Smartree's 15 under 15

Through the 15 under 15 project, Smartree supports every child's equal right to education in Romania. Each of these 15 under 15 little champions, representatives of their communities, deserves access to modern educational solutions, quality schooling and motivated teachers to achieve the hardest thing: to stay in the education system until graduation.

Tomorrow's workforce needs quality education today and equal opportunities for success, regardless of their social background. Education is children's chance for a good life, and we have a duty to provide it.

Alexandra Peligrad

CEO Smartree

According to Eurostat, Romania ranks first in the EU in early school dropouts, with one in five children leaving their studies before they turn 15. As a result, the current skills shortage in the labor market is only expected to worsen in the upcoming years.

To nudge social chance, Smartree, a key HR partner serving more than 300 companies in Romania, capitalized on the corporate sector's interest in tops and rankings and dropped its own list.

Smartree's 15 under 15 did not showcase Romania's young elites, but the talents we miss. Documented by renowned award-winning Russian photographers and social journalists, the magazine featured the narratives of 15 children who work under the legal age of 15, to support their families.

Smartree engaged executives before the annual tax adjustment deadline, enabling companies to donate 20% of their profit tax to Smartree's partner NGO, Teach for Romania. The special edition started a nationwide debate picked by major media channels. Influencers, business executives, and multiple Forbes "30 under 30" alumni became loud voices advocating for equal education rights and better future careers for all Romanian children.