Community outreach and creating social value forms are increasingly important aspects of our work, and we are in the process of defining focus areas for Franke’s community outreach, based on three key activities: supporting charities, enabling employee volunteering, and establishing partnerships to address specific societal needs.
In 2021, we supported a number of charitable projects. Some donations were Covid-19-related, for example, we donated medical-grade face masks to hospitals in Italy, France, and the US. We also donated money and goods to Ronald MacDonald House charities in several countries, along with Habitat for Humanity in Canada, various food banks, schools, and other causes.
Partnerships for career shaping
The professional future of graduates starts from the ground up. We partnered with educational institutions to help shape future career paths.
Through the activities outlined within Franke’s activities, we contribute to eleven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets. Find out how we are continuously working to uphold our pledge in our latest sustainability report.
As part of our mission to give back to the communities in which we operate, we are currently developing a corporate volunteering program for the Franke Group. Through the program, we aim to increase the social value we provide to communities and support our employees' engagement and well-being. Various studies have demonstrated a link between volunteering and a positive corporate culture, with increased employee morale, a sense of purpose, and brand perception benefits. Volunteering on diverse projects also provides opportunities for cultural learning and team bonding. Aspects of our core way of working that ensure the diversity in our workforce reflects the diversity of the regions in which we operate.
In 2021, we partnered with several universities and educational institutions worldwide to share knowledge, contribute to and benefit from cutting-edge research, and source talented graduates to join the Franke workforce.
In 2022 and beyond, we will establish more strategic focus areas for future partnerships. A potential approach could be to establish a Franke education program that supports underprivileged and high-performing students or develop summer internship opportunities along with our continued participation in cultural projects within the art, music, and dance fields.