EFT’s business philosophy is that its profits and growth should be made in tandem with profits and growth for the communities where it operates.

The Group feels strongly that this model of adding value and creating wealth in partnership with the locals is of paramount importance in fostering belief in market economy and the reform and modernization process.

This philosophy has yielded many impressive results for the Group, now acknowledged by the local people, reputable international NGO’s, first class banks and international capital markets.

In December 2007, the positive impact of this philosophy was outlined in a report by the European Stability Initiative (www.esiweb.org), one of Europe’s leading think-tanks.

The report, “Return energy and the future of Bosnia” sought to provide answers to questions related to Bosnia’s integration and EU policy towards the country. The report did so by analysing political, social and economic developments in the central Bosnian municipality of Doboj, where the Stanari mine is situated.

During the 18 month period its analysts spent on the ground researching the project, ESI took a keen interest in the operation of the Stanari mine. ESI claims that “the conclusions of this report may surprise those who remember Bosnia and Herzegovina from a few years ago and who are used to hear Bosnia discussed only in apocalyptic terms. We argue that the changes that have taken place in Bosnia over the past twelve years have been no less profound than those which transformed Western Europe in the 12 years after World War II”.

It goes on to claim that “there is another striking similarity between (West) Europe in the 1950s and Bosnia today. It is the emergence of economic forces as the most powerful driver of political and social change. Wherever one looks in Doboj today, from Bosniak farmers to privatised industrial companies, from private education institutions to the largest and most important regional energy project, it is economic forces that are conquering wartime divisions. Doboj is now on the brink of the largest commercial investment in recent Bosnian history, a new coal-fired power station, which will make it a hub in the regional economy. Energy – coal and electricity – could have a similar impact on the integration of Bosnia and south – east Europe as coal had in the first stages of European integration in the 1950s. This is the untold story of Bosnia.”

EFT is delighted to be part of this new chapter in the region’s history. Apart from adding value and creating wealth, the company strives to improve the quality of life of its employees and their families, as well the local community and society at large through various other activities and philanthropy. So far these included:  

Development of the new IT center at the “Desanka Maksimović” primary school in Stanari

EFT has furnished the “Desanka Maksimović” primary school in Stanari with computers and accompanying software, as well as the relevant computer courses. The primary school in Stanari now has a fully equipped IT center.

Development of the library at the "Desanka Maksimović" primary school in Stanari

In May 2008, the employees of the EFT have began an initiative to build a new library at the local primary school in Stanari. Employees of the Group have donated two books each.

Development of the language department at the "Desanka Maksimović" primary school in Stanari

EFT has furnished the “Desanka Makskimovic” primary school in Stanari with equipment for a brand new language department

Scholarship program and awards for the best students and teachers at the "Desanka Maksimović" primary school in Stanari

Since EFT’s arrival in Stanari in May 2005, the company has begun a comprehensive scholarship and awards program for the best teachers and pupils at the local primary school in Stanari. Each year, EFT makes generous awards to the best students and pupils, while those who go on to achieve notable results at regional competitions are awarded full scholarship programs.

Development of a new CDT department at the "Desanka Maksimović" primary school in Stanari

EFT has fully furnished a new Construction, Design and Technology center at the local primary school in Stanari.   

Development of the new basketball court at the "Desanka Maksimović" primary school in Stanari

EFT has fully refurbished the basketball court at the Desanka Makismovic primary school in Stanari. The company has also donated a full set of new basketball equipment. The new basketball court in Stanari was officially opened in September 2007 by Dejan Bodiroga, the famous basketball player.

Furbishment of the Doboj hospital with new air-conditioning units

In June 2008 EFT has furbished the maternity ward at the Doboj hospital with air-conditioning units. The donation was officially presented by Stevan Loncar, the EFT –Stanari Mine and Thermal Power Plant director.

Environmental clean-up

Every year the employees of EFT and pupils from the "Desanka Maksimović" primary school in Stanari take part in a joint effort to clean the local Ostruznja river. The activity began in 2006 and represented the first in a series of joint efforts and educational talks aimed at improving the environment in Stanari and the surrounding areas.

Forestation program

Every year the pupils from the "Desanka Makimovic" primary school in Stanari and EFT engage in a forestation of the surrounding edges of the Stanari mine. Several hundred spruce trees have been planted, thereby improving the noise and dust protection levels at Stanari. EFT has so far planted over 20 000 locust trees in Stanari.