20 Years ECC Romania
As the ECC Network (ECC-Net) marks its 20th anniversary, each ECC shares unforgettable moments, taking us on a journey through the local initiatives they have undertaken over the years. Here, ECC Romania presents its highlights since 2008.
Team ECC Romania
National information campaign for young consumers
ECC Romania's team has focused on educating and informing consumers of all ages, some more accustomed to using technology, others less so, their generations not being marked by the existence of these possibilities.
In the 17 years of its existence, ECC Romania has developed a real tradition of organising, every year, meetings with pupils and students from all over the country, studying various subjects, including consumer protection. During the meetings, we presented our work and the possibilities to support them when they need it, and we wanted to share with them the latest elements of European legislation so that areas of interest to them, such as online commerce and guarantees, video games or booking tourist services, for example, do not present hidden traps or risks.
Throughout this period, we have met over 10,000 young people across Romania, who have become more informed, involved and aware of their rights as consumers.
We used the most diverse means of information, from classic presentations and presentations with other partners to games, competitions and creative workshops.
The campaign to educate the younger generation of consumers will continue in 2025, when ECC Romania will run it under the 'Young in Europe' name. It started in the week before World Consumer Rights Day with presentations, competitions and role plays and will continue until the end of the year.
National information campaign for seniors
Another category of consumers that we have been targeting in the last 3 years is seniors, people over 65, who are not using technology in their daily lives, but who, by force of circumstance, have to learn to use it.
Each year, we have been meeting with seniors in Bucharest and Craiova, and in 2025 we will be reaching out to those in Timisoara and Cluj.
During these seminars, our team introduces seniors to the services that ECC Romania offers to consumers, exposes the potential dangers behind some of the online transactions that can fool an inexperienced consumer, and supports them in practical computer sessions for those who want to use technology for online purchases, but do not have the necessary information.
We are glad that in this way we are helping to reduce the number of citizens in this age group falling prey to online traps, and we are glad to be of use and closer to more parents or grandparents.
'Trips and tips for consumers' Caravan
In each of its 17 years of existence, the ECC Romania team has been in Romania's international airports, in the main train and bus stations, as well as at the most important traditional events for our country, so that through direct advice, presentations and informative and promotional materials we have been able to offer consumers in transit advice and recommendations on some of the situations they may encounter when traveling.
One such campaign is the 'Trips and tips for consumers' Caravan in 2017, in which the ECC Romania team travelled by van over 2,000 km for a week, passing through and stopping in the cities of Timișoara, Arad, Oradea, Cluj, Alba Iulia and Sibiu, so that our message reached consumers in a new and appealing way. On our way, we stopped at important events for Romania, such as the Transilvania International Film Festival, where we distributed information material to Romanian and foreign visitors, or at Bonțida Castle, where we carried out educational activities with children, visitors to the site. In addition , there were meetings with the local press in each of the cities we stopped in, where we promoted the services provided by ECC Romania and gave advice to consumers in various areas of interest, thus managing to pass on information to tens of thousands of consumers.
What consumers say
In its 17 years of activity, ECC Romania has collected a considerable number of settled complaints, provided an impressive number of consumer advice, reached thousands of consumers of all ages, but by far the greatest achievements are the joy of consumers who have been compensated, the messages of thanks received from consumers, and the satisfaction of being able to help them solve their problems.
"I appreciate the involvement and professionalism of ECC Romania, which facilitated the successful resolution of my claim for compensation for flight delay compensation operated by a foreign airline. The decision to turn to ECC Romania was a fortunate one because, after an initial refusal by the company to grant compensation, ECC's perseverance finally led to a favourable outcome."
"I am convinced that if I had not turned to ECC Romania I would still not have received an answer (or the money owed) from the airline. I can confidently recommend ECC Romania to anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation - or any situation related to the non-respect of European consumer rights. Thank you, ECC Romania! "
"Thank you to the ECC Romania team for their professional handling of my complaint. We need such a body to defend the rights of Romanian consumers."
Want to know more about ECC-Net or ECC Romania?
Are you curious about all ECC-Net activities? Then check out our 20th anniversary page for activities and highlights from all ECCs.
Want to learn more about ECC Romania's activities and services? Then check out their local website in Romanian or English.