At a Glance
Location: Fibis, Romania
Impact Areas: Employment Generation, Placement
People Supported:
Migrants, People with Disabilities, Refugees
Joined NESsT Portfolio:
2023
Overview
Despite the country’s recent economic growth, Romania continues to have some of the highest rates of risk of poverty and social exclusion in the EU, with the risk being greater among women. In its mission to address these pressing social issues, Box Elyte – a small and medium-sized enterprise – provides dignified jobs to marginalized groups at its production plant in Fibis, Romania, where it manufactures premium, eco-friendly cardboard boxes for chocolates and pastries.
To support production efforts that span 3,000 types of different boxes sold throughout Europe, Box Elyte employs 150 individuals from excluded groups, including migrants and refugees from Ukraine and Asia, as well as local women from low-income backgrounds and ethnic minorities. It also prioritizes the purchase of goods and services from local businesses that integrate people with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds into the labor market.
Box Elyte is committed to ensuring that its employees have access to full-time contracts, as well as other basic needs such as accommodation, transportation, language classes, and specialized training courses. The Romania-based enterprise puts great emphasis on vocational training to reduce turnover among staff, and it has plans to open an in-house training center.
Results & Impact
31
migrants and refugees employed
130
local marginalized women employed
279
jobs for excluded groups by 2027
“Working at Box Elyte has not only provided me with job security but also a sense of belonging. The team here truly understands my situation as a Ukrainian refugee, and they go above and beyond to ensure I have everything I need to thrive, from accommodation and transport to support with paperwork.”
NESsT Investment
Box Elyte has demonstrated steady growth over the past decade and now finds itself in a prime position to expand its sustainable production line and warehouse and further its social involvement.
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Romania has welcomed 780,000 refugees seeking safety within its borders. With support from the NESsT Refugee Employment Initiative, Box Elyte aims to create 123 job opportunities for refugees and migrants over the next five years.
Our investment will also support Box Elyte in providing refugees and their families with essential wraparound services to assist their integration, including accommodation, kindergarten, and language courses.