Photo: Mplus group
Zagreb, January 3rd, 2025 – As 2024 came to a close, the Mplus team stepped up to make a difference through the "Little Hearts, Big Smiles initiative". Under the umbrella of our internal volunteering program, "ESG Champions", Mplus employees came together to spread joy to children in need across eight countries.
What began as a small idea early on in 2024 surpassed all expectations – a total of 78 Mplus employees volunteered their time to organize donation drives at 20 locations across Germany, Türkiye, Georgia, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Romania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The commitment resulted in the collection of toys, books, and clothing for children in hospitals, shelters, and homes. The initiative directly benefited 17 institutions, spreading warmth and cheer to a number of children and families during the festive season.
Photo: Mplus group
"Little Hearts, Big Smiles" is an initiative that embodies the values of Mplus – compassion, unity, and social responsibility. It is a shining example of the organization’s commitment to creating meaningful change in the communities we serve, made possible by the dedication and generosity of our employees.
The Success of the ESG Champions Program
This initiative also marked a key milestone in the inaugural year of the "ESG Champions", a unique internal volunteering program designed to empower employees to lead efforts that advance Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles.
In its first year, this international program had 25 participants from 9 countries, who spearheaded initiatives that reflected Mplus’ commitment to sustainability and community engagement. Alongside "Little Hearts, Big Smiles", they contributed to several other meaningful projects throughout the year. To honor their outstanding efforts, 6 exceptional contributors were formally recognized for their leadership and dedication: Taşkın Aydemir, Occupational Health and Safety Manager (Türkiye); Venüs Tara Yelkikanat, Marketing and Communications Specialist (Türkiye); Arnela Šarkinović, Contact Center Manager (Georgia); Nataša Karavdija, Junior Hiring Specialist (Serbia); Irina Mastacan, Project Manager (Romania) and Urška Markun, Administrative and Business Process Professional Assistant (Slovenia).
Photo: Mplus group
"Designing and leading the ‘ESG Champions Program’ and the ‘Little Hearts, Big Smiles’ initiative has been a wonderful journey. We never anticipated such widespread participation or the scale of impact this initiative would achieve. Witnessing our employees unite with such passion and commitment to create meaningful change is nothing short of inspiring. To all our volunteers and ESG Champions, thank you for making this vision a reality."
— Tina Hrubi, ESG Coordinator, Mplus
"Participating in the ‘ESG Champions Program‘ in 2024 was an incredibly fulfilling journey. It gave me the opportunity to contribute to impactful initiatives and reaffirm the difference we can make as a team. Being part of this program has been both an honor and a privilege."
— Arnela Šarkinović, CCM, Georgia
Compassion Without Borders
As we celebrate the success of "Little Hearts, Big Smiles" and reflect on the achievements of the "ESG Champions Program’s" inaugural year, we are filled with both pride and gratitude.
These initiatives not only strengthened our commitment to ESG values but also created tangible, positive change in the lives of our communities.
Building on the solid foundation established in 2024, the program is set to further grow and expand in 2025.
