Local communities
We seek to make positive contributions to the communities where we operate, engaging the talents and resources of our people and partners to ensure the success of our projects.
Our contribution
In 2009 we contributed €89 million to communities (compared with €91 million in 2008). This helped us to support around 14 000 community organisations around the world, through cash contributions and support in kind.
Around two-thirds of our giving in 2009 went either to long-term community investment partnerships or to commercial initiatives, with mutual benefits for both our business and our partners. Around a third took the form of charitable donations in response to pressing social needs.
We use the London Benchmarking Group (LBG) international benchmarking model to evaluate our activity.
Employee volunteering
We continue to encourage our employees to get involved in community programmes. This provides new ways of connecting with our consumers in local communities. Our employees gain skills and motivation and enjoy 'making a difference'. In 2009, we estimate that around 25 000 employees (around one in six) took part in community activity with our support.
What we do around the world
Read about our initiatives around the world in our case studies on agriculture; climate change; economic development; education; employees; environment; health, nutrition and hygiene; and water.
