Marfin Popular Bank sets Social Responsibility high on its priorities and upgrades its activities and its contribution to strengthening social cohesion, the environment, culture and athletics.

Through initiatives and actions which have been established as important annual events, Marfin Popular Bank has consolidated its position and prestige as a top financial organisation with an anthropocentric philosophy, vision and responsibility for the development of the society in which it is operating.

The Bank, by developing a stable relationship of transparency and trust with the society at large in all the countries in which it conducts operations, ensures its development strategy and the long-term interests of its associates.

Social Activities
The Radiomarathon for children with special needs constitutes the most important institution for social and humanitarian contribution in the country. The Radiomarathon supports every year hundreds of families as well as foundations and associations which provide care, training and employment to children with special needs. In Cyprus, the 19th Radiomarathon managed to collect an amount of €2.525.452. It also carries out similar activities in other countries.

In Greece, by organising the Marathon of Love for children with special needs and particular abilities, we support financially more than 550 foundations, associations and families in Greece, thereby helping improve the conditions of life, education and medical treatment of these children. During the period December 2008 - January 2009, the Marathon of Love for the Child, which was held by Marfin Egnatia Bank, in collaboration with Marfin Foundation and with the support of Marfin Investment Group, provided support to even more foundations and families, in addition to associations and organisations which offer help and hospitality to children suffering from congenital heart ailment, leukaemia and other serious diseases as well as to children growing up in boarding houses and orphanages.

Furthermore, in Greece Marfin Egnatia Bank provides support to athletic clubs in which children and young people enjoy their beloved sport. The programme of financial support to the children’s section of athletic clubs started in 2007 and will be continued because the youths in every neighbourhood should have the possibility to participate in the joy of athletics which has multiple beneficial effects and prevents dangerous deviations. The support programme is mainly addressed to amateur clubs, while special emphasis is placed on clubs in distant areas. These funds finance mainly material and technical equipment, the improvement of training areas, as well as the participation in championships and tournaments within and outside Greece.

The Bank Group participates in Marfin Foundation which was set up with the aim of contributing to the more effective management of the already multifarious social and humanitarian activities of the Group. These activities cover several areas with emphasis on assistance to people of low incomes facing health problems, children with special needs, the young, environmental protection, assistance to fire-stricken areas and forest protection.

Cultural Centre in Cyprus
During its 25-year contribution to society, the Cultural Centre has created a tradition of multifarious activities, which have left their mark on the cultural life of the country. The Centre’s main activities are exhibitions and other events, publications, educational programmes and the maintenance of significant collections. In 2008, the Centre presented an important exhibition on the history of Entertainment and Recreation in Cyprus from Antiquity to Independence and a corresponding publication, entitled “Thru Chords and Chorus”.

In 2008 also, Basil Steward’s “ My experiences in Cyprus” describing his journeys in Cyprus, which was first published in 1904, was reprinted while the Museum Educational Programmes continued, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Marfin Laiki Football Championship
As from 2007 and for five consecutive years, Marfin Laiki Bank is the exclusive sponsor of First Division Football Championship of the Cyprus Football Federation. Through this sponsorship, we support financially the football clubs, while at the same time athletic symposiums are held aiming at cultivating the athletic spirit and fair play, especially among children and young people.

Road Safety Week
For the 10th consecutive year, Laiki Insurance, jointly with the Traffic Department of the Cyprus Police organised the Pancyprian Road Safety Week with the objective of cultivating road conscience and culture amongst children.

Protection of the Environment
The activities of the Group’s Social Responsibility Programme place emphasis on initiatives regarding the protection of the environment.

In Athens in collaboration with the state “Management Body of National Forest Park of Parnitha” a project is under way for the upgrading and protection of Parnonas, which includes reforestation projects, protection of Forest Park, construction of water reservoirs, fire observatories, a meteorological station, as well as the provision of the necessary fire fighting equipment. At the same time, a pioneering study is being implemented for the management of visitors to Forest Park, vehicle circulation, visits by schools, scientific research and other events of forest recreation.

The ecosystem of Parnonas in Peloponnese consists of many areas which have come under the Network of Protected Areas NATURA 2000. In cooperation with the local Forest Authority, various forest protection projects are being implemented. Already, the Bank has handed over to the local authorities the first part of equipment and forest protection material which includes a vehicle equipped with an autonomous fire-fighting system, complete fire-security equipment as well as a map of Central Parnonas, compatible with GPS.

Furthermore, in collaboration with the Fire Service of Cyprus, the Fire security week was organised for the 8th consecutive year, aiming at the creation of the right behaviour and mentality regarding the hazards that fire is fraught with, and the necessary preventive measures.