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Giving back to the community

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As global trade continues to grow, multinational companies are able to extend their influence ever further.

Yet along with this expansion comes a responsibility to play an increasingly important role in supporting the local communities in which they operate.

This involvement can span a variety of initiatives and activities, from developing local infrastructure to promoting healthcare and education, and supporting cultural events. Companies also have an interest in enhancing the job skills of local residents and in supporting local community and business development.

A strategic investment

To many large companies this involvement creates a stable business environment and nurtures what is effectively their labour pool.

Cynics may argue that dipping into corporate coffers to fund such projects is no more than a public relations exercise. The reality is often very different, for community programmes frequently require the active involvement of people at all levels in an organization, who freely contribute their time and skills to a successful outcome.

G4S companies are encouraged to play an active role in supporting their communities

G4S launched the “Community Support Award” during 2005 to recognise those businesses and individual employees who make a significant contribution to the community in which they are based.

Nigel Lockwood, of G4S Group Communications, hopes that the award will promote even greater commitment to community work throughout its operations.

“The aim of the award is to recognise achievement and encourage further involvement from G4S employees and businesses,” he says. “It also serves to provide examples of best practice to those who have not yet developed a community programme.”

G4S Security Services (Hong Kong) - winner of  the 2006 Community Support Award

The winner of the 2006 award was G4S Security Services (Hong Kong) which has maintained and developed an excellent corporate citizenship programme over recent years.

They have endeavoured to forge strong links with the community by working closely with the Hong Kong Labour Department in providing basic training to youths and encouraging organisations to hire young people who have no work experience. G4S Security Services (Hong Kong) not only provides job opportunities but also helps through the provision of mock interviews and other job training skills.

G4S Security Services (Cyprus) is a good example of how the Group and its employees give back to the community.

A long-term participant in the Radiomarathon, an annual Cypriot event that raises money for disabled and handicapped children, the company has been supporting the event since it was set up 17 years ago and today helps organise the Radiomarathon’s festival of fun which features shows and activities for children.

G4S Security Services (Cyprus) pays a considerable part of the costs, provides all security free of charge and distributes leaflets to publicise the event.

G4S supporting the Radiomaration in Cyprus		The Hong Kong company also provides help to disabled people through the Handicapped Employment Scheme, extending opportunities to those who are often unfairly neglected in the workplace. The company has employed people with hearing difficulties to work in the coin centre and fleet management, as well as hiring people with sight problems for the handling of incoming enquiries.

Harry Harkins, G4S (Hong Kong)’s general manager of business development, says the company has benefited hugely from this.

“We benefit not only from the positive exposure but also from the feeling of well-being amongst the participants,” he observes. “By participating and being part of the community, we create a greater sense of purpose and ownership.”

Multinational companies are often viewed as exploitative. Yet this is not borne out by the facts; most large companies do their best to help and nurture the communities in which they are based. Indeed, without investment in that most vital commodity no company can expect a prosperous long-term future.

This page is an edited version of the article by Martin Sayers featured in the March 2007 edition of International.
Download the full article: application/pdf Giving back to the Community
G4S: Supporting the Lady of Nazarene School in Kenya

Shortcut Links

  • Group 4 Securicor, which provides security services in over 100 countries, recognises its responsibility in the field of community relations.

    As a multinational organisation with over 470,000 employees it has the potential to create a real impact in the areas in which it operates.

    For more information about our community involvement, please see our Corporate Citizenship section
BP, one of the world’s largest energy companies, for example, has taken a proactive role in protecting and nurturing local communities and making specific contributions to local projects. BP spokesman Robert Wine explains that the company is investing for the future.

“By helping and supporting local communities we are developing the people, industry and services which will then be able to maintain our own operations over 25–40 years.”

International steel group Corus is another multinational that places great importance on supporting the community. As a company it strives to harmonise its success with a responsibility to society in general. In the Netherlands, where it has deep roots, Corus organises a national chess tournament, sponsors several small football clubs and is involved in community safety initiatives.

Corus also has a large presence in South Wales where the company invests hundreds of thousands of pounds every year in educational, environmental and social projects.