PepsiCo Romania is redirecting over 550,000 euros from its corporate income tax to five civil society and academic organizations to support projects that will be implemented between 2026 and 2028.
These initiatives focus on expanding access to education for children and young people from vulnerable backgrounds, developing technical skills, preparing the next generation of farmers, and improving access to water in rural communities across Romania. The projects implemented by the beneficiary organizations address areas that also align with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), the company’s end-to-end strategic transformation that puts sustainability at the center of its business model and aims to build a stronger, more resilient future for PepsiCo and the communities where it operates.
“Through these partnerships, we continue to contribute to the sustainable development of the communities we are part of. We support access to quality education and professional development opportunities for young people, help prepare future generations of specialists and leaders in industry and agriculture, and stand alongside rural communities facing challenges related to water access. The expertise of our partner organizations is essential in ensuring that these initiatives create tangible, lasting change for the communities they serve,” said Mihaela Hristea, General Manager, PepsiCo East Balkans.
Education and opportunities for the future
The National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, with support from PepsiCo Romania, is launching Technical Future Academy, an initiative that marks a new stage in the collaboration between the two organizations and builds on the experience of the Campus PepsiCo program. The initiative aims to increase students’ interest in industrial fields, support the development of professional skills, and facilitate the transition from academia to the workforce.
At the same time, PepsiCo Romania continues its partnership with World Vision Romania, first established in 2021, through the “I Want to Attend 9th Grade” program, which helps students from vulnerable backgrounds continue their education in high school. Through financial, educational, and psychosocial support, as well as the provision of hot meals, the initiative helps reduce the risk of school dropout.
The company is also continuing its collaboration, launched five years ago, with Casa Bună Association, helping facilitate access to education for children from vulnerable communities through integrated educational support and personal development programs delivered in a safe and stable environment.
Developing leaders and entrepreneurs in Romanian agriculture
Agriculture plays an important role in the development of Romania’s rural communities. To help prepare the next generation of farmers and entrepreneurs, PepsiCo Romania supports members of the farming community through the “Young Leaders for Agriculture” and “Entrepreneur in Agriculture 4.0” programs run by the Romanian Farmers’ Club for High-Performance Agriculture. These initiatives foster leadership, management, and entrepreneurial skills while contributing to the competitiveness of Romanian agriculture.
Solutions for water access and rural community resilience
Water is an essential resource for rural communities and agriculture. That is why PepsiCo Romania supports the “Water Is Identity. Daia and Cernat” program, implemented by the Human Made Art Association, which aims to improve access to water and restore ecosystems in Harghita and Covasna counties.
In the village of Daia, Harghita County, activities include building water-retention structures using locally available natural materials, planting trees to support these efforts, and creating a demonstration garden that serves as a best-practice example for rainwater harvesting. In Cernat, Covasna County, activities include cleaning the canal that supplies the local watermills and organizing educational programs for children and young people to help preserve local heritage and traditions.
These initiatives aim to create long-term opportunities in education and professional development, protect natural resources, and support the development of more resilient communities.
