Fourth Ford Resource and Engagement Center Opening in Romania
Ford Fund has announced plans for the establishment of a fourth Ford Resource and Engagement Center and the first in Europe. A $1 million, four-year investment from Ford in partnership with GlobalGiving will support the creation of the FREC Craiova, whose goal will be to foster and support entrepreneurs in Romania.
“Ford Fund has a proud tradition of strengthening the communities that are home to our employees, dealers, suppliers and customers,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “We are excited to bring our transformational Ford Resource and Engagement Center model to Europe and provide access to opportunities and resources that will help make people’s lives better in Romania.”
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Following in the footsteps of two Detroit locations and an FREC in South Africa, the FREC Craiova will provide students and graduates from the University of Craiova with the opportunity to affect positive change in the country through innovation. The Asociatia Pentry Educatie SV Oltenia, a nonprofit that works to provide better futures for the youth of Romania, is a collaborative partner in the project.
“By combining American expertise and enthusiasm for social enterprise with the fertile Romanian entrepreneurship environment, we hope to challenge more young people to become responsible and active members of their local community, driven by the desire to make a difference and be part of a global network. We are grateful and honored to work with Ford Motor Company,” said Professor Leonardo-Geo Mănescu, President of EDUCOL.
Rather than create new facilities, the Romania FREC will operate out of Craiova’s city hall. To help, Ford Fund will also be contributing $100,000 to refurbish the facilities; Ford employees, the University of Craiova, and the City Hall of Craiova are all actively involved in the work, which is already underway.
Ford plans to open a fifth Ford Resource and Engagement Center in Bangkok in early 2019.
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