Romania ranks first in the EU in early school dropouts, with 1 in 5 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.

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 15UNDER15 did not showcase Romania's young elites, but the talents we miss. Documented by renowned award-winning Romanian photographers and social journalists, the magazine featured the narratives of 15 children who work under the legal age of 15, to support their families. The special edition reached the hands of executives right before the annual tax adjustment deadline, enabling companies to donate 20% of their profit tax to Smartree's partner NGO, Teach for Romania.

VML Romania 2024