OKTA and “Step by step” Foundation received Philanthropy award

(22.02.2022, Skopje) – OKTA and “Step by step” Foundation are the winners of the 2021 Philanthropy award for their partnership in the project “Be IN, be INclusive, be INcluded”. The prize is awarded by “Horus” Association, which works to promote philanthropy, social responsibility, a culture of donation, civic activism and social entrepreneurship. 

In 2021, as a result of the cooperation between OKTA and “Step by step” Foundation, three inclusive playgrounds were built in the elementary schools “Lazo Angelovski”, Aerodrom Municipality, in Skopje, “OOU Kocho Racin” in Dojran Municipality and “OOU Brakja Miladinovci” in Struga Municipality. The partnership was established within the framework of the project “Be IN, be INclusive, be INcluded”, that is founded by the European Union. The project aims at greater inclusion of pupils with disabilities in primary education in the country, by creating conditions for more accessible infrastructure. 

“As part of OKTA’s corporate strategy for social responsibility, we always strive to establish strong partnerships and to be part of projects that significantly contribute to the community advancement. This award is a significant validation of our commitment towards improving the conditions in education and greater inclusion of children with atypical development. We hope that this project will be an inspiration also for other companies and organizations to get involved and provide their support, because every child deserves an equal opportunity for education and development”, said Marija Stavreva, Corporate Social Responsibility and Communications Manager in OKTA.

In the three schools for which this cooperation was implemented, about 3000 elementary school students attend classes, while 86 of them are pupils with different forms of disability. The playgrounds built with the help of the award-winning project, significantly contribute to the physical development of the pupils with disabilities and offer possibilities for their direct socialization with children with typical development.

“The Foundation “Step by step” for more than 20 years implements activities in the field of education and culture and contributes towards creating conditions for every child to have access to quality education, to develop their full potentials and enjoy their rights. Through education, the children should learn to be empathetic and respect those who are different from them, because no matter how different we are, we all have same rights and enrich our community. The partnership of the project “Be IN, be INclusive, be INcluded” and OKTA-AD Skopje shows that together we can influence the improvement of conditions for students with disabilities in the elementary schools and to serve as an example for other companies in creating an equal society for all. With long-term partnerships like this, we can change our environment for the better”, said Suzana Kirandziska, Executive director of the “Step by step” Foundation, which implements the European Union-funded project “Be IN, be INclusive, be INcluded”.

The prize is awarded as part of the project “SIGN Up for Impact” (Sufl), supported by the member organizations of “SIGN” (a regional network of local foundations from Western Balkans), and funded by the European Union and the Balkan Fund for Democracy.

OKTA and “Step by step” Foundation remain further committed to improving the conditions for greater inclusion of children with disabilities and creating better opportunities for their education, development, better socialization and raising public awareness for the importance of their acceptance in the society.