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Today, Iberdrola rounds off a week of activities related to ‘International Volunteers’ Day’ which, this year and despite the specific conditions required by Covid-19, involved over 4,000 employees from ten countries in which it operates.

Over this last week, employees from Spain, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Belgium and Portugal, under the slogan 'Together We are Continuing to Build the World We Want to See', have carried out more than 60 charitable initiatives related to caring for the environment, the inclusion of vulnerable groups and the social emergency, in particular by helping vulnerable families in the back to school process, through the donation of food packs and school equipment packs.

Iberdrola volunteers and their families also shared these actions with other vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities and the elderly, who are the ones who are suffering the most from the lockdown.

This year, the health restrictions connected to the pandemic have made it necessary to adapt the format of the actions, which have been carried out virtually. In Spain, more than 1,900 volunteers have participated in 20 activities, from charity runs, reforestation, building shelters for the protection of endangered species, bird watching and recording, making toys to promote cognitive development and the psychomotor skills of people with intellectual disabilities and the elderly, to sports workshops, inclusive leisure activities, storytelling employing the easy reading technique and support aimed at reducing the emotional effects of lockdown on the elderly and dependent people.

In the other strategic geographical areas, employees have collaborated in global and also local projects focusing on the reforestation of natural areas, raising awareness about caring for the environment, promoting inclusion and aid in response to the social emergency, above all through the provision of vital basic foods and education. To do this, they took part in different charity runs in which with the money raised for all the miles run translated into the donation of food packs for vulnerable families.

Iberdrola volunteers made the charitable video "By Your Side", aimed at highlighting their work and explaining what it means to be a volunteer: “putting a lot of energy and enthusiasm into building together the world we want to see” (https://www.iberdrola.com/about-us/society/corporate-volunteering).

In Mexico, volunteers have manufactured charity masks that will be donated to institutions devoted to the employment, education and support of people with hearing disabilities. They have also carried out activities related to environmental conservation and awareness regarding climate change, through educational content on the Educaclima tool in the country's schools, the creation of gardens for hummingbirds and endangered bird species and the holding of a sustainable film festival.

In Brazil, volunteers’ activities have been related to cleaning the local environment, taking part in a charity gymkhana to collect donations of food and personal hygiene materials that they will donate to various NGOs that work with the homeless.

In the UK, employees have taken part in a green raffle with the aim of eliminating unnecessary plastics and raising awareness about caring for the planet. In addition, they have held recycling workshops to turn common household plastic waste into fun items for the home, as well as making donations of trees.

In the US, activities have focused on improving the homes of vulnerable persons, in addition to those aimed at meeting basic food needs.

Over 6,000 volunteership opportunities for all 365 days of the year

This initiative forms part of Iberdrola´s Corporate Volunteer programme, launched in 2006, as part of its commitment to support the involvement of its teams in the situation faced by society's most disadvantaged, turning them into agents for change. The project is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which the company has integrated into its strategy. Specifically, this programme focuses on goals number 7 (affordable and clean energy), 13 (climate action), 3 (good health and well-being), 4 (quality education) and 10 (reduced inequalities).

Every year, the company offers its employees more than 6,000 volunteer opportunities, with the aim of rallying the talent, time and energy of its professionals with the aim of improving our society.

The programme has received a number of accolades, including the Innovation Award 2018 in the Private Sector category, granted by the IMPACT2030 network (a private sector and UN initiative). Furthermore, in 2016 the company received a Special Mention from the King of Spain, on the occasion of the celebration of the first decade of its International Programme in 2016. The year before, International Cooperation awarded it the Most Caring Company award.