Together for stronger local communities
We believe in a future where nature and communities grow together.
Community relations
The communities surrounding the Făgăraș Mountains are part of this nature. We support them, respect them and build the future of the area together. A national park means positive change, and this change is built together with local people.
That is why we listen, understand and work alongside communities to find solutions that support both nature and everyday life, while improving quality of life.
What we do:
- We develop programmes that bring economic benefits to communities.
- We implement educational programmes.
- We support social initiatives.
- We implement sports programmes for children and young people.
- We offer employment opportunities within the Carpathia project.
- We organise events that promote nature and the villages surrounding the Făgăraș Mountains.
Education for nature
Investing in the generations who will care for natureThrough our nature education programmes, we help children and young people discover nature, understand it and develop a desire to protect it. Learning comes naturally through experiences that bring them closer to nature and give them the freedom to discover it with both their minds and their hearts. We could not run these projects without the support of partners who share our mission. We work closely with schools and teachers in the Făgăraș Mountains, alongside partners from across the country, to build educational programmes that are relevant, engaging and have a long-term impact.
Would you like to help your community or support a local project?
Let's see what we can do together. We invite you to write to Istvan Szabo, Community Relations Director, at i.szabo@carpathia.org.
Sports programme
Investing in sport for a healthier generationPhysical activity is essential for a healthy and active community, which is why we want to create and support as many sports projects as possible in the Făgăraș Mountains area. We believe sport builds character, provides positive role models and encourages people to spend more time in nature, be more active and more engaged in their communities.
What we do:
• We created the ‘Learn to Play with the Table Tennis Class’ programme, dedicated to pupils from ten schools in the southern Fagaras Mountains and, from 2027, additional ten schools on the north side. We provide children with a friendly environment for physical activity, personal development and discovering a sport with a strong tradition in Argeș. Table tennis has produced numerous high-performance athletes in the area, while Clubul Voința Câmpulung remains one of the country's most valuable Tennis Table centres, with outstanding national and international results. Our programme aims to nurture children's love of sport and may provide a starting point for future champions.
• We provide financial support to the Zimbrii Lerești football team, a symbol of local identity. Inspired by the reintroduction of European bison to the area and driven by a sense of local pride, the local football team changed its name to Zimbrii Lerești.
Infrastructure for the future National Park
Supporting communities in making the most of their culture and natural surroundingsWe are building a National Park of reference, with protected areas as well as trails, visitor centres and many other facilities for everyone who wants to visit.
Employment opportunities within the organisation
We create employment opportunities that contribute to the development of local communities.We are proud to be one of the area's major employers. Every year, we provide more than 350 permanent and seasonal jobs, often with a whole family behind.
Supporting local economic development
From authentic local products to unique ecotourism experiencesWe work alongside communities to create opportunities that generate income locally while protecting nature in the long term.
What we support:
• Ecotourism initiatives and local experiences: an ecotourism programme managed through Travel Carpathia
• Local producers: natural products and services integrator – Roadele Munților
• Green businesses and sustainable local initiatives
• Building local capacity and skills
Roadele Munților Făgăraș
We created Roadele Munților Făgăraș, an integrator of natural products and services that provides small entrepreneurs with consultancy, logistical support and a modern sales platform. Craving something delicious, made in the villages? Support local producers at www.roadelemuntilor.ro.
Ecotourism
We are implementing our own ecotourism model, based on visiting programmes and wildlife observation. Through Travel Carpathia, we offer amazing experiences at wildlife observation points, guided trails led by nature specialists and opportunities to discover local culture. The income generated supports our conservation project and the funding we provide to communities, whether through scholarships or grants.
Carpathia Fund
We work alongside local communities to understand their real needs and build sustainable development solutions together with the people who live here.
We provide grants for social, educational, cultural and environmental projects and support the development of local businesses that respect nature. The Fund is designed as a simple and accessible mechanism that can respond quickly to concrete needs within communities.
We believe that a strong community is essential to the future of the Făgăraș Mountains National Park.
- Scholarships and grants: for NGOs and local initiative groups in the Făgăraș Land region
- Educational programmes: Junior Ranger, Adopt a Corner of Nature, and programmes run by the Richita Nature Activities and Exploration Centre
- Sports programmes: table tennis in schools, Learn to Play with Class – Table Tennis, and support for the Zimbrii Lerești football team
- Cultural and social projects: in partnership with local authorities
- Conservation initiatives: Pădurea cu Povești Nemuritoare (Nucșoara)
- Restoration of mountain infrastructure: support for Salvamont Argeș teams through various initiatives, including the restoration of the Scara Mountain Shelter and the Brusturet base
Sources of funding:
- Sponsorships and donations (companies, philanthropic organisations and international partners)
- Income-generating activities carried out through the foundation’s legal entities (Travel Carpathia, Roadele Munților, Ferma Cobor)
- European funding (LIFE project)
Where we work:
The Carpathia Fund supports projects and activities in all communes surrounding the Făgăraș Mountains that are part of the Făgăraș Mountains, Târgului River–Argeșel and Piatra Craiului Natura 2000 sites.
Eligible communities:
- Argeș County: Nucșoara, Arefu, Cetățeni, Rucăr, Lerești, Dragoslavele, Stoenești, Dâmbovicioara, Albeștii de Muscel, Valea Mare Pravăț, Brăduleț, Bughea de Sus, Bughea de Jos, Corbi, Domnești;
- Sibiu County: Porumbacu de Jos, Avrig, Cârțișoara, Arpașu de Jos, Turnu Roșu, Racoviță, Cârța, Tălmaciu;
- Brașov County: Hârseni, Recea, Zărnești, Lisa, Ucea, Sâmbăta de Sus, Viștea, Moieciu, Drăguș, Șinca Nouă, Fundata, Victoria;
- Vâlcea County: Câineni, Perișani, Sălătrucu, Boișoara, Boița, Titești;
- Dâmbovița County: Moroeni, Runcu, Pucheni.
What projects does the Carpathia Fund support?
- Educational programmes for children and young people
- Local initiatives and NGOs
- Cultural and social projects
- Sport and healthy lifestyle activities
- Local businesses and producers from the area
Regardless of their field, it is important that projects respect local natural and cultural values and are environmentally friendly.
General criteria:
- The project must have clearly defined outcomes that improve the lives of one or more members of the local community.
- Institutional funding or funding for activities that constitute the legal responsibility of a local council is excluded.
- Activities that form part of an electoral campaign, or that could be interpreted as an electoral campaign, are excluded.
- Projects supporting local residents in response to a difficult situation that was not caused by them and cannot be satisfactorily resolved without support from the Carpathia Fund are eligible.
Education, sport and health:
- Support for educational activities is limited to environmental education or support for socially disadvantaged members of the community (remedial or vocational education).
- Support for sports clubs must be consistent with promoting a healthy lifestyle for children and young people.
- Health caravans.
Events:
- The organiser must have a sustainable environmental policy that considers waste management and the purchase of food from the community, encouraging local development.
- Events must include at least one activity or component promoting the natural values of the area where they take place.
- Events must primarily use services from the local community (logistics, staff, etc.).
Environmental projects:
- Projects addressing a local environmental issue. NGOs, initiative groups and local institutions are eligible.
Social projects:
- Projects supporting vulnerable people.
- Support for cases where someone in the local communities has suffered as a result of disasters or accidents.
Direct support in communities
Responding quickly and providing practical help when people need itWhen accidents occur, we provide rapid support to those affected. Damage caused by wildlife is assessed on site. The Foundation subsequently provides private compensation in kind by replacing lost cattle or sheep with animals raised by a local livestock farmer. Our in kind compensation system complements the existing national system; it does not replace it.
We want to support all urban and rural communities at the foot of the Făgăraș Mountains.
We know how important sponsorships are and are always open to discussing funding opportunities for social or educational project ideas that can bring something positive to the entire community and which have impact.
Communication and events
We do what we say and say what we doWe tell the story of nature and the people of the Făgăraș Mountains, to build trust, recognition and support, nationally and internationally, for nature for everyone.
We communicate through multiple channels to reach people.
We develop campaigns that help people understand and appreciate the nature and species of the Făgăraș Mountains, and thus become part of the solution.
We organise events promoting the Făgăraș Mountains and local communities.
Făgăraș Fest – a festival advocating for the future Făgăraș Mountains National Park
The festival offers a variety of activities for all ages, from guided hikes and nature tours to concerts, workshops, film screenings, children’s activities and meetings with people who contribute to protecting and developing the area.
With every edition, Făgăraș Fest promotes a lifestyle connected to nature and encourages visitors to discover the local communities, traditions and spectacular landscapes of the Făgăraș Mountains.
The Făgăraș Fest is being organised in cooperation with Racovita Town Hall.
Carpathia Bike Tour – a cycling tourism event promoting nature and local communities
Discover the most beautiful landscapes around the Făgăraș Mountains from the saddle of a bicycle.
Every year, we cycle through villages, along country roads and through spectacular landscapes, visiting places that cannot be seen from the road or from a car.
With climbs and descents but without pressure, Carpathia Bike Tour is a cycling event that promotes nature, local heritage, local communities in the Făgăraș Mountains and the joy of outdoor exercise.
The event is organised by Foundation Conservation Carpathia together with the Sibiu County Council and local partners.
We maintain a constant presence in the national and international press to promote the nature of the Făgăraș Mountains and draw attention to its value.
Content creators and public figures from a range of fields support our messages and work.
Social programmes
People are nature's first custodiansWe have initiated several social programmes in the communes where we are active: support for older people, a healthcare facility, laptop donations, online education for children, and waste collection and management. We have strategic partnerships with several organisations running social and educational programmes to support communities around the Făgăraș Mountains.
We support Salvamont mountain rescue teams that work every day to keep people safe in the mountains, from saving lives in emergencies to assisting tourists and maintaining safety on mountain trails.
An essential partner in this effort is the Argeș County Public Mountain Rescue and Speleological Rescue Service (Salvamont–Salvaspeo), whose teams respond quickly and efficiently, often in difficult conditions, making a constant contribution to safety in the Făgăraș Mountains.