SOCIAL ENGAGEMENTCONTRIBUTING TO THRIVING COMMUNITIES

Drei Menschen umarmen sich innig bei den Special Olympics.

Paving the way to a viable and sustainable future for all with passion and commitment – that is one of our ambitions as "Pioneers at heart for the good of generations". Organizations and private initiatives around the world rely on the support of people who are willing to help on a voluntary basis.

Our volunteering initiative "Make an impact on tomorrow" (MIT) has been driving employee and retiree engagement for over 25 years and has supported over 18,000 projects in more than 100 countries worldwide. Henkel helps not only through financial and in-kind donations but also by granting paid leave to employees to make a difference locally. Active and former Henkel colleagues lend a hand where help is needed and make small contributions to a better world: They build homes for those in need, cheer on athletes at the Special Olympics or support a Ugandan orphanage. Not only do they bring lasting change, but they also gain unforgettable memories.

Help where help is needed: Bringing change trough different kinds of volunteering

At Henkel, there are three ways to volunteer: individual volunteering, team volunteering and skill-based volunteering. These three different types enable employees to get involved in social projects according to their preferences and skills. At the same time, the projects as well as the NGOs that we collaborate with benefit from the wide range of support, whether it’s through individual time off, the organization of team projects or the allocation of professional expertise.

Many Henkel employees are privately involved in projects that are close to their hearts. If they encounter limitations during their social engagement, they can receive various forms of support from Henkel, such as paid time off, product donations or financial assistance.

Team volunteering is organized by Henkel itself. This means the company creates opportunities for employees to volunteer together for projects, such as the Special Olympics or Trashfighter.

With skill-based volunteering, Henkel enquires in advance the needs of NGOs to learn which specific skills are particularly useful to them. Based on this information, employees can apply for positions that match their expertise. In doing so, NGOs can benefit from highly qualified professionals who can make a significant impact.

Insights into our voluntary work

60 Henkel volunteers cheer at the Special Olympics in a group photo.

Two volunteers carry the Special Olympics Flame.

A swimmer taking part in the Special Olympics looks into the camera, smiling and cheering.

A group of Henkel volunteers is cheering on athletes at the Special Olympics

Six athletes stand on the podium at the Special Olympics and raise their arms in the air.

The large stadium in Berlin, where the Special Olympics 2023 took place, is full of people and lit up with colorful lights.

Sport beyond borders at the Special Olympics
Under the motto #UnbeatableTogether the Special Olympics World Games 2023 brought together over 6,500 athletes from all over the world. A team of 60 Henkel volunteers was present to support and cheer for the athletes and together break down walls to a more inclusive society

Together for a greener world: Trashfighter
Our global sustainability project "Trashfighter" has already mobilized over 1,300 employees worldwide to actively reduce plastic waste by removing trash from riversides, parks and cities to raise awareness for waste issues.

A group of volunteers cheers as they join the event to collect thrash.

A woman throws a plastic cup into a thrash bag.

Two volunteers collect thrash with waste pickers during a rubbish collection event on a riverbank.

A group of volunteers collects thrash with waste pickers during a thrash collection event on a riverbank.

The wall of the Tamaho School has been colorfully painted by volunteers.

Two young children sit next to each other and hold up their hands.

A group of small children high-five a volunteer.

Five children stand next to each other in colorful clothes and make funny poses.

A large group cheers and raises their arms in the air.

Creating opportunities for a better future
At its plant in Gauteng, South Africa, Henkel supports a small community to provide underprivileged children with early childhood education and help them to pave their way to a better future through the Tamaho Early Learning Center. For over a decade, the Tamaho Center has been offering children the chance to learn, grow and achieve their dreams – supported by Henkel employees’ active engagement as well as financial assistance through the company.

Hands-on support in Uganda
Henkel employee Gabi Haak founded the association "Peace's Hope" in 2017 to help support the "Sonrise Ministries" initiative, which runs three orphanages in Uganda and is committed to the well-being of the community. Every year, she and her association organize team trips to the orphanages to lend a hand – together with fellow Henkel employees.

A group of volunteers in Uganda smiles at the camera.

A volunteer fetches water from the pump together with the kids from the orphanages.

The volunteers and children sit on the floor and paint.

The volunteers teach a group of children the macarena dance.

A group of volunteers in protective clothing poses for a group photo.

Two volunteers with helmets on their heads smile at the camera and stand in front of a scaffold on which two other helpers are standing.

A volunteer uses a hammer on a building site.

Many volunteers work on a construction site.

Building houses and giving hope
As part of our so-called "Baureisen" (building trips), Henkel employees collaborate with the non-profit organization "Habitat for Humanity" to build houses for families in need in countries such as Romania, Poland and the USA.