The Coca-Cola HBC Foundation donated BGN 200 000 for support of volunteers in the fight against forest fires in Bulgaria

The funds will be used for on-the-ground needs and to strengthen the resilience of local communities against fire risks

In response to the unprecedented situation with forest fires in the country, The Coca-Cola HBC Foundation has provided a donation of BGN 200 000 to the National Association of Volunteers in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAVRB). The funds have already been transferred to the organization and will be used to purchase off-road fire-fighting vehicles, provide essential equipment and tools for fire response, as well as support initiatives aimed at enhancing public preparedness in case of disasters.

“Climate change is causing increasingly frequent and destructive disasters, and volunteer firefighters remain on the front lines in the battle against these forces. The donation from The Coca-Cola HBC Foundation is valuable and timely support, for which we express our sincere gratitude. It is an important step toward better protection of people and nature,” said Yasen Tsvetkov, Chairperson of NADRB.

“Our thoughts are with all those who fight every day against the devastating fires. At Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria and across our Group, we believe that when the state, business and volunteers join forces, meaningful change becomes possible. Our support is another commitment turned into action, and I sincerely hope to see more examples of solidarity,” said Yavor Stefanov, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is the most severely affected country in the European Union by forest fires during the 2024–2025 period, according to data from the Ministry of Environment and Water. In recent months, a state of emergency has been declared in several regions. In this critical situation, hundreds of NAVRB volunteers, who have undergone specialized training, joined the efforts to control the fires side by side with professional firefighters, the military and rescue services. NAVRB is the largest organization uniting volunteer formations in Bulgaria, including clubs and teams throughout the country. The Association supports the establishment and strengthening of local volunteer brigades, which work in close partnership with state institutions and municipalities for faster and more effective responses in emergencies.

The donation of BGN 200 000 for NAVRB is another step in the long-term commitment of The Coca-Cola HBC Foundation to be a reliable partner to communities in difficult times and to contribute to building more sustainable and secure societies. In addition to financial support, Coca-Cola HBC Bulgaria is also supporting volunteers fighting the fires by donating mineral water.

Zoran Bogdanovic, CEO, Coca-Cola HBC, said: “We are always ready to stand by and support the communities we operate in. The donations from The Coca-Cola HBC Foundation will help communities as they recover from these devastating climate-related events. They continue our strong legacy of contributing to communities in a practical way that makes a difference.”

The Coca-Cola HBC Foundation was established in 2023 with the mission to support communities in the countries where the company operates by providing grants to non-governmental organizations in four main areas – community resilience and disaster relief, access to clean water, economic empowerment of young people, and circular economy. Last year, the Foundation funded a few projects, including initiatives for recovery after severe floods in several countries. As part of its ongoing mission, it announced donations totaling €2.3 million to support local communities in Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania following the devastating wildfires and floods, including for the restoration of natural forests and the strengthening of resilience through equipment and volunteer training.