Viktoras Pivorius, Head of the SBA company Inno Line: „Regarding the number of participants, this year's initiative, „Kopoms Reikia Tavęs!“ is a record-breaker with around 500 volunteers. Therefore, we are grateful to everyone who contributed their time and cares about our environment and preserving the unique seaside nature. Erosion affects the dunes continuously, so reinforcement is needed every year. The clean-up, jointly organised by the SBA Group and the Administration of Lithuania Minor Protected Areas, helps to protect approximately 2 kilometres of coastal dunes annually“.
Darius Nicius, the Head of the Administration of Lithuania Minor Protected Areas: „This year, we continued the dune anchoring works from where we finished last year and moved towards Karklė. As planned, volunteers covered the erosion hotspots and breaches with branches along the coastline strip from Memel Nord fortifications to the approaches of the Dutchman's Cap cliff. We used ten forestry trailer branches to protect the dunes, i.e., about 300 cubic metres. It is a natural and very effective measure against erosion – the logs trap the sand, help to „feed“ the dunes and prevent it from blowing away“.
This year, the event's participants included volunteers from SBA companies, for whom such activities provide a sense of purpose and positive emotions, families with pets, students, employees from other companies, and schoolchildren who earn social hours through this initiative. The volunteers strengthened the dunes, cleared fallen trees in the coastal forest, maintained wooden walkways, and collected items and rubbish on the seaside beaches.
After a few hours of work, the volunteers enjoyed coffee, tea and pastries, while the most curious people had the opportunity to see the Memel Nord military fortifications exhibition.
Dune clean-up „Kopoms Reikia Tavęs!“ is part of the SBA Savanorystės Banga initiative, which encourages employees of SBA Group companies to do good deeds. Last year alone, more than 50 initiatives were implemented, mobilising more than 1,300 volunteers, who gave 5,350 hours of their time to volunteer for good causes. SBA Savanorystės Banga has become an example in Lithuania and Europe. It was recognised as the best internal communication campaign at the PR Impact Awards in Lithuania and won the internal communication campaign category at the European Excellence Awards. In 2023, at the Responsible Business Awards, the SBA Group was chosen by the public as the most community-oriented company of the year.
