Back in the article "Transposition of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive in Romania," published in Issue 12.3 of the CEE Legal Matters magazine, we explored the regulatory landscape of ESG in Romania as part of CEELM's market snapshot. Here's a case study of what ESG means in practice, a project started 10 years before the ESG legislation but focusing on the same values and principles.
Romania's business landscape is witnessing an increasing emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors. As pioneers in this movement, we stand out through our foundation's flagship project, the Timisoara Viennese Ball, which brings together cultural, social, educational, and business communities while supporting important social causes.
The Hategan Foundation – Building Communities Through "Togetherness"
Founded in 2012, from the need of the founder of Hategan Attorneys to inspire the corporate players to re-enforcing community values, the Hategan Foundation emerged from a singular vision: to revive the historic Viennese ball tradition in Timisoara through the creation of the Timisoara Viennese Ball after nearly 100 years of absence. This revival connects to the city's rich Central European heritage dating back to 1716. Today's Timisoara Viennese Ball follows the rigorous etiquette of traditional Viennese balls while focusing on corporate social responsibility, with all proceeds directed to United Way Foundation programs supporting vulnerable communities.
The Hategan Foundation operates under the belief in the power of the value of "togetherness," focusing on building strong communities in Timisoara and the surrounding region through three main pillars of programs: culture, education, and well-being.
Timisoara Viennese Ball – The Origins of the Project
The Timisoara Viennese Ball emerged as a strategic business initiative following Hategan Attorneys' decade-long expertise in the German-speaking region – Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, where the firm's leadership deliberately transformed its established diplomatic and corporate network into a distinctive stakeholder engagement platform that simultaneously addresses ESG objectives and enhances the firm's market positioning through meaningful cultural-business integration.
A Business Model for Social Impact
What makes the Timisoara Viennese Ball distinctive from an ESG perspective is its successful model of involving corporations in community development. Companies participate not just as sponsors, but as active partners in addressing social challenges. The Honorary Committee of the event includes prominent figures from the business environment, creating a prestigious platform for companies to demonstrate their commitment to community development.
The event is patronized by the Vienna City Hall and is under the patronage of the Austrian Embassy, being officially recognized as the 31st Viennese Ball at the international level and the only recognized Viennese Ball in Romania. This recognition validates its cultural significance and adherence to authentic traditions.
Beyond the Ball: BVT Academy, Charitable Campaigns, and Cultural Programs
The Hategan Foundation has expanded its ESG footprint through the BVT Academy, launched in 2018. This educational initiative takes a holistic approach to youth development through six key areas: physical, emotional, intellectual, professional/career, social/community, and cultural development.
The Foundation's commitment to social causes is further demonstrated through campaigns like "An edelweiss flower for a warm lunch," which provides meals to vulnerable children through United Way Romania's programs. In communities across Romania, hundreds of children face daily uncertainty over their next meal. For just 20 RON – the price of a coffee – donors receive a beautiful edelweiss brooch while providing one nutritious meal to children in vulnerable situations. This modest contribution might seem small, but collectively, these donations fund 5,000 warm meals for 700 children per year in our supported programs. The edelweiss flower – resilient and beautiful even in harsh conditions – perfectly symbolizes our campaign's spirit: small gestures of kindness blooming into significant impact for those who need it most.
Support Our Projects – Make an Impact
Through its 11 editions, the Timisoara Viennese Ball has consistently channeled resources to social causes while preserving cultural heritage and creating a platform for cross-sector collaboration. As ESG considerations increasingly influence business decisions, the Timisoara Viennese Ball stands as a compelling example of how legal firms and their stakeholders can leverage cultural traditions to create meaningful social impact while engaging stakeholders in a celebration of shared heritage and values.
By Ioana Hategan, Managing Partner, Hategan Attorneys
