Social responsibility

Arco Vara has always looked forward. The future is important for us, and we want to play our part in securing a better future through sponsorship. We have always supported endeavours that create new knowledge. We favour initiatives that broaden knowledge of real estate and better living. We also take an interest in exploring the limits of human ability. We provide support to very dedicated people who enrich the lives of others.

Compared with the previous period, in 2010 the Group contributed more to the development of education, culture and sports as well as charitable activities.

The Group has a partnership contract with the Russian Theatre and in 2010 we also supported the Saaremaa Opera Days. In cooperation with the Academy of Arts, every academic term the Group provides a scholarship to one student from the faculty of architecture.
 Russian Theatre
In the reporting period, the Group supported the Linnamäe Moto Race and the Pühajärve triathlon event TriStar111. In addition, the Group is a sponsor of basketball club Tarvas and football club Nõmme Kalju.
 Linnamäe Moto Race
In 2010 Arco Vara participated in the charitable Onion Fair and Grandparents’ Day at Lasnamäe. The Group’s employees help the Keila SOS Children’s Village and have come out with many support initiatives (gathering of donations, mutual visits, etc).
 Keila SOS Children’s Village
Our people are frequent blood donors at the North Estonia Medical Centre Blood Bank and participate in regularly arranged blood donation events. In summer 2010 our people’s collective blood donation initiative was recognised by the
media and inspired many other organisations to follow our example.

During the year we were also involved in many social projects, including those organised by the Labour Market Board. In cooperation with the labour market authorities, Arco Vara offered training, work and practice opportunities for many jobless people across Estonia, making a direct contribution to the mitigation of unemployment.

Arco Vara is committed to setting an example in supporting the development of education, culture and sports as well as philanthropy and hopes that the positive experience it creates with the contribution of its people will inspire other companies to invest more in activities that facilitate social integration, offer engagement opportunities for young people, involve senior citizens and help recognise the value of education and other important areas.

In the past we have supported:

The Russian Theatre of Estonia - it is the only professional Russian Theatre in Estonia. Arco Vara cares about same values as the Russian Theatre, which has represented the traditions of russian theatre in Estonia for 60 years. It is one of the most beautiful theatre buildings in Estonia - you can convince yourself here. With an activity-span of six decades, more than 500 shows have been enacted by the theatre in different cities and countries. Many known directors such as Andrei Tarkovski, Roman Viktjuk, Juri Jerjomin, Jüri Sillart, Kalju Komissarov and Voldemar Panso have been involved.

The first high-tech walking robot in the Baltic states, which was acquired by the Development Centre of Diana. This device is of utmost importance to people forced into a wheelchair after suffering from brain-damage. The machine, called the Lokomat, consists of special support-mechanisms for arms and legs and of a moving walk-trail. All the walking is done by the machine, with the goal of restoring sensitivity to the legs.

Estonian Volleyball Team - in 2008 Estonian volleyball has won its best results since years. They will play in the  European Championship League, which will take place in Turkey in 2009.

Olympic champion Kristina Šmigun, known affectionately to thousands as Kiku, won two gold medals in Turin in 2006, making her own as well as her country's dreams come true. We, too, strive to be a symbol of Olympic excellence and to be there for you in all real estate matters at a championship level. We put a premium on the same values that Kiku promotes – dedication, determination and willpower. These qualities take us closer to our goal. This year Arco Vara celebrated 15 full years of activity. We were one of the first real estate companies to be founded after independence was restored. Our clear objectives and forward momentum have taken us to where we are today: offices in six countries and expertise in all areas of real estate.

Top Estonian skier Jaak Mae
Dedication leads one closer to the goal. Arco Vara is one of the supporters Jaak Mae, one of Estonia’s top skiers. Jaak’s impressive showings in competition, his unflagging self-confidence, as well as his skill and determination to keep on improving, serve as an example to many.

The annual World Cup round, a major skiing event
The World Cup round held at Tehvandi sports centre in Otepää, southern Estonia, is a tradition and a major event in Estonian skiing. Arco Vara is the headline sponsor, along with Hansabank. For more information, visit http://www.suusaliit.ee/ and http://www.tehvandi.ee/.

Karupesa Team
Arco Vara also supports an Otepää-based training group of young cross-country skiers called Karupesa Team, created by older skiers. It includes a number of promising members.

The real estate, banking and sales programme at the Estonian Business School.
In cooperation with EBS, Arco Vara is launching a new programme with the aim of getting its graduates' proficiency in real estate, banking and sales close to the top. Other project partners include SEB Eesti Ühispank and Vain&Partnerid. Students will have direct contact with their chosen field from the beginning of their studies and they will gain a real picture of the profession and working environment as rapidly as possible. In addition, partners will offer the more active students opportunities for internships and employment. For more information, visit www.ebs.ee.