Working Together for a Greener Future

Fifteen years after the red sludge disaster, Provident Financial Ltd. contributed to the greening of Devecser with a community tree planting project. As part of its sustainability program, ProviGreen, the financial services provider has contributed one million forints to the development of the town's green areas.

Provident Financial Services Ltd. will continue to strengthen its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection in 2025. The financial services provider implemented the latest tree planting project of the ProviGreen program in cooperation with the municipality of Devecser. 

Its goal is to support the development of green areas and the protection of natural values with the involvement of the local community, while also providing its employees with the opportunity to actively participate in protecting the environment. This time, the greening project took place at a particularly symbolic location, as the town of Devecser still bears the scars of the 2010 red sludge disaster in Ajka.

Following the collapse of an alumina waste reservoir in Ajka, W Hungary in 2010, a toxic wave of 'red sludge' flooded the surrounding area, destroying villages and contaminating the land.

As part of the initiative, on November 6, a community tree planting symbolized the power of renewal in a part of the town destroyed by the sludge disaster, in the area of Kinizsi Street and Hunyadi Street. The company contributed one million forints to the development of local green areas. Experts were able to use the funds to create a protective forest in line with local natural forest communities: four types of trees were planted, including oak, small-leaved and large-leaved lime, and hornbeam. The grant enabled the purchase, transport, and planting of more than 500 saplings. Provident employees also participated in the planting.

"It has been 15 years since the red sludge disaster. Although our environment still bears the scars of the tragedy, as do the people who live here, Devecser is getting closer every year to a point where the streets and squares of the town no longer remind us of that terrible day in October. We would like to thank Provident for contributing to the development of our town's green spaces through their commitment to sustainability," Gábor Ferenczi, Mayor of Devecser, said about the collaboration.

The aim of the ProviGreen program is to raise awareness of the most pressing environmental issues among as many people as possible, while also providing an opportunity for the financial services provider's employees across the country to actively contribute to the preservation of natural values and work with local communities for a sustainable future.

"It is extremely important to Provident that we represent sustainability not only in words but also in deeds. We believe that protecting our environment is a common cause. With the ProviGreen program, we want to give our colleagues the opportunity to be personally involved in positive change. Every tree planted is a message to future generations: sustainability and community cooperation can tangibly shape our environment. We are delighted to see our employees actively participating in this process," Attila Horváth, Chief Financial Officer of Provident Financial Ltd. and head of the ProviGreen program, added.