Three volunteer fire brigades of Brezovica pri Ljubljani, Ljubljana – Vič, and Črnomelj were announced as winners of the "Heroes of the Future" competition, selected by the commission of the Firefighters' Association of Slovenia and online voting. They will receive funds from SPAR Slovenia to implement innovative projects to include young people in firefighting in their communities.

The “Heroes of the Future” initiative was aimed at encouraging young people in fire brigades to develop and implement innovative ideas. By doing so, SPAR Slovenia strengthens the commitment of young generations in the Slovenian firefighting service, which has more than 150 years of history.

Three winning teams

For the third consecutive year, SPAR Slovenia has supported young firefighters through the Firefighters’ Association of Slovenia, allocating funds for their inclusion in firefighting. Through this donation, they support the implementation of the winning projects by selected young firefighters. Their ideas will help firefighting organisations attract, motivate and retain young members.

The commission and online voters were most convinced by the project of PGD Brezovica near Ljubljana, which presents a 36-hour firefighting experience for young people in the “Fajrfajtr challenge”, in which young firefighters try their hand at mentoring. The mentoring role strengthens young firefighters’ sense of belonging to the community, bringing them closer to the importance of firefighting for the community through practical challenges, teamwork, and experience.

PGD Ljubljana – Vič will allocate the funds received from the tender to implementing a five-day holiday care programme for children, in which they will learn the basics of firefighting, first aid, and fire prevention through engaging firefighting content, workshops, and activities.

The programme promotes the values of solidarity, responsibility and volunteering, and young people and trainees of the association will also actively participate in its implementation, thereby strengthening their sense of belonging to the firefighting organisation and serving as role models for younger generations.

PGD Črnomelj has developed an interactive game, “I’ll be a firefighter!”, that brings firefighting closer to young people by simulating various interventions in a fun and educational way. Participants develop team spirit, responsibility, quick response and trust in solving challenges, and the project connects different generations and encourages the transfer of important knowledge and skills.

Cooperation with the Firefighters’ Association of Slovenia in the “Heroes of the Future” initiative for SPAR Slovenia not only involves donor activities but also reflects the values the company pursues: care for the community, support for the local environment, and a focus on the future. By supporting young firefighters, they also contribute to the greater safety of communities in many Slovenian towns. The knowledge that young people gain at the local fire station is an investment in safety years from now, when these firefighters will be among the first to respond to help.

Source: SPAR Slovenia

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About SPAR Slovenia

SPAR Slovenia, operated by ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG), was granted a licence by SPAR International to operate the SPAR brand in 1991. SPAR Slovenia has become a key employer in the country, both through its corporate business as well as through licenses being granted to independent retailers to expand the brand’s presence across the country further.