Close to You Foundation

General information

A true integration of people with disabilities or coming from vulnerable groups can only be made by using a complete set of social services, individually tailored for each case. As pioneers in the social economy sector we’ve started at Close to You Foundation in 2002 to bring value to the local community. By working with youth in our day centers and ensuring an education, both professional and social, we increase the chance of integration, transforming disabilities into abilities. As training is not enough, in our work integration social enterprise over 40 people with social issues got a paid job that allows them to have an independent life. Others, managed to find jobs on the general labor market using our third service, the agency for placement and job assistance.
Our production line involves tailoring services, digital printing, handmade decorations / bookbinding, an archiving center providing electronic and physical storage, as well as mobile teams that arrange documents according to Romanian regulations. Being the only concept in Romania recognized by the European Commission on sheltered employment we put innovation on top of our list.

With this in mind we’ve developed our Charity Cash & Carry, www.utildeco.ro , providing over 20.000 products made in our workshops or by our do-good vendors, as well as our online travel community https://wise.travel where travelers worldwide may travel in over 160 countries with better prices, while donating the entire revenue made from the purchase.

Thus, our social business ensures a one-stop shop, with educational purposes, workshops to ensure professional qualification and a job agency for migrating on the general labor market. With over 45 national and international awards, this concept was awarded last year with “Social Entrepreneur of The Year” by Ernst & Young during the only global entrepreneurial competition taking place in more than 145 cities from 60 countries, covering over 94% of the global economy.

More information is available at www.alaturidevoi.ro/en