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More than US$1 million will be awarded to organizations that manage projects benefiting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises led by women in Latin America.

August 1, 2023 /3BL/ – The World Environment Center (WEC) and its partners the Núcleo de Biotecnología de Curauma (NBC)and Baastel, are pleased to announce the First Cohort of the “Empower Innovation Challenge” (EIC). The Challenge was open to 10 Latin American countries whose work benefit micro, small and medium-sized enterprises led by women in Latin America.

The eight winning organizations are:

Bancalimentos SAS BIC, “Creation of green businesses led by rural women” – Colombia.Ecotarcoles, “Pacific Plastic Wood” – Costa Rica.PAQOCHA, “Connecting knowledge with the Culebrillas community in the province of Bolivar and scaling up the alpaca fiber value chain for the Paqocha company as part of the Green/Blue economy” – Ecuador.National Center for Cleaner Production Foundation, “MSME WOMEN Program” – El Salvador.Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), “Project to Strengthen the Local Institutional Framework for Women and Individual and Collective Microenterprises” – Guatemala.ALLPA Association for Sustainable Development, “Women of Santa Cruz and Andean Grains” – Peru.Sector3 Social Venture Group, “Escala” – Peru.Foro Ambiental de Samaná, “Samana Destino del Futuro, Mujeres Emprendedoras Liderando el Turismo Sostenible” – Dominican Republic.

Women’s ability to access markets, including financial services, credit, capital, insurance, digital technologies and networks, is critical to fostering women’s entrepreneurship and their overall economic security. The Global Equity and Equality (GEEA) (managed by U.S. Department of State’s Global Women’s Issues office (S/GW)) Fund promotes the economic security of women and girls by facilitating their access to resources, services and leadership opportunities, and addressing barriers that limit their ability to fully participate in the economy.

The organizers will hold three online competitions, this being the first, with the aim of choosing innovative solutions to enhance the development of MSMEs managed by women and generate more inclusive growth in each of the participating countries. In this case, the winning projects came from civil society organizations, educational institutions, centers focused on small business development, as well as organizations dedicated to implementing and promoting sustainable solutions, especially pollution prevention.

The awardees were selected by an independent jury comprising a multidisciplinary jury of experts in the region. These eight organizations make up the first cohort of a total of 24 organizations that the donor plans to benefit. Each organization will receive $50,000 in non-reimbursable funding for their one-year projects. In addition, the winners will become new members of the La Red de Innovación e Impacto (La Red), where they will be able to connect with other organizations in the region, share challenges and lessons learned, while strengthening their capacities and expanding their networks.

Each EIC competition will be held once a year, until 2025, where at the end 24 organizations dedicated to fostering the growth of women’s economic security in the region will have benefited. This initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of State through the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues 2021 Global Equity and Equality Action Fund. Fund and implemented by the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Policy Planning Coordination Office (WHA/PPC)

For additional information please contact: 
Ernesto Samayoa, WEC Director of Operations: esamayoa@wec.org

Brief description of the awardees’ projects: 

Asociación ALLPA para el Desarrollo Sostenible, “Women of Santa Cruz and Andean Grains” – Peru. 
The purpose of this project is to create the necessary conditions so that the member families of the Cooandina cooperative can sell their Andean grains -Kiwicha and Quinoa- in a more equitable way in the commercial circuits. This will be achieved by eliminating the dependence on the collectors who pay low prices to the producers and keep most of the profits generated by the value chain, increasing the family income that will allow them to satisfy their personal and collective needs and aspirations.Bancalimentos SAS BIC, “Creation of green businesses run by rural women” – Colombia. 
Provide financial and technical resources and support to women to achieve socioeconomic mobility through the co-creation and implementation of productive units that manufacture and market products based on recycled raw materials from the recycling that Bancalimentos users deposit in their food savings accounts.Ecotarcoles, “Pacific Plastic Wood” – Costa Rica. 
Through the ¨Pacific Plastic Wood¨ program, a new system is established within coastal communities, which reintegrates marine plastic waste into the value chain under a circular and regenerative approach. They specialize in the design and production of 100% recycled plastic wood for the construction, agricultural and industrial fields. With the implementation of this project, they hope to scale the impact to other regions, diversify local products and services, and encourage better consumption habits that reduce pollution in the oceans.Foro Ambiental de Samaná, “Samana Destino del Futuro, Women Entrepreneurs Leading Sustainable Tourism” – Dominican Republic. 
This project seeks to support 36 MSMEs led by women entrepreneurs who offer products or services to national and international tourists in the province of Samaná in the Dominican Republic. The overall objective is for the women owners and employees of the 36 MSMEs to increase their income and sell quality products and services to domestic and foreign tourists using sustainability criteria and increasing their sense of collectivity.Fundación Centro Nacional de Producción Más Limpia, “MSME WOMEN Program” – El Salvador. 
The MSME WOMEN Program accompanies and empowers MSMEs led by women, through training, information, and personalized advice, which allows them to improve the management, performance and competitiveness of their businesses. The methodology is through practical learning and creative spaces that help promote innovative thinking. Through this project they propose to train women who lead MSMEs in financial education, cleaner production, business improvement techniques, digital marketing, among others.Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura (IICA), “Project to Strengthen the Local Institutional Framework for Women and Individual and Collective Microenterprises” – Guatemala. 
For this specific proposal, the Federation of Artexco Cooperatives, the Tikonel Association and the Itzacoope Cooperative will work together, focusing on women’s development. They will focus on the need to add value to products, especially handicrafts, and facilitate access to working capital, using the community bank methodology. They will also work on identifying markets in which they can place their products on a regular basis.PAQOCHA, “Connecting knowledge with the Culebrillas community in the province of Bolívar and scaling up the alpaca fiber value chain for the Paqocha company as part of the Green/Blue economy” – Ecuador. 
The project will work with the Sumak LLama association (Chimborazo) and the Culebrilllas community (Bolívar) on spinning techniques, natural dyeing, weaving design and commercial strengthening of PAQOCHA garments. The objective of this project is to strengthen the alpaca fiber value chain actors linked to the PAQOCHA company and increase sales. Capacity building will be generated to connect knowledge and increase the company’s production volume.Sector3 Social Venture Group, “Escala” – Perú. 
The ESCALA program will reach 60 women entrepreneurs with business training combining virtual workshops and face-to-face sessions. It will also seek to enhance the technological platform that Escala manages to provide more and better functionalities to these students as well as future generations of Escala.

About La RED de Innovación e Impacto (La RED)  
La RED is an initiative that brings together non-profit and for-profit organizations to support micro, small and medium-sized institutions (MSMEs) in order to promote sustainable economic growth and prosperity in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). La RED was born in 2014 through a selection process of organizations that have been accelerating the development of sustainable business and promoting economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. The project was funded by the U.S. Department of State (DoS) and implemented by the World Environment Center (WEC) and its partners Le Groupe-conseil Baastel ltée (Baastel) and RioSlum Studio until June 2021. As of July 2021, La RED is supported through the leadership of its own member organizations and coordinated by the Nucleo Biotecnología Curauma (NBC) of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso in Chile.  

https://www.laredinnovacionimpacto.com 

About World Environment Center (WEC)  
WEC is an independent, global non-profit, non-advocacy organization that promotes sustainable development through the business practices and operations of its member companies and in partnership with governments, multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, universities and other stakeholders. WEC’s mission is to promote business and its social value by advancing solutions to sustainable development related problems.

https://www.wec.org 

About Núcleo de Biotecnología de Curauma (NBC)  
NBC of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso is an R+D+i Center integrated by academics and professionals of excellence, with more than 10 years of experience in technological development, innovation and technology transfer in the area of science and technology. NBC seeks to make companies more productive, sustainable and competitive, visualizing itself in three years as a reference center to support Small and Mid-size Enterprises (SMEs) so they can increase their competitiveness. NBC develops innovative trends to face new economic, social and environmental challenges so we will live in a more sustainable world tomorrow. 

http://nbcpucv.cl 

About Le Groupe-conseil baastel ltée (Baastel)  
Baastel is recognized for its quality services in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Results Based Management (RBM), strategic planning, project and program management, and individual and institutional capacity building in these areas. Baastel’s outstanding reputation in the industry is built on a track record of international and national successes and expertise that is backed by attention to detail, quality, transparency and neutrality. 

https://baastel.com 

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Más de un millón de dólares se entregarán entre organizaciones que gestionan proyectos a beneficio de micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas lideradas por mujeres en Latinoamérica. 

August 1, 2023 /3BL/ – Representantes del Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos, el World Environment Center (WEC) y sus socios el Núcleo de Biotecnología de Curauma (NBC) y Baastel, realizaron la ceremonia de premiación de la primera edición del concurso “Empower Innovation Challenge” (EIC). Este concurso estuvo abierto a 10 países de Latinoamérica con el fin de apoyar la expansión de “La RED de Innovación e Impacto” (La RED).

Las ocho organizaciones ganadoras fueron: 

Bancalimentos SAS BIC, “Creación de empresas ecológicas dirigidas por mujeres rurales” – Colombia.Ecotarcoles, “Pacific Plastic Wood” - Costa Rica.PAQOCHA, “Conexión de saberes con la comunidad Culebrillas de la provincia de Bolívar y escalamiento en la cadena de valor de la fibra de alpaca para la empresa Paqocha como parte de la economía Verde/Azul” – Ecuador.Fundación Centro Nacional de Producción Más Limpia, “Programa MUJER MIPYME” – El Salvador.Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura (IICA), “Proyecto de Refuerzo del Marco Institucional Local de las Mujeres y de las Microempresas Individuales y Colectivas” – Guatemala.Asociación ALLPA para el Desarrollo Sostenible, “Mujeres de Santa Cruz y Granos Andinos” – Perú.Sector3 Social Venture Group, “Escala” – Perú.Foro Ambiental de Samaná, “Samana Destino del Futuro, Mujeres Emprendedoras Liderando el Turismo Sostenible” – República Dominicana.

La capacidad de las mujeres para acceder a los mercados, incluidos los servicios financieros, el crédito, el capital, los seguros, las tecnologías digitales y las redes, es fundamental para fomentar el espíritu empresarial de las mujeres y su seguridad económica general. El Global Equity and Equality Fund (GEEA) (gestionado por la Oficina de la Secretaría de Asuntos Globales de la Mujer del Departamento de Estado de EE.UU.) promueve la seguridad económica de las mujeres y las niñas facilitando su acceso a recursos, servicios y oportunidades de liderazgo, y abordando las barreras que limitan su capacidad para participar plenamente en la economía.

Los organizadores realizarán tres concursos online, siendo este el primero, con el fin de elegir soluciones innovadoras para potenciar el desarrollo de MIPYMEs administradas por mujeres y que generen un crecimiento más inclusivo en cada uno de los países participantes. En este caso los proyectos ganadores surgieron de organizaciones de la sociedad civil, instituciones educativas, centros enfocados en el desarrollo de pequeños negocios, así como de organizaciones dedicadas a implementar y promover soluciones sustentables en especial la prevención de la contaminación.

El proceso de selección de las organizaciones ganadoras fue liderado por un jurado multidisciplinario de expertos en la región. Estas ocho organizaciones conforman la primera cohorte de un total de 24 organizaciones que tiene proyectado beneficiar el donante. Cada organización va a recibir fondos no reembolsables para sus proyectos (de un año de duración) por un monto de de $50,000. Además, las galardonadas además se integrarán como nuevos miembros de la La Red de Innovación de Impacto, donde podrán conectarse con otras organizaciones de la región, compartir retos y aprendizajes, al tiempo que fortalecen sus capacidades ampliando sus redes de contacto.

Cada concurso del EIC se realizará una vez al año, hasta el año 2025, donde al finalizar se habrán beneficiado 24 organizaciones dedicadas a fomentar el crecimiento de la seguridad económica de la mujer en la región. Esta iniciativa está financiada por el Departamento de Estado de EE.UU. a través de la Oficina de la Secretaría de Asuntos Globales de la Mujer (S/GWI) 2021 Global Equity and Equality Action Fund. Financiada e implementada por la Oficina de Coordinación de Planificación de Políticas de Asuntos del Hemisferio Occidental (WHA/PPC).

Para información adicional puede contactar: 
Ernesto Samayoa, Director de operaciones de WEC: esamayoa@wec.org

Breve descripción de los proyectos ganadores: 

Asociación ALLPA para el Desarrollo Sostenible, “Mujeres de Santa Cruz y Granos Andinos” – Perú. 
El presente proyecto tiene por finalidad generar las condiciones necesarias, para que las familias socias de la cooperativa Cooandina puedan articular sus granos andinos -Kiwicha y Quinua- de manera más equitativa en los circuitos comerciales. Esto se logrará eliminando la dependencia de las personas acopiadoras que pagan precios bajos a las y los productores y se quedan con la mayor parte de las utilidades que genera la cadena de valor, incrementando los ingresos familiares que les permitirán satisfacer sus necesidades y aspiraciones personales y colectivas.Bancalimentos SAS BIC, “Creación de empresas ecológicas dirigidas por mujeres rurales” – Colombia. 
Brindar recursos financieros, técnicos y acompañamiento a mujeres para que logren una movilidad socioeconómica a partir de la co-creación y ejecución de unidades productivas que fabrican y comercializan productos con base en materia prima reciclada proveniente del reciclaje que los usuarios de Bancalimentos depositan en sus cuentas de ahorro alimenticias.Ecotarcoles, “Pacific Plastic Wood” - Costa Rica. 
A través del programa ¨Pacific Plastic Wood¨, se establece un nuevo sistema dentro de comunidades costeras, que reintegra los residuos plásticos marinos a la cadena de valor bajo un enfoque circular y regenerativo. Se especializan en el diseño y producción de madera plástica 100% reciclada para el campo de construcción, agrícola e industrial. Con la realización de este proyecto se espera escalar el impacto a otras regiones, diversificar los productos y servicios locales, y fomentar mejores hábitos de consumo que disminuyan la contaminación en los océanos.Foro Ambiental de Samaná, “Samana Destino del Futuro, Mujeres Emprededoras Liderando el Turismo Sostenible” – República Dominicana. 
A través de este proyecto se busca apoyar a 36 MIPyMES lideradas por mujeres emprendedoras, que ofrecen productos o servicios a turistas nacionales e internacionales de la provincia de Samaná en la República Dominicana. El objetivo general es que las mujeres dueñas y empleadas de las 36 MIPyMES aumenten sus ingresos y vendan productos y servicios de calidad a turistas nacionales y extranjeros usando criterios de sostenibilidad y aumentando su sentido de colectividad.Fundación Centro Nacional de Producción Más Limpia, “Programa MUJER MIPYME” – El Salvador. 
Desde el Programa MUJER MIPYME acompañan y empoderan a MIPYMES lideradas por mujeres, a través de formación, información, y asesorías personalizadas, que les permita mejorar la gestión, el desempeño y la competitividad de sus negocios. La metodología es a través de un aprendizaje práctico y espacios creativos que ayudan a promover el pensamiento innovador. A través de este proyecto se proponen capacitar a mujeres que lideran MiPYMEs en educación financiera, producción más limpia, técnicas de mejora empresarial, marketing digital, entre otros. Instituto Interamericano de Cooperación para la Agricultura (IICA), “Proyecto de Refuerzo del Marco Institucional Local de las Mujeres y de las Microempresas Individuales y Colectivas” – Guatemala. 
Para esta propuesta en específico, trabajarán de forma conjunta la Federación de Cooperativas Artexco, la Asociación Tikonel y la Cooperativa Itzacoope, con foco en el desarrollo de las mujeres. Se enfocarán en la necesidad de agregar valor a los productos especialmente artesanales y facilitar el acceso a capital de trabajo, utilizando la metodología de bancos comunales. También se trabajará en la identificación de mercados en los que puedan colocar de forma periódica sus productos.PAQOCHA, “Conexión de saberes con la comunidad Culebrillas de la provincia de Bolívar y escalamiento en la cadena de valor de la fibra de alpaca para la empresa Paqocha como parte de la economía Verde/Azul” – Ecuador. 
Se trabajará junto a la asociación Sumak LLama (Chimborazo) y la comunidad Culebrilllas (Bolívar) en; técnicas de hilado, tintura natural, diseño de tejidos y fortalecimiento comercial de las prendas PAQOCHA. Este proyecto tiene como objetivo fortalecer a los actores de la cadena de valor de la fibra de alpaca vinculados con la empresa PAQOCHA y aumentar las ventas. Se generará fortalecimiento de capacidades para conectar saberes, y escalar el volúmen de producción de la empresa.Sector3 Social Venture Group, “Escala” – Perú. 
Desde el programa ESCALA se alcanzará a 60 mujeres empresarias con capacitación empresarial combinando talleres virtuales y sesiones presenciales. Asimismo, se buscará potenciar la plataforma tecnológica que Escala maneja para brindar más y mejores funcionalidades a estas estudiantes así como futuras generaciones de Escala.

Acerca de La Red de Innovación e Impacto (La Red) 
La Red es una iniciativa que reúne a organizaciones, sin fines de lucro y con fines de lucro, para apoyar a las micro, pequeñas y medianas organizaciones instituciones (MIPYMES) con el fin de promover el crecimiento económico sostenible y la prosperidad en Latinoamérica y el Caribe (ALC). La Red nació en 2014 a través de un proceso de selección de organizaciones que han venido acelerando el desarrollo de negocios sostenibles y promoviendo el crecimiento económico en Latinoamérica y el Caribe. El proyecto fue financiado por el Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos y ejecutado por el Centro Mundial del Medio Ambiente (WEC) y sus socios Le Groupe-conseil baastel ltée (Baastel) y RioSlum Studio hasta junio de 2021. A partir de julio 2021, La Red se sustenta a través del liderazgo de sus propias organizaciones miembros y coordinada por el Núcleo de Biotecnología de Curauma (NBC) de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso en Chile.

https://www.laredinnovacionimpacto.com 

Acerca del World Environment Center (WEC) 
WEC es una organización sin fines de lucro neutral, independiente, global, que fomenta el desarrollo sostenible a través de las operaciones de sus empresas miembros y en alianza con gobiernos, organizaciones multilaterales, organizaciones no gubernamentales, universidades y otras partes interesadas. La misión de WEC es promover los negocios y su valor social fomentando soluciones a problemas relacionados con el desarrollo sostenible.

https://www.wec.org 

Acerca de Núcleo de Biotecnología de Curauma (NBC) 
NBC de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, es un Centro de I+D+i integrado por académicos y profesionales de excelencia, con más de 10 años de experiencia en desarrollo tecnológico, innovación y transferencia tecnológica en el área de ciencia y tecnología. El NBC busca hacer que las empresas sean más productivas, sostenibles y competitivas, visualizándose en tres años como un centro de referencia para apoyar a las pymes para que puedan aumentar su competitividad. NBCWe desarrolla tendencias innovadoras para afrontar los nuevos retos económicos, sociales y medioambientales para que mañana vivamos en un mundo más sostenible.

http://nbcpucv.cl 

Acerca de Le Groupe-conseil baastel ltée (Baastel) 
Baastel está reconocido por sus servicios de calidad en Monitoreo y Evaluación (M&E), Gestión Basada en Resultados (GBR), planificación estratégica, gestión de proyectos y programas y construcción de capacidad individual e institucional en estas áreas. La reputación sobresaliente de Baastel en la industria se ha estado construyendo sobre un historial de éxitos nacionales e internacionales y experiencia respaldada por la atención al detalle, calidad, transparencia y neutralidad.

https://baastel.com 

Founded in 2008, Pelotonia has raised $258 million for innovative cancer research and Bath & Body Works has been there since the beginning, donating more than $45 million over the past 14 years, the largest of any Pelotonia funding organization. Every dollar raised by participants is channeled into cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, including the Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology. As a centerpiece of its year-round fundraising efforts, Pelotonia hosts a multi-day experience that includes a weekend of cycling, entertainment and volunteerism. In 2022, Bath & Body Works raised more than $1.3 million with 727 individuals participating in Pelotonia’s three-day bike ride event (315 riders, 314 challenger fundraisers and 115 volunteers).

Pelotonia is one of Bath & Body Works’ biggest community engagement efforts, with internal events such as an online auction and pep rallies hosted in the weeks leading up to Ride Weekend. CEO Gina Boswell has taken the helm of Team Captain this year and will join hundreds of other Bath & Body Works associates on the ride. “For 15 years, Pelotonia has been changing the world by accelerating innovative cancer research and every year Bath & Body Works has been by its side,” says Boswell. “Our associates and company have contributed more than $45 million of the $258 million raised to end cancer. It is their inspiring and humbling actions that make me proud to join this year’s ride.”

We’ve worked hard to expand the campaign and create ways for all associates to participate. Our Distribution Center teams took part in a product sale with 100% of proceeds benefiting Pelotonia. The team also organized a cheer station to celebrate riders during Ride Weekend. Bath & Body Works store associates across the country showed their support and have donated more than $30,000 so far.

Bath & Body Works encourages and supports associate riders, volunteers and challengers in Pelotonia. The Bath & Body Works Foundation covers registration fees and matches any fundraising by associates who raise 50% of their goal. Going a step further, those who want to ride but don’t have bikes of their own can get bikes on loan from Bath & Body Works.

The company’s support of Pelotonia is something our associates take pride in. “Over the past 15 years, Bath & Body Works’ unwavering commitment to Pelotonia has funded and powered innovative therapies, fueling efforts to find a cure and the hope of one day eliminating cancer,” says Rhoe Fields, AVP, Community Relations & Philanthropy for Bath and Body Works. “Alongside the Pelotonia community, together, we will help heal and save countless lives. I am honored to champion and rally our associates to participate in such a worthy cause.”

Associates get involved for a variety of reasons, and for some participating in Pelotonia is personal. “I had surgery at The James Cancer Hospital after I was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that causes thyroid cancer,” says Bath & Body Works intern Emma Mitchell. “My Dad and my brother also have the same disorder and had the same surgery. I couldn’t be more grateful for the care we have been able to receive and the resources we have had access to through The James. I’m riding 50 miles this year.”

“The Beauty of Pelotonia lies in the fact that people from all walks of life, regardless of background or belief, are joining forces as one team with one goal: to end cancer,” says Burka Negeri, Bath & Body Works Logistics associate. “This spirit of unity drew me to the event and gives me hope for a healthier future.”

Bath & Body Works is proud of our continued support and our associates’ continued participation in Pelotonia. To learn more about Bath & Body Works community engagement and volunteerism initiatives, visit bbwinc.com.

Originally published in the 2022 FedEx Cares Report

Providing essential supplies in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian was one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S. In response, FedEx quickly mobilized relief efforts through our longstanding relationships with the American Red Cross, ASPCA, Direct Relief, Heart to Heart International, International Medical Corps, The Salvation Army, Team Rubicon, and World Central Kitchen. We worked with experts on the ground to assess needs and coordinate delivery of medicine, shelter, hygiene kits, food, and water. Included were 20,400 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) from the reserves FedEx has stationed across the country, which we donated to the American Red Cross. We also helped International Medical Corps deploy a mobile medical unit to provide wound care, prescription refills, flu shots, and general health consultations to the thousands of residents left without access to healthcare.

Our collaboration with FedEx has helped us, time and time again, deliver on our mission of saving lives and relieving the suffering of people affected by war, disease, and disaster. We could not be more grateful.

Rebecca Milner

Chief Advancement Officer for International Medical Corps

Acting fast to help Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona

A record 712,000 Puerto Rico households were impacted when Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico. We acted quickly to collaborate with nonprofits on the ground, delivering life-saving supplies and critical assistance to those in need.

12 PALLETS

We helped the International Medical Corps by transporting and storing 12 pallets with essential household supplies, hygiene kits, and medical equipment for distribution to affected healthcare facilities.

4,500 DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS

FedEx is a founding sponsor of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program. After Hurricane Fiona, they completed 4,500 damage assessments.

500 PEOPLE

We supported Direct Relief to deliver Emergency Medical Backpacks. Each one can serve as many as 500 people in need.

2,000 PEOPLE

We supported Heart International in the delivery of 4 pallets of hygiene kits to serve 2,000 people.

45 PALLETS

World Central Kitchen sent 45 pallets with 20,000 meal kits, LuminAid lights, generators, insulated food carriers, food containers, and cutlery to Miami to stage for distribution.

Recognition for our longstanding commitment to the Salvation Army

Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, National Commander of The Salvation Army U.S.A. presented FedEx Executive Chairman Frederick W. Smith and FedEx President and CEO Raj Subramaniam with their most prestigious honor, the Evangeline Booth Award. The award is in recognition of our team’s dedication, longstanding commitment, and community focus in being instrumental in expanding The Salvation Army’s ability to aid individuals and families in need around the world.

“We are in business to serve, in many ways. So, we’re proud to be able to accept this award.”

– Raj Subramaniam, FedEx President and CEO

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There is a hive of activity in the renewable energy space as Europe’s largest port stirs a pot of innovation to position green hydrogen as a key energy provider.

The Port of Rotterdam aims to combine smooth, effective shipping with pioneering sustainability plans for a cleaner and greener port to boost the European economy.

According to Porthos (Port of Rotterdam CO₂ Transport Hub and Offshore Storage), approximately 14 percent of the Netherlands’ CO₂ emissions come from the Rotterdam port area so the country has been working hard to develop a more positive environmental narrative through more sustainable operations at its thriving port.

Green hydrogen could provide 25 percent of the world’s energy requirements by 2050. By the same year, the Netherlands aims to achieve a CO₂-neutral energy management and fully circular industry, to prevent oil, coal and natural gas being the relied-upon energy source, as industry gravitates towards green hydrogen and sustainable electricity.

Over the next few months, in a series of blogs, I will be looking in more detail at the Port of Rotterdam’s hydrogen ecosystem, and how hydrogen will be imported, produced and distributed. I will also be showcasing the businesses, from the established major players to the forward-thinking start-ups, who will be playing their part.

How will green hydrogen boost operations at the port?

Green hydrogen (the name given to hydrogen produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen – via renewable energy-generated electrolysis) plays a key role in the clean energy transition.

Having set the bold target to recognise the Netherlands port as a key leader in the global energy transition, the port has started to undergo an impressive revamp, attracting new innovations such as a large-scale green hydrogen production network and biofuels to reduce carbon emissions and recycling activities to embrace a circular economy.

While the port is perfectly located for the energy transition, local companies must continue to carve a pathway to reduce their climate impact by developing robust relationships with other providers and embracing the array of technology to galvanise a global hydrogen economy.

The port is already home to established businesses such as Mitsubishi and Shell (the latter is transitioning from a classical oil and gas company towards a hydrogen industry) as well as ship and truck companies poised for hydrogen transportation.

Shell is building Holland Hydrogen I at the port, Europe’s largest green hydrogen plant, which is expected to be operational in 2025. The 200MW electrolyser is expected to produce up to 60 tonnes of renewable hydrogen per day and renewable power will come from an offshore wind farm, part-owned by Shell.

The Port of Rotterdam is focusing on a four-pillar strategy, structured to help achieve its goal and increase long-term efficiency. These pillars are divided into efficiency and infrastructure, a new energy system, new raw materials and fuels system and sustainable transport.

What are the challenges surrounding green hydrogen production?

I recently attended the Hydrogen (H2) Forum in Berlin to learn more about the three major challenges that the industry is facing. The first is price (hydrogen is still more expensive than coal), the second is infrastructure which requires an urgent overhaul and the third is sourcing the right workforce.

It is vital to hire talented and experienced engineers who can not only support the development of the port’s aspirations but also provide the right skill set for the hydrogen market to scale up.

While the port – regarded as the gateway to Europe – already has a supply chain in place with allocated storage space, the regular gas tanks will need to be replaced with fit-for-purpose hydrogen tanks which requires expertise and knowledge.

How can Acre support the green hydrogen transition at the port?

As a principal consultant specialising in sustainable energy at Acre, I have a deep-rooted passion for supporting the clean energy economy. I work closely with people to help create greater impact through their roles in the sustainability space.

As a result, I am particularly interested in how the port’s pillar strategy will oversee the development of a new workforce, equipped with the requisite high-level skill set to drive the hydrogen industry forward.

This new upcoming market can only be successful by embedding more skilled individuals who can accelerate hydrogen’s potential into something tangible, placing the port in a strong position to inspire and motivate other companies, ports and highly polluting industries in their quest to go carbon neutral.

The value of innovative start-ups

Collaboration and relationship building is also already well underway at the port, with the adoption of innovations from start-ups such as Battolyser Systems, the battery storage system producer.

The purpose-led tech company produces and charges batteries using wind or solar energy for storage. When the battery (a recyclable dual battery and electrolyser system) is full but continues to charge, it becomes an electrolyser and automatically produces hydrogen which can go into the grid system, used in industry, transportation or directly onto trucks to be delivered elsewhere.

This innovation produces green hydrogen at a lower cost, while balancing the grid and storing green energy which is invaluable to bolstering the hydrogen space.

How is hydrogen stored?

Hydrogen must be transferred from its gas state to liquid form predominantly for safety reasons and easier storage. Because gas expands wider than liquid, more hydrogen can be stored on ships as a liquid but infrastructure still needs to be developed and expanded to cope with storing vast amounts of hydrogen.

There is also activity under the sea, in the form of CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) which is a low-carbon method enabling green hydrogen to be produced at the lowest cost to decarbonise transport and heating.

What do you think?

Based on the high sustainability ambitions of the Port of Rotterdam, what challenges do you consider to be the most prevalent for the port and are there any innovations that strike the most impactful chord with you?

I would be interested to hear your views on the developments within the green hydrogen space, especially if you are interested in embarking on a new career and utilising your skill set as a force for good.

If you are a company based at the port and would like to share your story so far with us, I would welcome a discussion about your journey and how Acre, with 20 years’ experience in sustainability recruitment, could help you with your future hiring requirements similar to this.

Nancy is a Principal Consultant within Acre’s Sustainable Energy Team. She specialises in engineering, operations and business development recruitment within the Sustainable Energy Sector including Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Systems for the German Market. Prior to this, she was responsible for developing the Energy Sector within Germany and Europe in a German Recruitment firm for more than 4 years. Earlier she was working in a reputable consulting firm with the focus on the Energy Market. As a PMO she was part of big transformation and change processes of a global European Energy company. She holds a BA in Business Administration from Berlin School of Economics. She is fluent in German and English and advanced in Dutch.

At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy.

Our 18 years’ experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change.

Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too.

We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations.

Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow.

August 1, 2023 /3BL/ – The global Remediation Working Group is hosting a webinar on the topic of reusing building materials from demolished buildings on September 7, register here!

Building Contamination: Turning Demolished Waste into Building Materials

The practice of reusing materials from demolished buildings not only aligns with the principles of a circular economy but is also gaining significant traction. One of the key challenges in this process is ensuring the safety of these materials. During our webinar, we will explore real-life examples delving into the various aspects of managing the quality of building materials throughout the recycling process, including pre-demolition surveys, cleanup procedures, and supervision.

Denmark:

We will delve into the innovative practices being implemented in Denmark to ensure the safe reuse of materials from demolished buildings. Join us as we discuss the Danish legal requirements for circular construction, which prioritizes the exclusion of environmentally hazardous substances. We will also explore the challenges and solutions associated with safely reusing materials, as well as the new procedures and requirements for removing environmentally hazardous substances and recycling materials. Additionally, we will highlight the importance of documentation in new construction, with a focus on promoting reuse and recycling

UK:

In the UK, our presentation will focus on promoting the circular economy in UK Construction and ensuring proper management of building hygiene. We will discuss the UK’s approach to assessing and decontaminating asbestos from pre-demolition buildings. We will also highlight the importance of separating hazardous materials, such as asbestos, prior to demolition and the potential consequences if this is not done. Furthermore, we will share case studies that demonstrate how legal compliance, positive building hygiene, and the use of suitable materials can contribute to promoting the circular economy.

Belgium:

From Belgium, we will be covering the traceability of waste from the demolition of buildings and other constructions, with a focus on maximizing the recycling of materials.

Drawing from our expertise, Inogen Alliance can provide assistance in establishing a comprehensive system for reusing building materials, including administration and technical safeguards.

This webinar will be facilitated by the Remediation Working Group leader Heikki Kalle from DGE Estonia, with presenters including Rikke Syndergaard from DGE Denmark; Chris Wood from Lucion Group UK; and Theo Cavens from Antea Group Belgium.

Make sure to register here for the webinar and live Q&A, or watch for the recording on-demand.

 

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn.

A message from Richard Bynum, PNC’s chief corporate responsibility officer 

What is a bank’s role? At PNC, we understand that we are a pillar of each community we serve. We strive to be good stewards of our resources, to be fair to our customers and to provide not just jobs but rewarding career opportunities for employees. Conducting business on the strong foundation of our core values affords us the opportunity to thrive and become a good corporate citizen along the way.

Our core values, listed in the 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report, were set in place many years ago because they are tenets of good business. Over the years we’ve learned that operating our business in line with those core values helps us to deliver for our customers, employees, communities and shareholders. We empower prosperity for all by adhering to our values.

As the pace of change across our industry and our nation accelerates, our focus remains clear and we continue moving forward as a company, building on that notion of empowering prosperity for our stakeholders.

Continue reading Richard Bynum’s letter to our stakeholders and the 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report in its entirety on pnc.com.

Originally published in Owens Corning’s 2022 Sustainability Report

In 2022, Owens Corning announced the promotion of David Rabuano to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO). In the first year in his new role, David has led the effort to accelerate the next phase of our sustainability journey. In this report and Q&A, we are pleased to formally introduce David to all our stakeholders and discuss Our Mission at Work to further integrate sustainability into all aspects of our business.

Click here to watch the video and read the transcript. 

“I have a holistic view of sustainability and what it’s going to take to achieve our goals.”

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RESTON, Va., August 1, 2023 /3BL/ – CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) announced today that it launched a new, breakthrough program designed to give full-time employees more flexibility. The program, called Flexible Time Off (FTO), allows employees to better balance their work and personal commitments by providing them the opportunity to take time off as needed without a set number of maximum days per year. It also differentiates and strengthens CACI’s positioning as a highly sought-after employer in efforts to recruit and retain top talent.

“As workforce expectations have evolved, particularly in the last three to four years, the need to support an environment that better accommodates life’s balancing acts has become clear. FTO does just that,” said John Mengucci, President and Chief Executive Officer of CACI. “This innovative and opportune benefit will help us continue to retain our current talent and attract the next generation of talent we are seeking in this highly competitive job market.”

CACI prides itself on offering robust employee engagement platforms, including unique recognition programs, internal mobility, technical development, and regular feedback mechanisms. CACI also conducts biennial all-employee surveys and sequential results have shown that two of the benefits that resonate most are time off and flexibility. This new FTO program combines both of those benefits, while also encouraging accountability and teamwork to ensure the job and the mission are always accomplished.

“At CACI, we excel by combining our leading-edge technology with exceptional expertise to address our customers’ toughest challenges. Our employees and recruits are drawn to our exciting, innovative culture, as well as our tremendous impact in the critical national security space. Collectively and individually, they will never back down from honoring our commitments to our customers. Having the extra element of flexibility that FTO offers them will make their lives easier and dedication even stronger,” said Mengucci.

This year, CACI was named a World’s Most Admired Company by Fortune for the 12th year and an Energage Top Workplace USA for the third consecutive year. For the past three years, CACI was recognized as a Top Tech Workplace and included on several regional Top Workplaces lists. Among many other accolades, CACI has been listed on Forbes Magazine’s Best Employers for Veterans, for Women, and for Diversity for multiple years in a row.

About CACI 
CACI’s approximately 22,000 talented employees are vigilant in providing the unique expertise and distinctive technology that address our customers’ greatest enterprise and mission challenges. Our culture of good character, innovation, and excellence drives our success and earns us recognition as a Fortune World’s Most Admired Company. As a member of the Fortune 1000 Largest Companies, the Russell 1000 Index, and the S&P MidCap 400 Index, we consistently deliver strong shareholder value. Visit us at www.caci.com.

There are statements made herein which do not address historical facts, and therefore could be interpreted to be forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in CACI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, and other such filings that CACI makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Any forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon and only speak as of the date hereof.

# # #

Corporate Communications and Media: 
Lorraine Corcoran 
Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications 
(703) 434-4165, lorraine.corcoran@caci.com

Investor Relations: 
Daniel Leckburg, 
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations 
(703) 841-7666, dleckburg@caci.com

Originally published in International Paper’s 2022 Sustainability Report

Central to our commitment to support forest ecosystems globally is collaboration with our longstanding partners. We meet this commitment by:

Working directly with wood suppliers and forest landowners to promote sustainable management practicesEngaging stakeholders in the communities where we operateCollaborating with conservation organizations to enhance ecologically important areas and restore forests worldwide

To help us achieve our goals of conserving and restoring 1 million acres of ecologically significant forestland by 2030, we’ve engaged in long-standing strategic partnerships — not only with local forest landowners, but also with numerous local and global organizations.

We are one of the first five U.S. companies to join Forests Forward, World Wildlife Fund’s signature program for corporate action in support of nature, climate and people. IP and WWF are collaborating to drive continued improvements in our responsible fiber sourcing and to develop robust science-based targets applicable to forests.

Roughly one-third of the world’s population has a close dependence on forests and forest products.

Through our membership in the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Forest Solutions Group, we’ve joined global efforts to support the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Our support champions the critical role of healthy forest ecosystems in water quality, clean air, biodiversity and mitigating climate change.

Our Strategic Partnerships in Forest Sustainability

Forestland Stewards Partnership with National Fish and Wildlife FoundationAmerican Bird ConservancyAmerican Forest FoundationArbor Day FoundationCelebrate Planet EarthWBCSD Forest Solutions GroupThe Nature ConservancyWWF’s Forests Forward Program

90% of IP’s U.S. fiber supply comes from the nearly 60% of forestland that is privately owned, most by small businesses and families. 

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of planet-friendly packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of North America’s largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what’s next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2022 were $21.2 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting InternationalPaper.com.

About International Paper – EMEA

In Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and pulp, employing approximately 4,200 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Pulp production is centered in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include Kraft linerboard and recycled containerboard, as well as pulp.

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