27 WINNERS OF THE SOCIAL PROJECTS CONTEST “WE ARE THE CITY” TO RECEIVE GRANTS FROM “ZAPORIZHSTAL”

On the 7th of June, 2015, “Zaporizhstal” Integrated Iron and Steel Works summed up the results of the social projects contest “We Are the City”. 27 winning projects were chosen out of 163 submitted initiatives, they will now receive grants for developing social ideas, which are important to the city. Each finalist will receive a grant in the amount up to UAH 100 thousand; total amount of funds for paying grants to the winners constitutes about UAH 1.7 million (in 2014 – UAH 1.1 million).

Contest “We Are the City” has been held in Zaporizhzhya for three years in a row within the corporate social responsibility program of Metinvest Group. Its goal is improving social activism of the population and supporting relevant projects, aimed at improving the quality of life in all cities where Metinvest operates.

The contest started in April, contestants were submitting their applications during the month, and in May all projects underwent technical examination and were reviewed by the expert committee consisting of famous and reputable Zaporizhzhya citizens, representatives of various professions and branches of activity. After presentation the expert committee determined the winners, who scored best according to the specified criteria.

The number of participants and winners grows every year: in 2013 there were 15 winning projects, in 2014 – 17 and in 2015 – 27 social projects. There are libraries, schools, charitable organizations, public utility institutions, health care, sports, social institutions and organizations from Zaporizhzhya and Zaporizhzhya region among the contestants.

“The contest grows every year. “Zaporizhstal” Integrated Works traditionally increased funding for the contest, it totaled UAH 1.7 million. I am glad that Zaporizhzhya citizens are genuinely involved, motivated to improve life in the city and in the region. I would like to highlight the wide range of projects, submitted for the contest. There were some very interesting and versatile ideas, covering the most pressing issues of our life”, pointed out the chairman of the judges at the contest “We Are the City”, the Chief Engineer of “Zaporizhstal” Volodymyr Buryak.

As a result, by the end of 2015 the contest participants will implement a lot of social projects of importance to the city in the following directions: urban land improvement and creation of leisure zones; culture, education, sports; support of volunteering, patriotic upbringing of the younger generation. Amateur film festival, first All-Ukrainian home canning festival will be held in Zaporizhzhya, a new play about history of city Zaportizhzhya will be shown to citizens, new art-benches and other interesting and important projects will appear in the city.