kunze - Vice President Communication – cell. +39 3387127870 - kunze@costa.it
Gabriele Baroni – Communication Director – cell. +39 349 7668013 - baroni@costa.it
Cristiano de Musso - Head of Corporate Communication - cell +39 334 6805095 – demusso@costa.it
