The program Smile for Tree starts with the renovation of the park in Zvolen

Smile for Trees is the name of a new program of Ekopolis Foundation, which is working together in partnership with SHP Harmanec Group. The objective of the program is to revive the public spaces through the planting of trees so that they will be greener and more beautiful. The renovation will cooperate with the local government and volunteers from the community. This partnership is the best way to create good relationships between the community and their public spaces.

The first pilot project, which will be funded by „Smile for Tree" is the Lanice City park in Zvolen with a donation of 5.000 euros. In the spring of 2010 the first activity will include the survey of trees near rivers and paths and this will be followed by the care for the existing trees. The local community will than be showed how to care for the trees which will be a part of a workshop. 

The project will be finished with the celebration on Earth Day, April, 22, 2010 in the park.

The partners of the project are the City of Zvolen, local NGOs, schools, and the students of the Faculty of Ecology of the Technical University in Zvolen.

„The renovation of the park through Smile for Trees was planned, because the park is located in the center of the town of Zvolen and the community was interested in the renovation. This area has high environmental value and recreational potential. The initiation of this plan is the Municipality of Zvolen and the local people and associations. The vision is to have a park with natural areas, sports facilities, areas for relaxation, paths, and open  meadows," explained Martina Paulikova, program manager of Ekopolis Foundation

From Smile for Tree Program will be supported next year 5 - 6 projects, each project by 2.500 euros. The topic of the projects is greenary planting, green areas (parks, schools areas, playgrounds, squares) renovation.

Multinational company SHP GROUP (SLOVAK HYGIENIC PAPER GROUP) covers several companies acting on European markets in the field of cellulose and paper industry and namely they are the following production companies: SHP HARMANEC, a.s., Harmanec, SHP SLAVOŠOVCE, a.s., Slavošovce, SHP CELEX, a.d., Banja Luka and trading companies SHP BOHEMIA, s.r.o., Prague, SHP HUNGARY, Kft., Budapest and SHP d.o.o., Celje. All the companies act on the market with paper hygienic products under the trademarks of Harmony, Celex and Harmasan. With 450 employees it belongs to the biggest employers in region of Banska Bystrica.