Luanda - A total of 25 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have benefited from 500 million kwanzas a year, to essentially finance programmes aimed at social actions for the most needy people, in an initiative of the International Bank of Commerce (BIC), through the project named “Crescer Juntos” (Growing Together).
The project, created in 2022, has already allowed the construction of 26 classrooms and supported 2,500 children, who benefit from food, clothing, medical assistance, schools, among other actions, across the country, according to the general director of the coordinating company of this project, Kymica Humana, Ágata Russell.
Speaking to the press on Monday, regarding the signing of the partnership protocol between BIC and new co-investors, the source added that the project also supported the technical-professional training of 700 people and the social inclusion of 80 visually impaired people in addition to helping to legalize 14 NGOs, which support self-sustainability programmes.
According to Agata Russell, this year, a third of the amount made available annually has already been invested by the bank, in partnership with co-investors.
She said that, in 2023, 454 applications were received, and 25 NGOs were identified and are being funded.
In turn, the chairman of the BIC Executive Committee, Hugo Teles, assured that the institution intends to keep the project active, taking into account the number of people reached and the cause that the bank embraces.
He explained that the project brings together customers, partners and entities, who together with the bank decide on new social projects that require support.
Hugo Teles recalled that in 2023, it consumed 500 million kwanzas, with BIC investing 170 million kwanzas this year, while co-investors provided around AKZ 50 million.
He added that, for candidates applying for the project, they must register on the bank's website or at any BIC bank establishment, be it an association or organization with programs aimed at combating hunger and poverty, as well as social inclusion of the most needy.
The “Crescer Juntos” project aims to identify NGOs and associations that request financial support for their projects, as well as help legalize organizations that still operate informally.
Regarding the signing of the partnership protocol between the bank and the new co-investors, the representatives of the companies Efrasa, Farawell, Leggus, Luanda Moagens, Ponto Alto, Print LAB, Protteja Seguros, Sistec and Centro Óptico Dr. André Grilo, signed the agreement.
At the time, BIC bank honoured individuals and legal entities who supported the project and opened registrations for NGOs and associations for 2025.
ML/QCB/MRA/jmc
