The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation invites companies and individuals to join efforts to support the urgent needs of elderly people.

• 3.7 million elderly people make up Romania’s resident population in 2023
• Material hardship, poor health, and loneliness are among the top issues affecting seniors
• 4,000 elderly people will be supported through the Foundation’s dedicated social projects

The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation is launching the The “Respond with Heart to Lonely Seniors!”material aid, material aid, de practical support, and emotional assistance through The Fund for the Elderlyfinanced by donations and sponsorships.

“Respond with Heart to Lonely Seniors!” is a call addressed to entrepreneurs and business leaders, whom the Royal Foundation invites to join efforts to support the urgent needs of elderly people, for whom time is no longer an ally. Allocating 20% of corporate or personal income tax from 2023 and/or redirecting unused tax from 2022 through Declaration 177 represents a valuable opportunity to use taxes for a concrete cause. Through The Fund for the Elderly, together we can be the voice that responds, comforts, and helps as many seniors as possible.  

 When the phone no longer rings and the house is empty

Many of the elderly people around us become invisible, waiting days on end for someone to cross their doorstep or for the phone to ring so they can hear a human voice.

4,000 elderly people affected by loneliness and facing difficult life situations rely on the support of The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation. Social services, counselling and guidance, and community support are essential for a dignified life and for easing loneliness.

In 2023, statistical data provided by the National Institute of Statistics regarding elderly people in Romania remained concerning: the resident population of elderly people over 65 exceeds 3.7 million, and nearly 1.9 million of them live alone (including seniors who have lost their partners, as well as those who are unmarried or divorced). According to indicators from the National House of Public Pensions related to Pillar I, the average state social insurance pension in November 2023 was RON 2,009

Organisations and volunteers mobilised by the Foundation in support of elderly people

Through the generosity of corporate and individual donors, The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation has so far supported 3,000 seniors this year and awarded grants to 23 NGOs in Romania de ONG-uri din România which, through local social services, addressed various needs of elderly people in their communities.

The number of people in difficulty seeking help is increasing, and The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation aims to support over 4,000 seniors next year through its own social projects and through social partners. To meet the urgent needs of elderly people, the Foundation supports an active network of social services in various communities and mobilises hundreds of volunteers Elderly people benefit from: material aid - social vouchers, hygiene and sanitary or paramedical products, essential goods; practical support – home care or housekeeping, delivery of groceries or medication, social counselling and guidance toward accessible community support services emotional support, through social activities, loneliness-alleviation services, or psychological counselling.

How can companies and individuals contribute?

For elderly people in difficult situations, time is not an ally. The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation aims to help over 4,000 seniors in 2024, and such support requires additional resources. To this end, the Foundation calls on companies and individuals to get involved.

Companies can allocate 20% of the corporate tax due to the state for fiscal year 2023 to a social cause and can submit Declaration 177 to the National Agency for Fiscal Administration to redirect tax from 2022, if the sponsorship expense did not exceed the legal cap. The amount available for sponsorship can be calculated at www.sponsorizez.ro.    

Individuals can make a one-time or monthly online donation at fundatiaregala.ro//donationline or by sending the SMS SINGUR to 8844, can contribute 2 EUR per month

Funds raised will be used by the Foundation for:

• Responding to requests from seniors and identifying resources or solutions to their problems
• Alleviating the loneliness of elderly people who lack a social circle or someone to talk to
• Encouraging able seniors to become active again and volunteer in their communities
• Psychological counselling and emotional support for seniors through specialists and volunteers
• Access for elderly people to services such as care, practical support at home, or social canteens
• Material aid through packages or social vouchers for seniors in the most difficult situations
• Supporting organisations or volunteer networks that deliver medication or groceries to homes
• Susținerea organizațiilor sau rețelelor de voluntari pentru a livra medicamente sau cumpărături acasă
• Sharing the spirit of the holidays through home-delivered meals or organised gatherings for lonely elderly people

Companies wishing to sponsor can download and complete the contract(s) at: https://sponsorizez.ro/varstnici/

Individuals can contribute with a monthly donation by accessing fundatiaregala.ro/donationline.

Media partners of the campaign: Radio România Actualități, Radio România Antena Satelor, Radio România Regional, Radio Trinitas, Zenith Media