Ciner Glass place pride in partnerships to deliver social change

Behind many of the Ciner Group’s business decisions is a commitment to playing its part in the economic, social, and cultural development of the countries in which it operates. The company has a proud history of ensuring its projects spread prosperity in areas in need of investment and developing strong and long-lasting partnerships with local communities to help realise this ambition.

This is evident in Ebbw Vale, South Wales, where the company is progressing with plans to bring a glass bottle manufacturing facility to the area. The wider county of Blaenau Gwent has long suffered from high levels of deprivation, and the site in the small industrial town of Ebbw Vale was chosen by the Ciner family in the hope that its investment would act as a catalyst for economic regeneration in the region.

President of Ciner Glass, Mrs Didem Ciner is personally passionate about providing young people with development opportunities, with a strong track record of investing in grassroots sports given the social benefits this can bring at both an individual and community level. This has embodied Mrs Ciner’s approach to community investment in Ebbw Vale over the past few years, which has seen her oversee the company’s sponsorship of the town’s local rugby club, Ebbw Vale RFC, signing a three-year deal as the club’s official sponsor.

The sponsorship saw the Ciner Glass significantly increase its annual investment in the club’s first team, junior academy and rugby stadium itself. A hub for many families in the local area, the investment in the Club is a personal commitment from Mrs Ciner to the future of the town and its residents. Ciner Glass is delighted to have become part of the fabric of this historic club and looks forward to continuing to support the Club for years to come.

More broadly and at a national level, the Ciner Group are proud to be associated with We Soda’s partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union. We Soda, alongside the WRU, have been working to set new standards within world sport with its “Fit, Fed, Fun” camps to support children and families right across Wales during the school holidays.

Feeding thousands of children in some of the nation’s most under-resourced areas is a key focus of the camps, specifically targeting children who receive free school meals to ensure they benefit from a hearty breakfast and lunch. As part of the programme, rugby coaching and fun activities are on offer for children of all ages and abilities and they are also able to learn about the benefits of looking after their community and the environment. With many feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, the camps will be a huge support to many families. The programme is set to be expanded over the coming years and has the objective of reaching all areas of Wales by 2025.

With a range of existing successful partnerships and plans to continue its support, the company hopes its social initiatives will have a transformative effect in helping shape a brighter future for the next generation.