Mission
We work with local communities from Ciuc Basin, enabling them to become resourceful and sustainable.
Organisational values
1. Professional sectorial approach – We employ the highest level of professional standards when working with our partners and stakeholders. We do thorough planning, execution, diving deep into details with every project.
2. Progressive approach – We advocate for a mindful, just, inclusive society in the Ciuc Basin and co-work on creating policies based both on sustainability and the needs of our beneficiaries.
3. Education – We believe that the act of all-round education has the transformative power to shape flourishing local communities. We learn and grow together.
4. Sustainable, connected networks – We believe in building and maintaining collaborative networks between non-profit organisations and local stakeholders, so they can develop genuine relationships and community ties based on honest communication.
5. Accountability and civic mindset – We promote engaged, civic mindset and aim to empower and inspire local communities to act on their community challenges in a constructive, structural manner.
Vision
We envision our community in Ciuc Basin with an environmentally conscious way of living within every home, office, school and business. We imagine a region in which people value and take care of their built and natural heritage. We imagine that the members of our community are aware and cherish their own values, while not being afraid to embrace innovation, new opportunities and sustainable practices.
Impact areas
1. Transformative education – Educational projects built on the capacities and skills of our local communities.
Impact:
- 1500+ youths involved in our educational programs, well-adjusted to the local, current realities
- 29 educational institutions involved in our educational programs
- 500 trees’ health and risk assessed in Miercurea-Ciuc @TREESApp
- 1 courtyard ecologically assessed at the @Henter Mansion of Santimbru
- 1 exhibition hall and educational centre in Baile Tusnad – @TusnadEcoBearCave
Future goals:
- 2000+ youth educated
- To be present in all the educational institutions of the Csík Basin with our educational activities
- To establish environmental education based on local particularities
- Exhibition hall and educational centre at @Henter Mansion of Santimbru about storks
2. Connected civil society – Projects building networks, cooperation systems and joint initiatives in our region.
Impact:
- 120+ NGOs part of our consulting programs
- 20+ NGOs involved in our advocacy meetings and part of our consultative network
- 1 digital platform meant to connect volunteers and civil society @volongplatform
- 1 database with the local NGOs of Ciuc Basin
- 2 panel discussions promoting out of the box thinking @holtfapanelphotos @volongpanelphotos
Future goals:
- To further strengthen the resilience and the digitalisation of the civil society within Ciuc Basin
- Minimum 1 panel discussion/year
3. Ecotourism and local economy – Developing the local ecotouristic destination and supporting local artisans, farmers, start-ups and businesses in our community by implementing different comprehensive economic projects.
Impact:
- Strategic management and promoting of local businesses based on natural values and nature-friendly services – @finalist at “Destination of the Year 2023 – Natural Treasures” (Destinatia Anului 2023 – Comori Naturale)
- Developing local human resources
- Revitalisation of the local built heritage through diverse economic projects – @MKBT
- 1 ecotouristic attraction and educational centre in Baile Tusnad – @TusnadEcoBearCave
- 39 ecotourism accommodation facilities supported in the local ecodestination – @https://bailetusnad.eco/
- 3 key strategic partners: @Pro Szent Anna – Lake Saint Anne and Mohos Peat Bog; @Santimbru City Hall – Henter Mansion, a saved heritage; @WWF Romania
- Various local events: Tusnad Glamping Festival; II. Tusnadecobearfest
Future goals:
- 1 ecotouristic attraction and educational centre at @Henter Mansion of Santimbru about storks
- 1 multifunctional visitor centre on human-bear coexistence
- Further development of local human resources
- Strengthening of strategic partnerships on a regional, national and international scale
4. Sustainable community development – Projects focused on conservation, green practices, environmental advocacy, and heritage preservation.
Impact:
- Green practice and green awareness sharing: 1500+ youths involved in our educational programs
- Best practice sharing: 1 courtyard ecologically assessed at the @Henter Mansion of Santimbru
- TREES App: 500 trees’ health and risk assessed in Miercurea-Ciuc @TREESApp
- 20 advocacy meetings with the involvement of 10-12 institutions creating a consultative network
- 1 resolution of the Local Congress of M-Ciuc
- Part of a workgroup focused on the research of human-bear coexistence @CERV
Future goals:
- Further development of TREESApp
- A strong, further commitment toward conservation, green practices, environmental advocacy, and heritage preservation
- Implementing best-practices in the field of human-bear coexistence in our region
- Educating more youth in all the educational institutions of the Csík Basin with our educational activities
- To establish environmental education based on local particularities in educational institutions in the local community
Meet our team:
Fazakas Emese, environmental engineer, toxicologist, has a Master’s Degree in Risk Assessment and Environmental Security, and Toxicology. Currently PhD student at natural scienses department.
Her main professional interest is environmental health risk assessment of metals and organic compounds, environmental exposure assessment, environmental and health data management and statistical analysis; has worked in this field since 2012.
Mrs. Fazakas has a record of participation in numerous national and international research projects, such as: the European Comission’s Environmental Agency’s DEMOCHOPES “Demonstration of a study to Coordinate and Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale” – acronyms COPHES and DEMOCOPHES; the Central-, and Eastern-European Regional Environmental Center’s “Schools Indoor Pollution and Health: Observatory Network in Europe” – acronym SINPHONIE, and US projects such as: “Arsenic contaminated drinking water and spontaneous pregnancy loss” in collaboration with State University of New York, University at Albany, and many other national studies.
She is a founding member of Project Bag Association since 2020, whose main area of interest is the support and mentorship of youth, along with sustainable progress and the preservation of cultural values.
István Imecs has a degree in environmental science and biology, specializing in ecology and environmental protection. Since 2011 he participates as an expert biologist / ichthyologist in the elaboration of basic studies for the management plans of protected areas and monitors investments with has impact on natural watercourses. For the past 11 years he has written and implemented non-refundable projects within non-governmental organizations whih aimed environmental protection and ecological education, ecological restoration and ecotourism activities. He has experience in the management of protected areas, being part of the custody of protected areas in the Lower Ciuc Basin area between 2010-2019.
In 2020, István co-founded the Project Bag Association, which aims to support various programmes for young people, and militates in favor of sustainable development.
Kirmájer Erika has a master’s degree in public management and finance.
With almost 10 years of experience in a multinational finance area, Erika owned different leadership roles, collaborating with diverse teams around the world. She has led multiple recruitment and selection processes for various team lead and management roles, gaining vaste experience in the field of human resource management.
Since 2018, she has led the selection process of the Leaders Foundation for its programmes, assessing high school and university students and also young entrepreneurs, ulteriorly being involved in the recruitment and selection process of the foundation’s employees as well.
She co-founded the Leaders for All Association in 2019, which – through some well-designed leadership and vocational guidance programs – supports the development of high school students and also their labor market integration.
In 2020, Erika co-founded the Project Bag Association, which aims to support various programmes for young people, and militates in favor of sustainable development.
György Leonárd has studies and professional certification in the IT. With over 17 years of experience, he has been an IT manager, social media and digital marketing consultant for over 50 companies in various fields. In recent years he has also worked for NGOs, where he has held the position of marketing and communications manager.
In 2020, Leonárd co-founded the Project Bag Association, which aims to support various programmes for young people, and militates in favor of sustainable development.
Gergely Levente is a financial expert with more than 10 years of experience in the field of financial due diligence. During this time he worked for Big4 service providers and as a financial controller for multinational companies. He believes that financial planning requires precision and creativity. He is a member of Project Bag Association since 2023.