CSR
Black Sea Oil & Gas’ CSR policy is based on the Company’s core values of safety, perseverance, pioneering, team work and accountability and aims to meet the expectations of the Company’s stakeholders that BSOG runs its business guided by international standards and best industry practices.
We are committed to conducting our operations safely and responsibly, which means supporting local communities and protecting the environment, as well as looking after the health and safety of our employees and contractors hired by us.
We aim to conducting our operations in a socially responsible manner and seek to make positive contributions to the local economy by improving and maintaining the wellbeing of the community local to our operations. To this end, we work to establish long-term relationships with the local community, understand its needs and assist the community help itself.
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
BSOG considers the consultation process as an important step to create sustainable programs, therefore constantly seeks to consult and involve local stakeholders in order to identify the areas or key topics of interest that could trigger community development in the project area. In this regards, 2 community meetings were organized in 2019 in Corbu with the aim to validate with local key stakeholders the CSR directions and engage community in solving local needs.
The 3 hours meetings were moderated by an external facilitator, with high experience in community development. Organized on 12th July and 27th August 2019, the meetings gathered 16 relevant members in the community – representatives of the City Hall, teachers, priest, owners of local business, NGOs representatives, regular citizens. The meetings design encouraged active participation and debate in order to generate relevant solutions for the community development.
The community meetings conclusions were used to better draft the next stages of the CSR strategy and better tailor future programs to the needs of the community.
Pursuant to the community consultation meetings held, the educational needs appeared to be most pressing to address. A mentorship program was proposed with the primary aim of working closely with local stakeholders to develop an educational project proposal, that will be funded in 2020 by BSOG with 12.000 Euro. The program was customized for people involved in education activities within the community: teachers, volunteers and NGO representatives from Corbu and Vadu.
Under the guidance of a highly experienced mentor, 12 teachers from Corbu school and NGO representatives actively participated to a 4-half day working sessions, organized to the Cultural Youth Center in Corbu. They learned how to write a project proposal, tips and tricks for successful projects, and they succeeded to finalize the narrative for the 2020 project that will be implemented in Corbu, as well the budget.
The project, to be implemented starting with January 2020, aims to reduce aggressivity in school and increase pupil’s life skills. More than 170 pupils and 150 parents will benefit from the project activities, such as counselling, summer school, study visits in museums, theater shows, competitions, movies projections and workshops in school.
On October 27th, more than 130 trees were planted in Vadu and Corbu by a joint team of volunteers from the local community and BSOG. A group of 45 teachers, pupils, teenagers from the Youth Center, local volunteers and BSOG staff gathered to the Youth Center in Corbu and the school yard in Vadu to plant oaks and lidens, trees that easily adjust to the microclimate of the area.
In response to the need identified by the citizens in Corbu to act as environment guardians for the beaches, BSOG developed Vadu Patrol – Patrula de la Vadu, a long-term program for environment protection education. The program aims to raise awareness among adults and children in Corbu and Vadu regarding the importance to keep unaltered flora and fauna, a key element for ensuring the sustainability of area.
The first action of the program was addressed to pupils from Vadu School and brought an innovative educational approach to environment education, combining learning and discovery lessons in classroom and nature. The action was implemented with Oceanic Club Association, a well-respected NGO from Constanta.
A biologist and an educational specialist from the NGO travelled on November 16th to Vadu school and engage pupils in a theoretical and practical ecological session. The 40 pupils, age 4-11, first learned, during a 2 hours session, about the fauna from the area and had the opportunity to see by themselves through microscope lenses small organisms known to live in the area. In the second part of the day, the children went to the beach and explored, under the guidance of the biologist, various plants and animals in their natural habitat.
As teachers recalled, seeing dolphins was a dream for many Vadu school pupils. The visit to the Complex of Natural Science and Dolphinarium in Constanta responded to both an educational and social need of the Vadu pupils. The action was designed to help pupils learn more about the wildlife and flora in the coastal region of Black Sea but also to provide them a different kind of activity, that is fun and educational in the same time. Most of pupils attending Vadu Kindergarten and Primary School come from families with weak economic background, therefore many of them did not have the leave the village yet.
On December 20th, 50 pupils from the kindergarten and primary school in Vadu, took the school bus to Constanta and enjoyed a special day in the Complex. All participated to a 30 minutes Dolphins show and visited the Micro reservation, where they saw and learned about plants and animals living in the Black Sea area. While the older pupils visited the Planetarium, the little ones from kindergarten played in a special play zone, where carefully planned games were prepared in advance for them.
The 3 hours visit was followed by a Happy lunch at McDonald’s. At the end of the day, BSOG team offered to each child a Christmas present, with toys, sweets and branded winter gears (gloves, caps, muffler). The gifts were prepared by BSOG employees who chose to donate their budget for the Christmas gift they would have received from BSOG to offer a memorable day to Vadu school children.
The UBUNTU project, implemented by Corbu school with a grant from BSOG, was marked with the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. Therefore, we discussed with the project team to adapt the activities though keep in mind the objectives of the project.
The main activities implemented by the school in 2020 included:
- Counselling sessions with pupils and parents
- Online drawing contest for pupils A friendly school
- Movie and theatre viewing on bullying thematic for pupils
- Training for teacher’s development.
In October 2020 awarded a sponsorship to Save the Children Romania to provide 46 tablets connected to internet for 24 months, for all pupils attending Vadu kindergarten and primary school. The donation was publicly endorsed by Omid Ghanadi, the architect for one of the most popular TV social shows in Romania.
Due to Covid-19 protection measures, the ceremony was organized outside the school yard and no children were present. The tablets were given to the School Mayor and teachers and were provided to children after they were carefully disinfected.
In 2020 we also awarded a sponsorship for the publishing of Corbu 1st monography. The launching event, organized on March 7th at Cherhana Moesia in Vadu, brought together the authors as well as other local KOLs who presented the importance and value of this document for the local community.
2020 was the fourth year in a row when BSOG became Santa for Vadu school pupils, despite the pandemic restrictions which did not allow direct interaction with the children. Gifts consisting of a puzzle adequate to the age group, book, sweets, toy, personalized wooden globe, MGD bag, were delivered to Vadu school teachers who went with a dressed Santa home to each of the Vadu pupils to offer them. All were delighted to see that BSOG Santa reached them in the pandemic year.
In 2021 we started the collaboration with Mare Nostrum NGO, the main environmental NGOs working for protecting Romanian shores, on implementing a string of actions to protect Vadu beach and develop a plan for the sustainable development of the area.
The first action envisaged by the project was a monitoring session on Vadu beach of marine litter that took place in April with volunteers from Mare Nostrum and BSOG.
A methodology applied at EU level was used that involved collecting of the marine litter, assessing it by category type and marking in a monitoring sheet the code type and quantity over an area of 100 meters from the water line and in parallel with the sea.
The second activity envisaged was drafting a strategy/plan for the sustainable development of the Vadu area together with the main stakeholders in the area by organizing a series of round tables where their views were put for debate.
The first roundtable was a hybrid meeting (online and face to face) that took place on April 23rd in Tulcea. The first part of the meeting was dedicated to presenting the view of the participants (Danube Delta Reserve, WWF, Mare Nostrum) related to the specifics of the area, debate and recommendations, and the second was a SWOT analysis of the Vadu area, focused on fishing and tourism, social and environment.
The third activity involved conducting a public information campaign to raise awareness among Vadu beach tourists about maintaining cleanliness on the beach and the importance of the Vadu area, as part of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. The campaign covered the period June-September.
In 2022, we continued our partnership with Mare Nostrum NGO for the VADUrabil! Project to support the sustainable development of the Vadu area. The project focused on three key objectives: raising awareness among tourists and locals about the benefits of the region, integrating sustainability principles into schools in Corbu and Vadu, and ensuring a balanced approach to development that respects both the community and the natural environment.
Spreading Awareness: The “VADUrabil!” Tourist Information Campaign
Between July and August 2022 volunteers took to Vadu Beach to engage with tourists about the unique character of this protected area. Through direct conversations, visitors learned about responsible behaviour in a protected nature reserve, the importance of preserving the environment, and what makes Vadu so special.
To reinforce the message, tourists received a “Souvenir from Vadu” – a package containing coasters, portable ashtrays, and waste bags. These were also distributed through local fisheries, the village store, and at various events, expanding the campaign’s reach.
We also made a “Well-Mannered Tourist Guide”, a comic-style informational board featuring a QR code linking to Mare Nostrum’s website. These guides were strategically placed at Cherhanaua Bosoanca, Moessia, and the village store to ensure easy access to essential environmental guidelines.
Dolphin Day
Summer continued with Dolphin Day, an interactive event on Vadu Beach, where tourists have explored informative panels on the impact of waste on beaches and biodiversity, participated in dynamic games, and took part in an eco-friendly raffle. Thus, we helped visitors experience Vadu not just as a destination, but as a place worth protecting.
#60minutesforVadu
Between June and October 2022, students from Vadu and Corbu took part in a series of engaging educational activities focused on sustainability and environmental awareness. Through five interactive lessons, children of all ages explored topics such as biodiversity in Vadu, responsible resource consumption, waste reduction, and their vision for an ideal Vadu/Corbu. The final session introduced them to the Blue School Project, an initiative encouraging schools to join the European Network of Blue Schools. Students contributed with their ideas on how their schools could embrace this approach.
On International Black Sea Day, the journey continued with a special Blue School activity. In a creative and interactive classroom session, students coloured marine-themed worksheets, listened to songs, and learned about the legend of the Black Sea. Their teachers later submitted the official application to become part of the European network.
Adopt Vadu Beach
The educational component of the VADUrabil! project took a creative turn in 2022. Instead of the initial plan for students to “adopt” the beach through cleanup activities, they took on a new challenge: capturing the essence of Vadu through photography.
BSOG employees also contributed to the beach cleanup activities. Beyond collecting waste, participants enjoyed engaging challenges: an exciting treasure hunt with prizes in April and a marine-themed creative workshop in October.
Christmas party for the children of Vadu
We ended 2022 with a heartwarming Christmas party organized in Constanta for preschool and primary school children from Vadu. Before the celebration, the children took part in a creative workshop at school, where they handcrafted 3D holiday cards. As a reward for their involvement in the project, they were treated to a fun-filled day at a play centre.
The event was marked with games, face painting, pizza, and cake, creating unforgettable memories for the 40 children and their four chaperones. Each child also received a nice present, to wrap up the year with joy and appreciation.
The first two editions of the VADUrabil! project were built on the foundation of a sustainable development strategy for the Vadu area. After great success, in 2023 we started VADUrabil! 3.0. The project placed a strong emphasis on personal development for young people, as they are the key to long-term positive change. By providing them with access to non-formal education, VADUrabil! 3.0 helped them shape their character and instil valuable life principles, preparing them to become the future pillars of their community.
Trainer Camp
Fifteen students from five rural communities in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve area were selected to participate in the Trainer Camp. Accompanied by teachers, students joined Mare Nostrum volunteers in an intensive 5-day program that took place in Neamt county designed to turn them into trainers for the Danube Delta.
The camp focused on equipping participants with the skills needed to lead educational workshops in their schools. Through interactive sessions, they explored team building, public speaking, communication techniques, and non-formal education methods. Each participant took on the dual role of learner and trainer, ensuring they fully absorbed the experience and could confidently pass on their knowledge to peers.
This initiative not only empowered young minds but also fostered stronger community connections and a deeper commitment to environmental education.
#60minutepentruDelta
Following the Trainer Camp, the young trainers and Mare Nostrum volunteers successfully implemented 20 interactive workshops called #60minutepentruDelta across five rural communities in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve area.
Information Campaign #VADUrabil
The information campaign continued this year, both online and offline. Thus, Mare Nostrum volunteers interacted directly with visitors on the beach, offering them the “souvenir from Vadu” – garbage bags, coasters, and portable ashtrays, while discussing with them about the uniqueness of Vadu area. Also, five informational panels were installed to guide tourists on responsible behaviour, and two dolphin-shaped plastic waste bins were placed at the beach entrance.
Christmas Party
2023 ended with a Christmas party for the children of Vadu, creating a tradition. The event took place at a “mini adventure park” in Constanta, where children had the opportunity to explore the playground freely and enjoy the activities available. At the end, the children celebrated with cake and received Christmas presents, including sweets and educational games to help develop their skills.
In 2024 we developed with NGO Mare Nostrum the project “Generation Delta”, in order to further support local development in the Danube Delta area, as an upgrade of VADUrabil project. The project included working with 5 communities: Vadu, Corbu, Jurilovca, Salcioara and Sfantu Gheorghe, all part of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBBR). “Generation Delta” project aimed at capitalizing on notable outcomes of the previous initiatives and involve the students trained during the 2023 trainer camp. A volunteering program as well as information and education initiatives were created to support local development.
Generation Delta
Five volunteer clubs were established in the participating communities, where students engaged in various activities such as sanitation, planting, and helping disadvantaged families. They created unique identities for their clubs and developed community-specific volunteering plans. The initiative had a positive impact on the students’ civic engagement, and a festive gala was held to celebrate their achievements and award “Hero of the Delta” diplomas and medals.
In August, youth from Vadu and Corbu joined #DeltaGeneration Summer School to promote the Danube Delta through volunteering. Activities included communication, community issues, and an expedition to Gura Portitei. Their enthusiasm also drew in new volunteers.
In August, Constanta’s Cazino seafront hosted Dolphin Day, the annual event organised by Mare Nostrum. The Summer School students presented the Living Exhibition, alongside a photo display and an information point about Black Sea dolphins. Visitors learned about local dolphin species, monitoring equipment, and how to support stranded dolphins through the “Adopt a Dolphin” campaign.
Two key initiatives were undertaken to support schools in the Danube Delta area: Mare Nostrum organized a fundraising webinar tailored to each partner school’s needs, and Corbu’s “Gheorghe Lazăr” secondary school successfully applied for €10,000 in European funding. Additionally, an information campaign involving local youth educated tourists on the impact of human activities on the Danube Delta’s biodiversity.
Just like every year, the children enjoyed a wonderful Christmas party full of games and activities. As in previous years, the children had time to explore the playground, they had entertainers and ended the party with pizza, cake and of course presents from Santa.
Corbu-Vadu Road Rehabilitation
On August 12, 2024, BSOG started execution of the rehabilitation works for the 7.6 km-long communal road DC83, which serves as the primary connection between Corbu and Vadu, as well as the Scolii Street in the village of Vadu.
The DC83 Corbu-Vadu road is the only connection between these two villages and, until recently, had significantly deteriorated, with the last major consolidation effort having been carried out over 15 years ago.
The rehabilitation of DC83 road is an essential project that will bring multiple benefits to the community. First, it will improve accessibility and connectivity between Corbu and Vadu, facilitating local transport and reducing travel time. This will not only enhance the quality of life for residents, but also stimulate local economic development by facilitating access to markets, services and business opportunities.
Second, the rehabilitation of road infrastructure will contribute to increasing safety on public roads. In addition to creating a safer road surface, the installation of road signs are also important measures to reduce the risk of accidents and to ensure smoother and safer traffic. Also, the implementation of an efficient drainage system will prevent flooding, protecting the infrastructure.
In addition, BSOG, along with its MGD partners, financed all the studies and memorandums necessary for Corbu Commune to obtain all the necessary authorizations and approvals. BSOG organized the tender to identify the contractor of the works and concluded the construction agreement. At the same time, Corbu Commune covered the fees for the authorizations and approvals involved in the rehabilitation project and offered support to BSOG when needed.
The project, with a total estimated cost of approximately $4 million fully supported by BSOG and its JV Partners, is scheduled to be completed by May 2025.
