Corporate responsibility

The corporate social responsibility of Mini Maritsa Iztok EAD is related to the values of sustainable development. For us this is the way we do business. We undertake commitments in order to improve the standards, connected with performance, social development, environmental protection, the standard of living of our employees and society.

Our Company has a responsible attitude towards society and institutions not only on the territory of the districts where the Maritsa Iztok lignite field is located, but towards every national and noble cause.

As always, in 2011 our support was focused on projects, related to health care, art, sports, cultural and historical heritage protection, etc.

Support Provided to Young People

A priority laid down in the Corporate Social Responsibility Programme of Mini Maritsa Iztok EAD is the support for young people. These initiatives increase the chances of young people's success and realization and provide an opportunity for a better future.

In 2011 we provided support for carrying out the 11^th Children's Ethno Festival entitled The Children of the Balkans - in Europe with Spirituality. More than 2000 children from Bulgaria, Moldova, FYROM, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Turkey demonstrated how the authentic culture of various ethnoses and nationalities contributes to the splendor of the common European culture, and showed the unifying role of the universal language of songs and dances. For eleven years now the Children's Ethno Festival has been providing opportunities for creative performance and development of young talents; it has been stimulating the development and the potential of children in out-of-school environment, making them feel committed and responsible by teaching them mutual respect, tolerance and partnership.

We provided support for the participation of students from the region in the International Children's Ester Festival in Bosilegrad again. Every year children from Bulgaria, Serbia, FYROM, Montenegro and Moldova compete in the Easter Painted Egg Breaking Tournament and make a trip from Bosilegrad to the Rila Monastery.

We renewed and increased the book-stock of the libraries in Radnevo municipality by providing educational literature.

Mini Maritsa Iztok EAD has continued its consistent policy in the field of education. Carrying out trainees' externships, as well as externships combining training and travel for students at St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia and St. Ivan Rilski University of Mining and Geology, based in Sofia, contributes to the development of university students and young people every year. An Open Day for pupils and university students is traditionally organized, and that event enjoys great popularity among young people.

Donations

Our Company supports a number of donation programmes. Its policy is aimed at offering efficient and nonintrusive aid.

The support we provide to SOS Children's Villages in order to create families for the children in need, to help shape their future and their participation in local communities has become a tradition. By acknowledging the role of the child in our own development, as well as the role of the family, community, the state and other service providers, we work to find the right way, and each child - their own unique individuality as well.

We support the charity initiative entitled The Bulgarian Christmas annually.

Ecology

One of the major objectives of the Company is to minimize the adverse effects following coal mining operations and through sustainable development to turn the region into a greener and more attractive place to live. Every spring and autumn afforestation is done together with representatives of municipalities on whose areas the deposit of the largest opencast coal mining company in the country is located. The specific regional conditions are taken into account when selecting certain types of trees.

Sports and Health

Going in for sports improves the mental and physical health by developing social responsibility and the capability to cope with challenges. The development of children's, mass and professional sports in the region is of particular importance to Mini Maritsa Iztok EAD. Last year the Company provided some of the funding necessary for the repair of the electricity wiring and the display panel of Beroe stadium in Stara Zagora, and supported the development of basketball, football, wrestling, rhythmic gymnastics and chess in Radnevo, Galabovo and Stara Zagora.

The Land Acquisition and Resettlement Framework Plan

The Land Acquisition and Resettlement Framework Plan has been developed by Mini Maritsa Iztok EAD experts in conformity with the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria and pursuant to the requirements of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The document is public in compliance with the Environmental and Social Policy of the EBRD. Copies have been submitted to Radnevo Municipality and to the local authority of the village of Beli Bryag, Radnevo Municipality. A paper copy of the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Framework Plan is available at the Registry of Mini Maritsa Iztok EAD in the town of Radnevo.

Grievance mechanism

The process of filing and processing of complaints includes the following steps:

Any person or institution has the right to lodge a grievance or an alert to the Management, that names or institutions be kept confidential.
Requests, suggestions and quires can be lodged in MME by phone, fax, and e-mails and as a hard copy, as well as through the four mailboxes situated at the three mines and in the Administration building of the Company. MME has also developed a grievance form approved by the Executive Director –Public grievance form that can be easily filled in. That form for public grievances (See Annex 4) is available for lodging of grievances in the Stakeholders Engagement Plan, and as an electronic version in MME’s website: (www.marica-iztok.com).
Regardless of the form in which they are submitted, the requests, grievances, suggestions, alerts and queries shall be registered the Company’s electronic registry systems “Acstre–office”, with a unique incoming number and the date of their submission. Anonymous grievances and alerts although cannot be replied to for obvious reasons, never less be investigated and the inspections are carried out. If it has considered necessary, the results of the investigation will be publicly disclosed.
Once the document is registered in the Company’s registry systems, all applications put in the contact person’s mailbox to familiarize, assessment and referral to the competent officials for assistance or answer by written resolution within 3 days.
After receiving of grievance or alert (advised by the respective competent person) the Executive Directors should appoint a Committee. In the Composition of the Committee shall in all cases include officials related to the subject matter of the grievance. The Committee has to finalize its investigation in 20 days from the date of receipt of the grievance.
Based on the findings and recommendations of the Commission, listed in the Protocol, a written response shall be issued to the complainant within 5 days, if the grievance is non-anonymous. If the complaint is found that the complainant is legitimate, measures shall be taken immediately to put an end to the identified illegal activities as well as measures to mitigate the consequences. Appropriate measures shall be taken by received anonymous signal.
In case of disagreement with the Committee’s response, a recourse mechanism shall be applied. The order of recourse or appeal can either follow the hierarchical order of management of MME (i.e. The Board of Directors, the Bulgarian Energy Holding, The Ministry of Energy ,The Prime-minister),or it can be directed to The Ombudsman, The National Legal Aid Bureau, etc. .People can seek the rights by judicial proceeding through the National Courts.
“Grievances Register" is registered and maintained by the "Secretariat and communications" Department of MME-Administration Building.